The South Dakota Hall of Fame's mission is "To Champion a Culture of Excellence". Our purpose is to Honor, Inspire, Preserve, and Educate others about the rich histories of Excellence in South Dakota and beyond.
Recognizing everyday excellence throughout South Dakota. Learn more about the individuals and organizations who are championing excellence every day in South Dakota.
Each year, up to ten outstanding South Dakotans are inducted into the Hall of Fame for their achievements that inspire our youth, lead the generations and build our future.
A one-of-a-kind collection of South Dakota Champions. Visit our website to get to know the over 792 Inductees through video, audio, interactive games, and photos.
Our educational program tells the inspiring stories of South Dakota’s Champions for Excellence while helping teachers fulfill curriculum requirements in core subjects with a comprehensive digital collection.
Our Visitor & Education Center in Chamberlain, South Dakota is an inspiration of interactive and hands-on exhibits highlighting the Champions and our state’s excellence. Open year round.
Hugh Ingalls (1929-2025) a 2024 South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee, and his wife Eleanor Ingalls (1930-2025), both passed away in February 2025, just 8 days apart.
Our stories shape our legacies and form bridges between generations. Meet South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductees telling the story of South Dakota
Craig Lloyd (1948-2025), a 2015 South Dakota Hall of Fame Inductee, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.
U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today introduced the Marcella LeBeau Recognition Act to designate the federal office building in Pierre as the “Marcella LeBeau Federal Building.”
Watch the Class of 2024 Inductees give their acceptance speeches during the 2024 Honors Ceremony and 50th Anniversary Celebration Weekend.
Reflect on the lives of extraordinary individuals inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame who are no longer with us.
Through your charitable donations, we are able to elevate the achievements of excellence in South Dakota, and keep numbers like these on the rise. Be a part of the impact and champion a culture of excellence—give today.
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SOUTH DAKOTA COUNTIES
STATEWIDE PROGRAMMING
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EDUCATIONAL PAGES
LEGENDS & LEARNING
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RECOGNIZED ACTS
ACTS OF EXCELLENCE
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INDUCTEE STORIES
LEGACIES OF ACHIEVEMENT
Jim Entenman joined 2021 Inductee, friend, and nominator Angela Kennecke to discuss his life and legacy in this newest podcast episode.