Sam Mooney of Watertown has been named one of three South Dakotans to receive the 2026 James Farrell Award of Excellence, a prestigious distinction from USA Softball. The award, presented during the 95th USA Softball Council Meeting, honors tournament hosts who demonstrate superior leadership, hospitality, and operational excellence. Mooney, who serves as the USA Softball South Dakota men’s slowpitch commissioner, earned the recognition for successfully hosting the Men’s Northern D National Championship at Watertown’s PREMIER Softball Complex in August.
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The honor highlights a strong year for South Dakota sports administration, as Rick Graff and Dave Nielsen of Sioux Falls People for Youth also received the award. Their recognition stems from their successful execution of the Northern A and B Girls Fastpitch National Championships held in Sioux Falls this summer. These accolades underscore the state’s growing reputation for delivering high-quality national championship experiences, reinforcing the commitment of local officials to the sport’s development and community engagement.
In Aberdeen, Junior Golf Aberdeen announced that Claire Crawford and Grayson Rehder are the recipients of the 2026 Dean Shortridge Scholarship. The program annually awards two $1,500 educational scholarships to local high school seniors who have shown significant involvement in golf and plan to pursue higher education at two- or four-year institutions. This initiative supports the next generation of athletes by bridging the gap between competitive sports and academic advancement in the region.
Source: Yahoo Sports
