The Bison Athletics
Hall of Fame Class of 2022
1963 Football Team
The 1963 Hot Springs Bison football team, led by head coach Don Mathis, delivered one of the most impressive seasons in school history. Predicted to finish near the bottom of the preseason Black Hills Conference standings, the Bison defied expectations—going undefeated and capturing the BHC championship.
Hot Springs outscored its opponents 155–31 across eight victories, earning wins over:
Provo, 7–6
Deadwood, 32–0
Custer, 26–0
Spearfish, 13–6
Belle Fourche, 12–7
Lead, 14–6
Douglas, 3–10
Sturgis, 20–6
The roster’s strength was evident in postseason honors. The Bison produced 10 All–Black Hills Conference selections:
Jim Kocer
Ray Kennedy
Steve Colgan
Phil Hiller
George Niemann
Bill Wolvington
Lin Seder
Don Tillotson
Calvin Hill
Sam Zimiga
Four of these players—Kocer, Colgan, Kennedy, and Seder—were also named to the All-State Team, further solidifying the 1963 squad as one of the premier football teams in Hot Springs history.
Joyce Farrell
Joyce Farrell, a 1968 graduate of Hot Springs High School, earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Colorado. After returning to Hot Springs, she began a remarkable 45-year (and counting) career of service and support within Bison athletics—one that has made her an irreplaceable part of the community.
Farrell’s work with Bison athletics began in the fall of 1978, when the Hot Springs girls basketball coach asked if she would keep the team’s scorebook. What started as a simple request quickly grew into a long and dedicated career as a scorekeeper, clock operator, announcer, and all-around assistant for both the high school and middle school athletic programs. Over time, her responsibilities expanded to boys’ basketball, football, wrestling, soccer, gymnastics, cross country, and track and field.
She traveled on the team bus with the basketball program for 35 years and with the volleyball program for more than 20 years—supporting generations of athletes along the way.
One of Farrell’s greatest joys has been assisting with school activities, and her impact has not gone unnoticed. She received the Jerry P. Miller Distinguished Service Award from the South Dakota High School Coaches Association in 2020–2021. Her community involvement extends far beyond athletics as well; she has served with the Chamber of Commerce, Bison Boosters, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Farrell also dedicated over 30 years to developing and supervising the Summer Recreation Program, which became a formative experience for countless young athletes in Hot Springs.
Joe Beehler
Joe Beehler, a 2004 graduate of Hot Springs High School, stands among the most accomplished multi-sport athletes in Bison history. Excelling in football, basketball, track and field, and even soccer, Beehler combined record-setting performance with exceptional academic achievement.
Football Excellence
A dominant force on the gridiron, Beehler was a:
Three-time All-State selection
Three-time All-Black Hills Conference performer
South Dakota All-Star Football Game invitee
Across four varsity seasons, he shattered eight school records, including:
379 rushing yards in a single game
1,935 rushing yards in a season
2,541 all-purpose yards in a season
155 points in a season
23 touchdowns in a season
901 kickoff return yards in a season
95-yard kickoff return (longest)
83-yard rushing touchdown (longest)
Following high school, Beehler continued his football career at Black Hills State University, playing four seasons for the Yellow Jackets.
Basketball Impact
On the basketball court, Beehler was:
A four-time letterwinner
A three-time All-BHC performer
Selected to compete in the South Dakota All-State Basketball Game
His leadership and athleticism made him a cornerstone of the Bison program throughout his high school career.
Track & Field Achievements
A standout jumper, Beehler was a:
Three-time state qualifier
State medalist in both the long jump and triple jump
School record holder in:
Long jump: 21'7.5" (2000)
Triple jump: 42'11.75" (2002)
Additional Athletics & Academic Honors
Lettered in soccer for two seasons
Member of the National Honor Society
Earned Academic All-State recognition
Named an Academic All-Star
Joe Beehler’s career is defined by exceptional versatility, competitive excellence, and a standard of achievement that continues to inspire future generations of Bison athletes. His legacy spans multiple sports, multiple school records, and accomplishments at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Cameron Weiss
Cameron Weiss is the most decorated wrestler in Hot Springs High School history, becoming the school’s first-ever two-time State Class A wrestling champion (2005 and 2006). He is also the only Bison wrestler to complete an undefeated season, finishing 43–0 in 2005, and he achieved a remarkable career record of 82–1 over his junior and senior seasons. His lone loss during that span came when he moved up to compete at 150 pounds late in his career. Weiss was also honored as a 2006 USA Wrestling/Cliff Keen Athletic High School All-American Honorable Mention.
A four-time state placewinner, Weiss placed fourth as a freshman and sophomore before capturing state titles as a junior and senior. His year-by-year varsity records include:
7th grade: 12–7
8th grade: 27–12
9th grade: 34–3
10th grade: 33–4
11th grade: 43–0
12th grade: 39–1
Football Achievements
Weiss was also a record-setting football player for the Bison. He holds the school record for career rushing yards with 3,590 (2003–2005) and finished just one touchdown short of the school’s single-season touchdown record, scoring 29 in 2004.
He was a key member of the 2003 Bison football team, the only Hot Springs team to play for a state championship in the Dakota Dome. Weiss earned multiple All-State and All-Conference football honors during his career.