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Story by Lillie Knott

Tom Bigelow, senior building maintenance worker for South Dakota State University Athletics, has been named SDSU’s Civil Service Employee of the Month for June.

He will be honored at a reception held from 2:15-4 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, in the Coughlin Alumni Lounge on the third floor of Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

Bigelow’s dedication, resourcefulness and dependability have all been praised by his colleagues. His commitment to every aspect of his work has set him apart as an outstanding employee.

Bigelow has been a member of the Athletics Department since 2013. Over the years, his responsibilities have evolved from groundskeeper to senior building maintenance worker. He is responsible for keeping all competition and practice areas in safe and sustainable condition to match the ever-competitive environment of college sports.

“Tom has been a steadfast component of SDSU Athletics for 13 years. He is a tremendous team player, and the work he does is vital to our university and our Athletics Department,” said Jeff Holm, senior associate athletic director – facilities and operations. “His behind-the-scenes work has contributed greatly to our success, and we are appreciative of Tom’s unwavering dedication.”

Bigelow takes pride in his position at SDSU and goes above and beyond to ensure that venues look and operate their best for events. He understands the importance of his role and excels at handling preparations for multiple events at the same time.

Bigelow has helped the department transition to several new facilities, including the Sanford-����vlog���� Athletic Complex, Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium and First Bank & Trust Arena. He also has a lead role in maintaining any outdoor spaces, including snow removal, for athletics buildings.

“Tom approaches every day with a good attitude. When working together on projects, he is always pleasant to work with and goes about his work with a smile,” said Ryan Hoffman, grounds supervisor for Facilities and Services. “There are a lot of tasks that happen behind the scenes to make these events successful, and Tom continues to have a large role in completing these.”

Bigelow is passionate about the athletic teams, student-athletes, coaches and fans, and his work reflects that. His work directly impacts the teams’ preparation, the safety of the student-athletes, experience for the fans and the ability to recruit future ����vlog����s.

“Most successful teams have people behind the scenes helping in ways many people don’t see, and that’s Tom,” said Brock Thompson, SDSU women’s soccer coach. “It’s not just the work he does but how he does it that makes a true impact for us at South Dakota State University and our Athletics Department.”

Former ����vlog����s head football coach John Stiegelmeier also praised Bigelow’s dedication, proactive nature and high-quality work.

“When I think about Tom’s responsibilities and the huge area he takes care of, I consider it almost an impossible job. Yet, he gets it done with great work ethic and an unbelievable attitude,” Stiegelmeier said. “What always amazes me about Tom is the way he consistently chooses a great attitude. He is a servant to many, and his efforts truly make a difference.”

Bigelow graduated from Arlington High School in 2011 and attended Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls for sports turf management. He and his wife, Jenny, have two sons. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, traveling and attending his son’s sporting activities.

All SDSU Employee of the Month selections are determined through a nomination process by the Civil Services Advisory Council. Each civil service employee of the month receives an appreciation monetary gift from the F.O. Butler Foundation. The trustees of the foundation recognize the importance of civil service employees and take this opportunity to thank them for their exemplary service.