Steve Withorne - Inducted 2021

Steve Withorne arrived at Dakota Wesleyan University as a promising basketball prospect. He met all expectations, and then proved his versatility when he went out for football and excelled.

Withorne earned four letters playing basketball, served as a tri-captain in 1973 and received honorable mention recognition to the 1973 all-conference team. He was instrumental in two conference championships. In the fall of 1973, he reported for football and immediately secured a starting role. He played guard and tight end on offense, switched to end on defense, and handled both the punting and place-kicking duties. Several of his field goals led to DWU wins.

Following his senior season, Withorne was chosen to the South Dakota Intercollegiate All-Conference Team and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-District 12 squad. In 1975, he earned a free agent tryout with the Dallas Cowboys but suffered a career ending knee injury. He was inducted into the DWU Hall of Fame in 1997.

Withorne graduated from Rapid City Central in 1969 and led the Cobblers to the 1969 state basketball title. He was a long-time basketball official, working state tournaments and winning several awards.

He died on Oct. 30, 1999, at age 47. He was working a college basketball game when he suffered a fatal heart attack.