Jeff Tiefenthaler - Inducted 2024

Jeff Tiefenthaler, a 1981 graduate of Armour High School and 1986 graduate of South Dakota State University (SDSU), played a pivotal role in helping Armour win seven state titles—three in track & field and two each in baseball and basketball. At SDSU, he excelled in both football and track & field. Initially attending on a full track & field scholarship, he didn’t join the football team until his third year but quickly made his mark. Tiefenthaler became a two-time First Team All-American, breaking nine of SDSU’s ten receiving records and setting seven North Central Conference records. He set an NCAA Division II record by catching a touchdown in 14 consecutive games and another by scoring in 25 different games. His career stats include 173 receptions, 3,621 yards, and 32 touchdowns. Tiefenthaler was a finalist for the 1986 Harlon Hill Award and was the first SDSU player selected for the Senior Bowl.

In addition to his football success, Tiefenthaler was also a track & field All-American at SDSU, setting records in the indoor 300, 400, and 500-meter dashes and the outdoor 800-meter and 3200-meter relays. His athletic achievements earned him induction into the Howard Wood Dakota Relays Hall of Fame in 2007 and the SDSU Hall of Fame in 2011.

During high school, Tiefenthaler was First Team All-State in football and basketball and named the most outstanding athlete at the 1981 state track & field meet. He was also South Dakota’s 1981 Hertz #1 Award recipient. After college, he spent 35 years teaching and coaching in Iowa.