South Dakota Corn will be the title sponsor of the South Dakota Showdown Series -- a new, year-long collegiate athletics and academic competition between South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota.

The universities can earn a maximum of 22 points per year based on head-to-head competition 17 men's and women's athletic events. There is an academic component as well, and the university compiling the most points by the end of the school year will earn bragging rights and a traveling trophy.

SD Corn Backs College Showdown Series

"South Dakota Corn wanted to play a part in bringing this milestone rivalry series to life," says Chad Blindauer, a Mitchell, S.D., corn grower and president of the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council "Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry. It makes sense to team up with these academic powerhouses. We want to tell the story of how we are producing more with less and doing it in an efficient, effective and environmentally sound way. We are proud to serve as title sponsor for the South Dakota Showdown Series."

The inaugural competition is under way now, with points already beginning to accumulate for the 2012-2013 school year. The football game on Nov. 17 will be the next head-to-head athletic competition between the two schools that will impact the point system. In addition to focusing on the points earned by both schools respectively, promoting values of good sportsmanship will be strongly emphasized among SDSU and USD fans. Also, student-athletes who are South Dakota natives will be highlighted throughout the year based on their performances in academics and athletics.

Throughout the school year, fans can visit www.sdcornshowdown.com to track progress and see point totals for their favorite team. Additionally, fans will be able to access the Showdown site via the schools' official athletic sites: www.gojacks.com or www.goyotes.com.

SDSU, USD and South Dakota Corn have designated Feeding South Dakota as the non-profit organization to benefit from the rivalry series' launch. Fans attending Showdown Series' head-to-head athletic events are encouraged to make a monetary donation for Feeding South Dakota while making their concession purchases.

Source: SD Corn