Wayne Rasmussen - Inducted 1981

Howard High School. 1964 South Dakota State grad. Rasmussen was all-North Central Conference in three sports (twice each in football and basketball and once in baseball) at SDSU. The 6-2, 180-pound Rasmussen was drafted by Detroit in the ninth round and went on to play nine seasons (1964-72) as a defensive back for the Lions.

In his career, he intercepted 16 passes, including a career-high five in 1965, when he returned two for touchdowns. In football at SDSU, Rasmussen played both ways and set seven school records, including season marks for most receptions (29) and most passes intercepted (seven). He led the NCC in receiving in 1962 and was the NCC's most valuable back in `63. SDSU was 24-5-1 in Rasmussen's three years at SDSU, and the Jackrabbits won the NCC title all three years. A starting guard in basketball, he was named the most outstanding player at the 1963 NCAA College Division tournament, when SDSU won the national title.