Swarm Days 2026

Jackets in the Jungle
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Treasure map–style poster featuring Sting, the BHSU yellow jacket mascot, dressed as an explorer and flying across a parchment map. A red dotted path leads to a red dot. Text reads “SWARM DAYS 2026” and “JACKETS IN THE JUNGLE” in bold orange-yellow letters.

 

It was a groovy time Stayin' Alive in the Hive in 2025. Now prepare for Jackets in the Jungle coming soon. 

Find out about the Alumni Awards Luncheon and Hall of Fame Banquet

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What is Swarm Days?

Swarm Days is Black Hills State University’s annual homecoming tradition—a week-long celebration of Yellow Jacket pride that brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Spearfish community. Throughout the week, campus comes alive with signature events including Homecoming Coronation, the Burning of the BH, alumni recognitions, and the Hall of Fame, culminating in the downtown parade, tailgate, and homecoming game. Whether you’re a current student or returning alum, Swarm Days is your invitation to reconnect, celebrate achievements, and make new memories in the heart of the Black Hills. Join the hive and be part of a tradition that grows stronger every year.

Swarm Days 2026 Schedule

Thursday, Sept. 24 – Saturday, Sept. 26 · Theme: Jackets in the Jungle

Date Time Activity Location
Thursday, September 24 12:00 p.m. Scholarship Luncheon (Invite only) Joy (Proctor) Krautschun Alumni/Foundation Welcome Center
Thursday, September 24 7:00 p.m. Coronation (open to the public) Clare & Josef Meier Recital Hall
Thursday, September 24 8:15 p.m. Burning of the “BH” (open to the public) Meier Hall Circle
Friday, September 25 11:00 a.m. Alumni Awards Luncheon Joy (Proctor) Krautschun Alumni/Foundation Welcome Center
Friday, September 25 6:00 p.m. Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Holiday Inn Spearfish – Convention Center
Saturday, September 26 10:00 a.m. Swarm Day Parade Line up at Spearfish High School, right on Hillsview, south on North Ave., disbursing at Grant Street
Saturday, September 26 11:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Tailgate Social Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center parking lot
Saturday, September 26 1:00 p.m. Swarm Day Football Game: BHSU vs. Fort Lewis College Lyle Hare Stadium

Notes

  1. Scholarship Luncheon is invite only.
  2. Tickets are $25 per person for the Alumni Awards Luncheon and $35 per person for the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. Seating is limited and all sales are final. Purchase in advance at BHSU.edu/SwarmDays or by calling 605.642.6385.
  3. The Tailgate Social is open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for a minimal fee.
  4. Tickets for the Swarm Day football game may be purchased on site.

For more information on any of these events, email Tom.Wheaton@BHSU.edu or call 605.642.6385.

Full Swarm Days 2025 Full Gallery

  • Nighttime outdoor crowd watching large flaming letters “EH” burn brightly against the dark; spectators stand along a sidewalk by a grassy area lit by streetlights, with a building façade partly visible, creating a dramatic, energetic scene.
  • Five young women sitting close together on two blankets at an outdoor event on a grassy field, smiling at the camera; snacks like popcorn, fruit, and candies are in front of them; bleachers and tents are visible in the warm evening light.
  • Two young adults playing Spikeball barefoot and in sandals in a sunny parking lot; the man leans toward the low circular net, the woman awaits the return; vehicles, seated spectators, and a large white tent with people in matching green shirts appear in the background.
  • Three young women taking a close selfie in a sunny parking lot, all smiling; the central woman wears sunglasses and a green shirt with white text, the left holds a phone and water bottle, and the right wears a gray cardigan over a green shirt; cars and blue sky in the background.
  • Five women standing on a polished wood stage in front of a wooden backdrop, smiling and clapping; each wears a different formal dress (blue, green with slit, black ruffled, light sleeveless, black polka‑dot tiered); empty chairs line the back.
  • Six young men standing in a line on a wood stage, smiling and clapping; attire ranges from casual shirts and pants to suits and a vest with a hat; a potted plant sits in front and empty chairs are behind, suggesting a performance or award ceremony.
  • Two people posing in a dimly lit party setting; the woman wears a shiny gold dress with wide sleeves and an orange pendant necklace, while the man in glasses wears a bright pink wig and a dark blue shirt with colorful circular patterns; indistinct figures and party lights behind them.
  • A dimly lit dance floor with adults and children at a lively celebration; a young blonde girl in a colorful swirling dress dances in the foreground while a boy in blue playfully lies on the polished wood floor; nearby, women in pink and patterned outfits raise their arms and smile amid a festive, retro-themed vibe.
  • Two young men smiling in a sunny parking lot; one wears a white “BLACK HILLS STATE” t‑shirt and green shorts with reflective sunglasses, the other an orange patterned shirt, round sunglasses, and a small crossbody bag; trucks and a green flag suggest a festive campus event.
  • Five women posing and smiling in a sunny parking lot; casual attire with graphic tees and shorts, some making hand gestures; cars and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Alumni Awards Luncheon and Hall of Fame Banquet Information

Friday, September 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Joy Proctor Krautschun Alumni/Foundation Welcome Center

Tickets are $25 per person

Black Hills State University will honor five alumni during the 2026 Alumni awards Luncheon. Jim Dzierwa, ’63, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award; Michelle Bartels, ’11, is the Excellence in Education Award recipient; RF Buche, ’92, will receive the Special Achievement Award; Dr. Elaine (Doll) Dunn, ’79, the Special Service Award recipient; and Dr. Lacy (Stevens) DeGering, ’16, will receive the Young Alumni Achievement Award.

Get Tickets for the 2026 Alumni Awards Luncheon

Please RSVP by Friday, September 4.  Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. Seating is limited. All sales are final.

For more information, email Tom.Wheaton@BHSU.edu or call 605.642.6385.

Friday, September 25 at 6:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn Spearfish - Convention Center

Tickets are $35 per person

 

BHSU will induct five athletes, one coach, and two teams into the Yellow Jacket Hall of Fame.  Liz (Woodruff) Alderson, Scott Jaggi, Mandy (Brumfield) Lemmel, Janna (Schriber) Mason, and Allen Wood will be inducted as athletes.  Paul Sather will be inducted as a coach, and the 1979 Football Team, and 2007-08 Women’s Basketball Team will be inducted.\

Get Tickets for the 2026 Hall of Fame Banquet

Please RSVP by Friday, September 4.  Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door. Seating is limited. All sales are final.

For more information, email Tom.Wheaton@BHSU.edu or call 605.642.6385.

For more information about the next Swarm Days, contact Jessie.Gramm@BHSU.edu

Float Registration

 

Swarm Days News

BHSU Crowns Swarm Days King and Queen

Black Hills State University crowned this year’s Swarm Days Royalty during the annual Coronation Ceremony held Thursday, September 25 as part of the university’s homecoming week. Senior Connor Hutcheson from Canistota was named Swarm Days King. The title of Swarm Days Queen resulted in a tie, with both Olivia Schaefers of Whitewood and Leyton Schnell of Alliance, Nebraska, receiving the honor.

BHSU Grooves into Swarm Days 2025: A Disco Themed Celebration

Black Hills State University will host their annual Swarm Days September 22-27. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Disco: Stayin’ Alive in the Hive.”

BHSU Honors Alumni During Swarm Days

Black Hills State University honored several alumni during the Alumni Awards Luncheon and the Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet held on the Friday of Swarm Days.

BHSU Crowns Swarm Days King and Queen

Seniors Rawlin Smith from Bison and Brooke Parette from Rapid City were crowned King and Queen on Thursday, Sept. 19 as part of Swarm Days, the annual homecoming week at Black Hills State University.

BHSU Gears Up for Swarm Days 2024: A Mardi Gras Themed Celebration

Black Hills State University will host their annual Swarm Days Sept. 16-21. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Swarm Into the Fun, Mardi Gras Has Begun.”

More News