HALL OF FAME

Scott Swofford was a native of St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a leader of his high school football team. He was also a leader of his college football team and the rugby team, as well as a leader in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. Following his death in September 2000, more than 3,000 people ranging in age from 10 to 100 came to pay their respects “to someone that had given them joy and hope.” His memorial service was held on the 50-yard line at Washington University’s Francis Field in St. Louis.

Swofford attended Cleveland High School in a St. Louis, where he was captain of the winning Cleveland Dutchmen football team. He began attending Central Methodist College in 1968 and became a four-year starter as a linebacker. He was named team captain and the squad’s most valuable player in 1971. He was All-District and an All-Conference player. Swofford also captained the rugby team for four years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Central Methodist in 1972.

His first job was spent coaching and teaching at Fayette (Mo.) High School for one year. From 1973-1975, he served as the assistant coach for Wentzville (Mo.) High School’s football team and also taught health, physical education, and driver’s education. He later became an assistant football coach at Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, where he earned a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training in 1977.

He returned to Central Methodist College and coached as an offensive line coach and defensive coordinator from 1977-78 and continued his career as assistant football coach at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, then as head coach at Tarkio College in Missouri. His experience in coaching brought him to Grandview (Mo.) High School, where he led Grandview to its first winning football season in the school’s history.

Swofford then returned to Wentzville as head football coach from 1986-1998 and helped the Indians achieve their best season in the program’s history with an 8-2 record. He also served as head track coach at Wentzville. After 17 years of teaching and coaching at Wentzville, he was honored by the Wentzville School District which named its new football stadium at Timberland High School the “Scott Swofford Stadium.” Naming the stadium after Swofford was a gift of love from his students. It was written in the program at the dedication, “Scott Swofford completely embraced and taught the highest standards in excellence and integrity both on the field and in life.”

Swofford also served as assistant coach of the Washington University Bears for two years coaching the running backs and special teams. During his first year at Washington University, the team earned its only NCAA playoff appearance in its history.

Swofford and his wife, Runa, who lives in Lake Saint Louis, raised two children.