VERYL SWITZER
1932 – 2022
Inducted – 1990

Considered one of the best two-way athletes (offense and defense) ever to play football in the Big Seven Conference, Veryl Switzer of Bogue (KS) lettered three years in football and track at Kansas State University. Named to the All–Big Seven team three straight years, he was a second–team All–American in 1951 and 1952, and a first–team Pro Football Coaches All–American in 1953. Switzer led the nation in punt returns his senior year at Kansas State (31.0 yards) and the following year, led the NFL as a rookie in the same category with 13.0 yards per return. He co–captained the West team in the 1954 East/West Shrine game and was the runner-up for Most Valuable Player honors. He earned the same honor in the college All–star game against the world champion Detroit Lions. The fourth player and first halfback selected in the 1954 NFL draft, Switzer played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers before entering the Air Force from 1956 to 1958. He played three seasons in the Canadian Football League before retiring in 1960. His success wasn’t limited to the football field as he was the Big Seven Indoor long jump champion in 1952. Switzer was chairman of Kansas State’s Intercollegiate Athletic Council (1978–88). Inducted into the Big Eight Sportswriters Hall of Fame; KSHSAA Hall of Fame, 1995; K–State Sports Hall of Honor. Born August 6, 1932 – Nicodemus, Kansas. Graduated Bogue (KS) High School, 1950; Kansas State University, 1954; MS – Kansas State University, 1974.