Moriarty Supports Softball on Father's Home Turf

Jackrabbits are everywhere, and connections to South Dakota State University can be forged in even the most unlikely of places.

In the case of Kevin Moriarty, a chance encounter in the Denver International Airport ignited his passion for SDSU, leading to both the largest single gift in the history of the university’s softball program and to a meaningful chance to honor his late father, Jerald.

Growing up near campus, Jerald decided to continue his education at SDSU, graduated in 1961 with a degree in microbiology. Following commencement, Jerald joined the Air Force and left the Brookings area. Despite his skyrocketing career, he never forgot his formative years at State, and he frequently regaled Kevin with tales of his alma mater: the sense of school loyalty, the deep university pride held by the community, and the feeling of nostalgia that overcame him whenever he looked at the Coughlin Campanile.

“SDSU created a foundation in my dad and set him up for life. He was a rising star in the Air Force, then had an exciting and fun career with Anheuser-Busch,” says Kevin. “College is a fundamental time for people, and you take a part of that with you for the rest of your life.”

Kevin visited South Dakota State with his father at a young age, though his memories of those trips are vague. The common thread was always Jerald’s excitement to return to SDSU and show his son his old stomping grounds. Kevin pursued his own degree at Texas A&M University, building a career with his wife, Cynthia.

In a fateful afternoon in March of 2022, Kevin found himself in the Denver International Airport when a mass of Jackrabbit blue caught his eye. En route to a tournament, the university’s softball team was in that same airport.

Thinking of his dad, Kevin called out, “Go Jacks!” and watched as an entire roster of heads swiveled in his direction.

Moved by the team’s friendliness and impressed by the way the young women conducted themselves, Kevin made his way over to the group, introducing himself to former Coach Krista Wood. After they made their goodbyes, the interaction stuck with Kevin.

He went on to make a gift to the program later that month, which marked only the start of an ongoing loyalty and relationship with the team.

In the wake of Jerald’s passing in July 2023, Kevin sought a way to honor his father’s memory, seeing a prime opportunity to do so while supporting the softball program. He started by naming the press box through a memorial gift, continuing to grow his connection with both the student-athletes and current Coach Kristina McSweeney, who he credits as an instrumental player in his philanthropy at State.

In the spring of 2024, Kevin was invited to throw out the first pitch at a Jackrabbit game. In true South Dakota fashion, the weather was less than ideal – rainy, cold, and miserable, as Kevin remembers it. In spite of the conditions, the team took the field without complaint and simply played ball.

“I was equally surprised and impressed by the coach and the players when they showed up in that kind of weather. Not only do they show up, but they win, and they’ve had a tremendous amount of success,” Kevin explains.

The rain-or-shine attitude spoke volumes to Kevin, who recalled a memorable occasion with his father, who possessed that same Jackrabbit loyalty. In the midst of a cancer battle a few years before his passing, Jerald was determined to attend the 2021 SDSU football championship game in Frisco, TX, despite many circumstances that could easily have deterred him.

“He drove three and a half hours up, three and a half hours back, and watched them in the rain, even though he was 82 years old at the time – all because he wanted to see South Dakota State,” recalls Kevin.

After that rainy spring softball game, Kevin hoped to shine a light on such a premier program by investing in new turf for the field.

Both Kevin and Coach McSweeney expect the new turf to significantly boost recruitment efforts, presenting a top-tier facility for prospective Jackrabbits as they tour the university. In addition to the heightened appeal for incoming student-athletes, the new turf levels the playing field for the team. With a field that can stand up to the elements, the group will gain a great deal of time for games and practices throughout their season.

As a symbol of Kevin and Cynthia’s generosity, the softball team will now call Jerald T. Moriarty Field home.

“This is me starting a new relationship and an appreciation for SDSU. Who knows where this will all lead to – but it’s a great start,” says Kevin. “The team deserves this, the coach deserves it, and I want my dad to have this, too.”