Hall of Fame
A 2-time NAIA All-American, Michael "Mickey" Sworden was a defensive mainstay on Coach Bob Roe's legendary Hilltopper teams of the early 1970s.
Sworden came to the hilltop after earning All-State honors at Washington (Pa.) Trinity High School and played a key role in helping lead West Liberty to a 23-5-1 mark in his three years anchoring the Black and Gold's defensive front.
The nationally-ranked Hilltoppers rolled to back-to-back WVIAC championships in 1970 and 1971 and advanced to the NAIA national semifinals in post-season play each year before "settling" for a 7-2 record in 1972, Sworden's senior season.
Sworden was honored as a first-team All-WVIAC pick and NAIA All-American following his junior and senior seasons. He was named WVIAC Defensive Player of the Week a staggering eight times during his career, picking up three of those awards during his senior campaign when he was voted WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
After graduation, Sworden enjoyed a long and successful career as a coach and teacher at Claysville (Pa.) McGuffey High School, retiring in 2009 after 30 years in the classroom.
Also a member of the Washington County (Pa.) and McGuffey High School Halls of Fame, Mickey is the younger brother of fellow WLU Hall of Famer Frank Sworden.
