Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1987
- Class:
- 1954
In an era where Marshall played run-focused offenses built upon wing-T or single wing formations, the receiving numbers for end Jim Swierczik (pronounced SWY-zek) are simply amazing. The Seth, W.Va., native and Sherman High School graduate set Marshall records with 37 receptions, 563 yards and seven touchdown catches as a sophomore for Coach Pete Pederson in 1951, then snagged 49 passes for 551 yards and nine touchdowns in 1952 – receiving first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors each season. Herb Royer took over as Marshall’s coach for Swierczek’s senior season, bringing the single wing attack back to Marshall, and Swierczek’s catches dropped off to 27, but he still made them good for 496 yards (18.3 yards per reception) and six more touchdowns as Marshall transitioned into the Mid-American Conference.
Swierczek’s 113 catches, 1,610 yards and 22 touchdowns obliterated all standing Marshall records, with the catches and yardage numbers remaining the best in school history until broken by Hall of Famer Fuzzy Filliez in the mid-1970s, and the touchdown record stood until broken by Hall of Famer Mike Barber in 1988. Swierczek also played baseball for Marshall, receiving first team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 1952 and second team All-MAC accolades in 1954. After his Marshall career, he was chosen by the Detroit Lions in the 13th round of the 1954 NFL Draft. Swierczek was inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987.
