RAPID CITY & SPEARFISH, S.D. – South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State are taking their longstanding rivalry to the next level with the introduction of a new annual rivalry series between the two Black Hills institutions, sponsored by Ford.
The Ford Rivalry Series will bring added significance to 14 head-to-head contests between the Hardrockers and Yellow Jackets throughout the athletics season, with a total of 22 points available across 11 sports.
Football will carry the most points in a single contest, with three points awarded to the winner. Volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball will each feature two contests, with two points available per contest. Men's cross country, women's cross country, men's indoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field, women's outdoor track and field and women's golf, will each contribute one point to the overall series.
| SPORT |
POINTS PER CONTEST |
CONTESTS |
POINTS AVAILABLE |
| Football |
3 |
1 |
3 |
| Volleyball |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Men's Basketball |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Women's Basketball |
2 |
2 |
4 |
| Men's Cross Country |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Women's Cross Country |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Men's Indoor Track & Field |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Women's Indoor Track & Field |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Men's Outdoor Track & Field |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Women's Outdoor Track & Field |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Women's Golf |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| TOTAL CONTESTS & POINTS AVAILABLE |
14 |
22 |
"This rivalry has been part of the fabric of the Black Hills for generations, and the Ford Rivalry Series gives us a chance to build on that history," South Dakota Mines Athletics Director
David Crum said. "Bringing 11 sports and 22 points into one yearlong competition adds another element to the rivalry and gives more of our student-athletes an opportunity to compete for their institution. We're excited to see this series grow and to share that excitement with our fans."
With 22 points available, each school can earn a maximum of 22 points during the series. The institution that accumulates the most points at the conclusion of the athletics season will claim the Ford Rivalry Series championship.
"The rivalry between Black Hills State University and South Dakota Mines is more than just a game—it's the oldest rivalry in NCAA Division II history," Black Hills State Director of Athletics Mark Nore exclaimed. "The Black Hills Brawl has been a long time coming, and we're excited to see it finally get started. Your Local Ford Stores, where you'll find the SUVs and Trucks that are Built Ford Tough and South Dakota Strong are proud to partner up in sponsoring this legendary Rivalry Series. Let the games begin!"
The series gives student-athletes across 11 sports at both institutions an opportunity to contribute to their institution's pursuit of the rivalry championship.
Design of the Logo
With the launch of the Black Hills Brawl Rivalry Series comes a new logo and brand identity, designed by Mongoose Sports and Black Hills State alumni, Craig Whitlock. The logo centers in on the western heritage of Black Hills while also incorporating significant landmarks in each community, such as Lookout Mountain in Spearfish behind Sting and The Needles just south of Rapid City behind Grubby.
Additionally, the logo also continues to pay homage to the Homestake Mine formerly located in Lead, as the mines' pickaxe and shovel emblem is featured front and center, while the traveling Homestake Trophy is also depicted on the football game logo.
South Dakota Mines & Black Hills State Rivalry History
The Hardrockers and Yellow Jackets have developed a strong rivalry through years of competition as neighboring institutions.
The rivalry between the two universities dates back more than a century. The football programs first met in an unofficial contest in 1895, with the first official meeting between the two institutions coming in 1900, when South Dakota Mines defeated Black Hills State 27-0.
The annual football matchup has grown into one of the most-played rivalries in college football. The 2025 meeting marked the 140
th edition of the Black Hills Brawl, with South Dakota Mines holding a 67-61-11 advantage in the series. The schools have met every year since 1946.
The rivalry is the most-played game in NCAA Division II. It is the fourth most played rivalry nationwide in any division (behind Harvard-Yale, Princeton-Yale and Lafayette-Lehigh.
Known as the Black Hills Brawl, the football rivalry also features the Homestake Trophy, which was introduced in 1946. The trophy takes its name from the Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, once the largest mine in the Western Hemisphere. The trophy remains with the winner of the annual matchup until the next meeting.
The rivalry extends well beyond football. South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State regularly compete in the "Basketbrawl," where the Hardrockers and Yellow Jackets have played more than 200 times on the court.
The two schools regularly compete against one another in volleyball, basketball, cross country, track and field and golf. The proximity of the universities has helped make the matchups a fixture of the regional college sports landscape.
The Ford Rivalry Series builds on that tradition by bringing the two institutions together for a yearlong competition across 11 sports.
The Series will begin with the 2026-27 athletics season, with points awarded throughout the year based on the results of the contests.
Fans can follow the standings and upcoming matchups throughout the season at BHSUAthletics.com and GoRockers.com.
