Ipswich native to be inducted into S.D. Sports Hall of Fame

The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame has made its selections for 2023.

Fifteen people plus eight deceased sports legends from across the state will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 24, 2023 in Sioux Falls.

Ipswich native Harvey Hammrich is one of the legends nominees. He was a member of Ipswich's 1952 State B basketball championship team. He earned first team all-state and all tourney awards. He attended SDSU where he played football, basketball and baseball, earning three letters in football and three in baseball. After college he was drafted by baseball's St. Louis Cardinals, but instead went into the Army.

Hammrich was an athletic director for 38 of his 41 years in education (26 at Watertown, 1977-2003; 12 at Webster,1965-77; and three at Eureka, 1962-65). He also coached football, basketball and track at Eureka and football, wrestling and track at Webster. Hammrich was tourney director for more than 40 state tournaments at Watertown. He won numerous state and national athletic director awards. He was also, a college and high school official for many years.

He passed away in 2021.

Nearly 400 people have been nominated in 2023. The Hall of Fame will have 356 members.

The 2023 inductees include:

• Scott Bosanko, Aberdeen: Northern State basketball star drafted in the NBA

• Linda Collignon, Madison: Established the dominant Madison High School gymnastics program

• Marlyn Goldhammer, Wagner: Long time director of the SDHSAA

• Chuck Iverson, Vermillion: All-time great basketball player at University of South Dakota

• Clarence Kooistra, Salem: 221 football wins at Garretson in a 31 year coaching career

• Don Larson, Madison: record setting track coach at North Dakota State University

• Jerry Miller, White Lake: Longtime coach and among the foremost states sports historians

• Dave Mydland, Sioux Falls: Responsible for South Dakota competing in Senior Baseball

• Terry Nielsen, Sioux Falls: Put in thousands of hours for state Tennis Association, Howard Wood track, more.

• Mark Ovenden, Sioux Falls: Over 45 years as radio and television broadcaster in Sioux Falls

• Jim Schlekeway, Britton: Outstanding basketball player and coach at many levels

• Bryan Schwartz, Miller: All-around athlete who spent several years in the NFL

• Brad Seely, Baltic: Longtime assistant coach in the NFL

• Dawn Seiler, McLaughlin: All-time winningest girls basketball coach in state history, most notably at Aberdeen Central

• Jeff Turning Heart, Cheyenne-Eagle Butte: One of the best distance runners ever, including as a national high school All-American in 1980

They are joined by the other inductees going in under the Legends category.

• Don Baker, Scotland: Coached multiple sports at the college level

• Gene Breemes, Phillip: Established Rapid City Stevens as a track and cross country power

• Lien Marso, Harrold: Outstanding athlete in high school and at South Dakota State

• Dean Minder, Wilmot: Sportswriter, baseball coach and umpire in Mitchell

• Mattie Goff Newcombe, White Owl: World champion female rodeo trick rider in the 1920's

• Mike Roach, Rapid City Cathedral: 42-year football coach at multiple levels

• Joe Thorne, Beresford: SDSU athlete who traded pro career for military service

The South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame was started in 1968 by the South Dakota Sportswriters Association. The Hall of Fame is now run by a committee of over 30 volunteers from across the state.

Ticket information for the banquet will be announced later.