Stiegelmeiers to lead Hobo Day parade as ‘All Rails Lead Home’

Planning is well underway for the 111th Hobo Day, set for Oct. 14 at South Dakota State University. 

The Hobo Day Committee has named John and Laurie Stiegelmeier as parade grand marshals, and “All Rails Lead Home” is the tagline for this year’s “Biggest One-Day Event in the Dakotas.”

“All Jackrabbits start their collegiate journey with varying experiences and diverse backgrounds, yet each person’s path has led them to South Dakota State University. Hobo Day is a time when all friends, memories and relationships formed at SDSU are celebrated at the place where it all began—Brookings,” said Grand Pooba Marissa Vogt.

John Stiegelmeier retired in January after serving as head coach of the SDSU football program for 26 seasons. He’s the winningest coach in program history, and in his final season he led the football team to its first-ever NCAA Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision national title. Stiegelmeier was honored as the 2022 recipient of the Stats Perform Eddie Robinson Award for top coach in the FCS, as well as the American Football Coaches Association FCS Coach of the Year.

The Stiegelmeiers’ off-field contributions to the community have earned high praise as well. The couple has been involved in a variety of nonprofits, from Fellowship of Christian Athletes to Feeding South Dakota.

“The Hobo Day program and university are excited to celebrate the Stiegelmeiers for the difference they have made for countless Jackrabbits—past, present and future,” Vogt said.

The 2023 Hobo Day Committee is comprised of 18 student-members. Grand Pooba Vogt is a senior business economics major from Albert Lea, Minnesota. Members of the committee also include Charles Dendinger, Sarah Davids, Avery Dooley, Gracie Dose, Annie Feden, Elle Guthmiller, Victoria Hansen, Sarah Kastner, Claire Koenecke, Megan Linke, John Petersen, Ainsley Plack, Kordiea Rerick, Elizabeth Ross, Zoey Schentzel, Malia Schumacher and Julia Thaden. The Hobo Day program is advised by Matilyn Kerr, program adviser for university traditions.

For more information on the university’s homecoming, visit Hobo Day.