Jordan Decker

With USD and SDSU playing this week, there’s been plenty of talk about how many South Dakota kids are on each roster. As the dad of one of those South Dakota kids at USD, here’s what I can tell you about Crew’s experience. Not once has he come home and said, “Dad, I wish there were more kids from South Dakota on the team.” Instead, he’s told us how hilarious his former teammate L.J. Phillips Jr. is. How JJ Galbreath is one of the best athletes he’s ever been around. How Chris Dixon has an incredible family story and is the nicest guy you’ll meet, yet fierce on the football field. How unbelievably talented Mi’Quise Grace was. How Brendon Crispe loves to hunt and fish just like he does. The list could go on and on. What we hear are stories about teammates, friendships, personalities and families—and sometimes that he’s giving a teammate a ride to the airport to head home. Where somebody happens to be from just doesn’t come up. He’s enjoyed meeting people from different parts of the country and discovering how much they have in common. Different hometowns, different backgrounds, plenty of the same interests, goals and sense of humor. That’s been a great part of his college experience, and as his parents, we’re grateful for it. We absolutely should celebrate South Dakota kids playing college football. We’re certainly proud of ours. But I do wonder: if I were one of the many SDSU players from somewhere else, how would it feel to keep hearing the conversation revolve around the guys from South Dakota? I’d hope my contribution mattered just as much. Crew has found great teammates and great friends at USD. We’ve never needed to check their hometowns to appreciate that. Go Yotes. 🐾