In the summer of fall of 2004, the DakotaDome has received a major facelift as a result of a joint agreement between Daktronics Sports Marketing and The University of South Dakota.

As a result of the joint venture, corporate sponsorships enabled the University to upgrade the main arena, corridors and the outside of the Dome. In addition, a marquee on highway 50 is also part of the renovation. The additions to the main arena floor included a new pro image board that has HD television capacity. It provides instant replay and video productions during the course of an event. In addition, the pro image board can broadcast cable TV, which provides yet another special touch that makes the DakotaDome, the premiere athletic facility in the state of South Dakota. Aside from that board, the facility has a Daktronics pro ad board which also builds on a unique fan atmosphere that is special and unique. Also, USD put up a series of sponsored pictorial displays that represent each of the varsity sports at USD. The remodeling of the corridor includes a fan's focus (photo displays of fans cheering at events) as well as televisions located throughout the corridor that allow fans to get refreshments while keeping their eye on the game.

As a result of a number of founding partners, USD's Dome experience is a grand opportunity for fans and supporters.

Since 1979, South Dakota's most flexible facility has housed the athletic department and programs and also hosted conventions, community events, exhibitions, high school football playoffs, and various types of entertainment functions. The Dome, which underwent an $11.8 million roof replacement renovation in 2001-02, is in its 25th year of existence. In addition to replacement of the air-supported roof with one made of metal, air conditioning, improved indoor lighting and better outdoor landscaping was also part of the project.

The dome replacement project began in late March 2001 when Harris Construction of Lawrence, Kan., began work. The athletics administrative offices were housed in downtown Vermillion and classes were relocated to other spaces on campus. The project included replacing the original air-supported fabric roof, which provided cover for the Dome for 20 years. The new metal roof, which is 40 feet higher than the previous roof, has a life expectancy of 60 years.

Dome Opened in 1979

Groundbreaking for the Dome was held in the summer of 1976 with the doors opening for the initial football game in 1979. Prior to the opening of the Dome, USD athletics was housed at the New Armory/Inman Field. One of the unique features of the original Dome, originally constructed for $7.9 million, was the air-supported roof system. The fiberglass fabric roof was erected at half the cost of a conventional roof construction. The facility included floor area for three basketball courts, two volleyball courts, tennis courts and an eight-lane 200-meter track installed in June 1996. Two levels existed below the permanent seating on the east side of the DakotaDome. On the lower level is a 25-meter pool, four handball courts, locker room facilities, showers, storage areas, offices and classrooms. The west side also includes more than 20,000 square feet of floor space, which is available for general recreation and intramural sports. The state-of-the-art weight room is located on the upper west side. It is one of the best weight rooms in the conference and is utilized by varsity athletes as well as students, faculty, staff. Through a generous gift by William G. Hillenbrand, a new eight-lane 200-meter track was installed into the DakotaDome during the summer of 1996 and officially named the Mildred J. Hillenbrand Memorial Track. The running track, which has 48-inch lanes, makes the DakotaDome one of the finest indoor track facilities in the nation. It only adds to the reputation of a sports complex that has been site of five NCAA Div. II National indoor track & field championships and 15 North Central Conference indoor meets. The Dome has been the site to two NCAA Division II Playoff games, including the Coyotes' 42-28 semifinal victory over Troy State in 1986 and a quarterfinal double overtime win over Central State (Ohio) in 1985. The facility annually hosts a Farm Show, provides a home for the Vermillion High School football program, is the site of various softball tournaments, New Year's celebrations, camps, NYSP program, Governor's banquet and much more. Since 1982, the Dome has been the home to the South Dakota High School Football Playoffs. In the plains, weather can be a factor in the successful completion of events. In 1991, the Dome enabled high school playoff games in three states to proceed. During the first two weeks of November 1991, South Dakota hosted 17 games and 34 teams in a span of two weeks at the Dome. USD hosted high school playoff games from three states including five South Dakota, four Iowa, and three Minnesota high school playoff games. In addition, USD hosted five college and university football games. Two of the games involved North Central Conference (college games) opponents. None of the 17 games involved USD or the Dome's other patron - Vermillion High School