West Virginia State University Athletics

CLASS OF 1975

FOOTBALL

4 YEAR STARTER

2 TIME ALL-CONFERENCE

ALL-AMERICAN

CAPTAIN

Steve Swayne is a native of McDowell County, West Virginia, where he attended public schools in Gary, WV. In his senior year he led his high school to an undefeated football season. They went on to win the state championship and Steve was selected for the All-State team.

His athletic abilities earned him a scholarship to West Virginia State College to play football. Steve was a four year starter during his time at “State”. In his sophomore year, he played both tight end and defensive end. His junior year he was named All-Conference defensive end. In Steve’s senior year, he was named All-Conference and All-American defensive end.

After graduating from “State” in 1975, Steve was employed with the United Steel Corporation as an Industrial Engineer. He left US Steel to join the Department of Labor as a Senior Coal Mine Safety Inspector in Denver, Colorado. Steve was the youngest and one of only fifteen African-American mine inspectors in the country.

In 1985 he relocated to Hagerstown, Maryland and became an agent for State Farm Insurance. Steve found time to serve as a Trustee for the Zion Baptist Church, he was a member of the Washington County Zoning Appeals Board and on the Board of Directors of the Fort Ritchie Redevelopment Corporation as well as, the YMCA, Goodwill and the United Way. He was also a member of the Original Class of Leadership Hagerstown and a charter member of the Shenandoah Valley “W” Club, where he has served as president, vice-president and has remained active during the club’s twelve years of existence.

Steve is the proud father of three daughters, two sons and has been blessed with six grandsons.