University of South Dakota Athletics

For someone that had never played 11-man football, Willie Seibel had a significant impact as a three-year letter winner for the South Dakota Coyote football team from 1955-57. A native of Herreid, SD, He earned all-North Central Conference honors in 1956. As a member of Coach Ralph Stewart's Coyotes, he was voted team MVP on the 1956 team. Generally regarded as one of the best lineman at South Dakota during the 1950s, Seibel led the way for all-conference backs Wayne Ailts, Carl Johnson, and Ray Schamber. Seibel, a 1957 USD graduate, taught and coached in the high school ranks, including an extended period of time at Vermillion High School. Seibel was voted the 1982-83 South Dakota Wrestling Coach of the Year after guiding the Tanagers to the state wrestling title. His son Kurt was a record-breaking kicker for the Coyotes in the 1980s.