Thermo Bond Solutions partnership celebrated with naming of DSU Esports Arena
October 15, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Dakota State University will celebrate its partnership with Thermo Bond Solutions with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the naming of the Thermo Bond Solutions Esports Arena on Saturday, Oct. 31.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the esports arena, located on the second floor in the heart of the Beacom PREMIER Complex, and will recognize Thermo Bond Solutions for its generous partnership with and support of Dakota State University. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
The naming recognizes Thermo Bond’s commitment to DSU and its students while connecting the company with a growing area of the university.
“We are very grateful to Thermo Bond for investing in Dakota State University and strengthening the opportunities available to our students,” said DSU President Dr. John R. Ballard. “The Thermo Bond Solutions Esports Arena represents much more than a place to compete. It is a space where students will enhance teamwork skills, build communications expertise, foster strategic thinking, and make innovation happen. We are very proud to have Thermo Bond’s name associated with this important part of the Dakota State learning experience.”
Thermo Bond Solutions builds the secure home for tomorrow's technology. Rather than concentrating computing in one massive site, they create compact concrete vaults designed to bring AI and computing power to the places that use it, including rural communities. Backed by Thermo Bond Buildings' nearly four decades of precast concrete manufacturing, it's critical edge infrastructure for the next generation of innovation.
“DSU doesn't just keep up with what's next. It gets there first. From cyber and computing to esports, Dakota State is building the tech talent our industry needs,” said Thermo Bond Solutions President Steven Tims. “At Thermo Bond, we build for the edge every day, and we're proud to support a South Dakota school that's right there with us.”
Esports became Dakota State’s 13th sponsored sport in 2019 and has continued to grow since. The university’s esports teams compete in a variety of titles, with the Thermo Bond Solutions Esports Arena serving as a home for competition, practice, and student engagement.
“Partnerships like this make a meaningful difference for Dakota State and, most importantly, for our students,” said Jill Ruhd, DSU vice president for Institutional Advancement and CEO of the Dakota State University Foundation. “Thermo Bond’s support demonstrates what is possible when organizations invest in the university’s mission and the student experience. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and excited to celebrate the Thermo Bond Solutions Esports Arena as a lasting reflection of that commitment.”
Following the ribbon-cutting and refreshments, guests are invited to continue the celebration as the Trojan football team takes on Mayville State at 1 p.m.