The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor individuals who have been instrumental in the development and continued success of SDSA.
These nominees have been active members of the local club for 36+ years when tallied between them.
These nominees have attended the Governor’s Winter Games, the Ride for the Ribbon, Snowmobilers 4 Snowmobiler events and numerous other poker runs and events around the state, showing support for other club’s activities.
These nominees have also attended multiple Governor’s Advisory Council Meetings, State conventions, International Snowmobile Congresses, ACSA meetings, Washington DC-Fly-ins, representing the State of South Dakota and the local club snowmobile club.
These nominees are continually promoting the fun of snowmobiling showing how to have fun doing it with family and friends. High school kids learned how to make doughnuts, high mark a cornice and how to get themselves out of a creek while snowmobiling with these nominees. Even though once and a while it ended up in a trip to an ER, still smiling and willing to go again.
These nominees have attended forums sponsored by the Black Hills National Forest commenting on legislative issues to include RPT Funding and Access issues. Additionally, they have met with the Secretary of the Interior while in Washington, DC encouraging better access to our National Forests.
Between them, these nominees have held leadership positions, at the club, state and national level. They have coordinated state conventions and our state’s hosting of the International Snowmobile Congress in 2016.
Protecting public access has been one of the main reasons for continued involvement and taking on these leadership roles. Being able to present the ACSA Legal Defense Fund with over $13,000 in donations from SDSA members, which amount grew to over $18,000, was a great accomplishment through the leadership of these nominees.
The long time involvement in snowmobiling – starting with the local club, to SDSA leadership, to ACSA leadership and ISC involvement, or just simply interacting with Millennials while in Washington, DC conversing with them about why access to public lands is important for all is part of this couple’s DNA. It is a true testament of the dedication and continued success of SDSA, of ACSA and the overall sport of snowmobiling and why these individuals are worthy of having the SDSA Hall of Fame recognition be bestowed upon him.
It is with great pleasure and pride that the South Dakota Snowmobile Association awards the Hall of Fame recognition to Greg & Diane Hiles.