October 21, 2026
MADISON, S.D. — Rick Alfson established himself as one of Dakota State College's premier baseball players during the early 1970's, earning repeated South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) recognition while developing into one of the nation's top power hitters.
Alfson emerged as a conference standout during the 1972 season, when he earned All-SDIC honors as an outfielder. The conference's official release identified Alfson as one of the leading selections on the All-SDIC team and noted that he ranked No. 1 nationally in the NAIA in home run frequency. He was one of four Dakota State players selected to the All-Conference team that season, joining Dick Heiberger, Daryl Fletcher and John Graves.
His performance helped establish Dakota State as one of the conference's top baseball programs. The Trojans continued their success in 1973, when Alfson again earned All-SDIC honors. He was one of five Dakota State players named to the 17-member All-South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference Baseball Team, joining Daryl Fletcher, Ted Poncelet, Keith Thomas, and Jon Graves.
Alfson's consistency continued into his final season. After Dakota State struggled early in the 1974 campaign, losing six of its first seven games, the Trojans responded by winning seven of their final 11 contests before entering the SDIC Conference Baseball Tournament. Dakota State finished the season with a 9-12 record.
Individually, Alfson remained among the conference's elite. He and Ron Settje were selected to the 1974 SDIC All-Conference Baseball Team, giving Alfson three consecutive All-Conference selections from 1972 through 1974.
His accomplishments were especially significant within the development of Dakota State baseball. In 1972, Alfson was part of a group that represented the program's first All-Conference baseball selections, helping establish a foundation of recognition for Trojan baseball at the conference level.
From ranking first in the NAIA in home run frequency to earning All-SDIC recognition in three consecutive seasons, Alfson distinguished himself through power, consistency and sustained excellence.
After four years at Dakota State, Alfson began his career working for a manufactured home company for two years before spending five years with Hugh's Plumbing and Heating. He then began a 30-year career with the United Stats Postal Service, serving 20 years as a city carrier and 10 years as a postmaster.
Alfson played amateur baseball and was a member of three state championship teams in Madison. He also led one state tournament in batting average. After his baseball career, Alfson took up golf, a sport he continues to enjoy today. He has won three senior tournament titles at a golf course in Yankton, S.D. and has spent the past 10 winters in Mesquite, Nevada, where he continues to play golf.
| 2026 DSU Athletics Hall of Fame Series |
| Tuesday, October 20 |
Rachelle (Lengbeek) DeBeer '97 |
| Wednesday, October 21 |
Earl DeBates '65 |
| Wednesday, October 21 |
Rick Alfson |
| Thursday, October 22 |
Pat (Wagner) Bruinsma '86 |
| Thursday, October 22 |
Lynn Schuett '78 |
| Friday, October 23 |
1977 DSC Men's Golf SDIC Championship Team |
