Generations of Generosity
When it comes to philanthropy, Scott Ramsdell ’75 has learned by example about giving back – and it’s an example he continues to model for his own family.
In the Midwest, the Ramsdell family (known for their egg production business, Dakota Layers) has become synonymous with generosity. Signs of their investments can be found across several initiatives for Jackrabbit Athletics, particularly with the Dakota Layers Deck in First Bank & Trust Arena. Now, the Ramsdell family’s latest commitment will serve to put Jackrabbit Soccer on the map through a lead gift to construct a new soccer facility on campus.
When asked about the family’s motivation to pilot the soccer facility project, Scott describes the decision as a natural next step for a long line of philanthropists with a passion for funding opportunities for students. The Ramsdells trace their legacy at South Dakota State back to the late 1800s, when the first generation of the family attended the pharmacy school. Scott’s grandfather, father, and some of his siblings also took up the family tradition, as did Scott's son, Jason ’09, and daughter-in-law, Tracy (Olson) ’10. Today, the Ramsdell lineage has now progressed to their sixth generation of Jackrabbits, with Scott and his wife, Lani’s, grandson currently studying agriculture at the university. (Scott himself majored in economics and minored in soils.)
[Philanthropy] is in our genealogy, our DNA. We’ve always been taught to give back. My dad did it, and I think it goes back generations.
— Scott Ramsdell
Growing up, Scott remembers his visits to campus with his parents, both alums, as a rare treat. He fondly recalls staring up at the Campanile as the family cruised through campus on their monthly excursions to see the university and feast on ten-cent burgers. Nowadays, Scott and his family – including daughters Kari, Kelley, and Alison, and son Jason, along with a large roster of grandkids – still make regular visits to campus to take in as many athletic events as they can, and they’re looking forward to adding trips to the new soccer stadium to their busy calendar.
Though it’s one of SDSU’s newer sports, the soccer program has more than demonstrated its readiness for a new level of playing field. Since the team was officially formed in 2000, Jackrabbit Soccer has taken the competition by storm. The team’s growth and commitment to excellence has led to nine NCAA tournaments, 16 championships, 98 All-Summit League honorees including 58 first team selections, 23 Summit League Yearly Award Honors, and 18 NSCAA/USC All-Region selections, with one NSCAA All-American. In 2025, the team won its third consecutive Summit League Tournament championship.
The Ramsdells are ready to give Jackrabbit Soccer credit where credit is due, complete with a premier facility to usher in a new era for the program.
“We believe that sometimes the female athletics system in general doesn’t get the focus it should, and, at SDSU, we are so fortunate to have the coaches and teams that we have. We felt this was an opportunity to participate in something that would be really great for the kids and for the college overall,” says Scott.
The new, state-of-the-art home for the soccer program will move the main competition facility from Fishback Soccer Park to a more centralized, on-campus location. The new stadium will be situated east of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on the corner of Jackrabbit Avenue and North Campus Drive, marking an official milestone of putting Jackrabbit Soccer on the campus map.
The Ramsdells’ commitment also marks the largest in support of a women’s-only athletics initiative in the history of the university.
“This is going to be a facility that will be as good as anything in the country. I think that every person at SDSU should be proud of that,” Scott explains. “This facility shows the team that we do care, and we do want to be there for them.”
Scott and the rest of the Ramsdells have bold expectations for the project’s impact, anticipating that the new facility will help to bolster recruitment efforts for the program while significantly enhancing the fan experience for the yellow and blue community. The family even had the chance to meet with the student-athletes when the major gift was announced, and it’s an experience Scott won’t soon forget.
“Those players are so happy to have this opportunity, and we’re happy to give them that opportunity,” he reflects. “We believe in what we’re doing, and I’m excited to get up there and watch some games.”
Looking back at the Ramsdell family tree, it’s clearly rooted in generosity and giving back to students. Scott lights up when he describes how each branch has a unique story to tell, each generation tied to meaningful philanthropy and investment in their communities.
“In those stories, you can see that those generations were a very tight family, and they helped each other when they needed it,” says Scott. “Those that were successful shared their success with other people, and that’s what we think is important.”
By learning from those examples and modeling similar values, Scott and his family have ensured their own story includes a transformative gift that will make all the difference for Jackrabbit Soccer.