Genuine Kansas - Veryl Switzer

Veryl Switzer was born in Nicodemus, Kansas, in 1932. He attended and played football at nearby Bogue High School before continuing his education (and football career) at Kansas State University. He is a member of the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.

Switzer lettered three years in football and track at K-State, in the 1951, 1952, and 1953 seasons, and was named to the All-Big Seven football team all three years. He was a second-team All-American in 1951 and 1952, and a first-team All-American in his senior year. In his senior year at K-State, Switzer led the nation in punt returns with an average of 31.0 yards per return. In 1954, he co-captained the West team in the East/West Shrine Bowl, and was runner-up for MVP of the game. Switzer's college athletic success wasn't limited to the football field, however, as he was also the Big Seven indoor long jump champion in 1952. The fourth player selected in the NFL draft in 1954, Switzer played two seasons with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Air Force in 1956 (where he stayed until 1958). In his rookie year he led the NFL in punt returns with an average of 13.0 yards per return.Switzer played three seasons in the Canadian Football League before retiring from active play. Returning to his college alma mater after leaving the professional football arena, Switzer served as Associate Dean and Assistant Vice President for Minority Affairs from 1973 to 1988, as chairman of the Intercollegiate Athletics Department from 1978 to 1988, and in a variety of other administrative positions until retiring in 1999. Switzer has been inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (1990), the Kansas State High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, and the K-State Sports Hall of Fame.