The Dagel Family Supports Student-Athletes

Jackrabbit football and basketball games are events the Dagel family enjoy together. Scott, Karla, and their twins, Joe and Hattie, pile into the car and head to Brookings where the season ticket holders meet up with their current SDSU students, Jackson and Anna. Sometimes, even their eldest, Sarah, drives up from Omaha.

"I like reuniting with other alumni and college friends," said Scott, a 1988 economics graduate who works as a certified financial advisor and planner in Watertown, SD.

"Although I'm not a graduate, I look forward to SDSU games just as much as the rest of my family," Karla explained.

In addition to cheering for Jackrabbit athletes from the bleachers, Scott and Karla support them financially. They make annual contributions to the Jackrabbit Club and made Jackrabbit Athletics a beneficiary of Scott's IRA.

"Supporting these athletes financially was an easy decision because we respect their commitment and dedication," Scott said.

"They are top-shelf, Division 1 athletes who are extremely competitive on the field or court, as well as academically successful."

Whether as a spectator or participant, athletics have always been something Scott enjoyed. Growing up in rural South Dakota, he spent his summers doing farm work and playing softball. He played basketball, football, and track for Waverly High School. Not ready to give up athletics when he enrolled at SDSU, Scott played intramural football.

Scott explained he was familiar with the university because both of his parents are alumni. Growing up on a farm, he initially planned to pursue an agriculture-related degree. In fact, the first semester of his freshman year, he even considered quitting school and heading home. But times were tough on the farm in the mid-'80s, so his parents encouraged him to stay in school and pursue another one of his interests – economics.

"I remember that conversation vividly. I was in my dorm room, Matthews Hall room 351, talking to my parents, letting them know I didn't know if college was right for me. They said I was in a good place and I needed to see it out."

Scott's glad he followed their advice. "In order to have the career I have today, the foundation I have in economics is critical."

To keep the family farm afloat, both of his parents worked. His dad, Tom, taught high school agriculture education classes and his mom, Carol, was an elementary school teacher. "I'm from a strong family of educators. Education is still very important to our family," Scott said.

In addition to helping finance college for their own children, Scott said he and Karla believe they should also provide opportunities for student-athletes today, as well as in the future through their estate plan.

"Sure, we have financial demands of family and putting multiple kids through school, but by working with the SDSU Foundation's Office of Gift Planning, we received information and options that empowered us to act on a strategy that is right for our family and allows us to incorporate SDSU athletics within the context of our estate plan," explained Scott, who is familiar with the process because he helps his own clients with their estate plans. "I appreciate the process – more importantly, I'm excited about the outcome."

The Dagels are motivated by the fact their dollars help ensure finances don't stand in the way of a student-athlete completing their degree.

"Some of the dollars we give go to scholarships. Financial resources should not be a roadblock to receiving an education," Scott said. "Because of the farm economy, things were tough financially for my family when I was in school, so if it wasn't for the financial help I received, I know I couldn't have made it through."

As a member of the SDSU Foundation Council of Trustees, Scott hears similar testimonials from students. "I get to see many ways the dollars given to the university have a positive impact on students today."

To date, all of Scott and Karla's children chose SDSU. "Of course, they had the choice to go somewhere else, but I'm proud they chose SDSU. We believe in everything happening at SDSU. We trust SDSU with our children and our finances," Scott said.