Clark Swisher, a native of Vermillion, South Dakota, graduated from Vermillion High School in 1934 and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of South Dakota in 1938. He began his coaching career at high schools in Elk Point and Wagner before a stint in the United States Army interrupted it. In 1946 he began a long career at Northern State University as head coach of football, basketball, and track, and during his 34 years with the Northern Wolves he touched the lives of thousands. As football coach for 22 seasons, his teams compiled 146 wins, 42 losses, and 4 ties, produced four perfect seasons, outscored opponents 5,090 to 2,271, and won 15 South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference titles. He retired as head football coach in 1969 and became NSU's Athletic Director. His honors included Sports Writer's Coach of the Year in 1955, membership in the South Dakota Sports Writers' Hall of Fame in 1962, membership in the Northern State University Athletic Hall of Fame, being named South Dakota College Coach of the Year three times, and membership in the University of South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the 10th member of the Helm's Foundation Football Hall of Fame, a past president of the NAIA, and a member of the U.S. Olympic committee from 1975-1984. He and his wife Doris had eight children: Kim, Clark Jr., Joel, Steve, Dan, John, Wendy, and Elizabeth.