Sun Devil Athletics Mourns the Loss of Danny Seivert
TEMPE, Ariz. - Sun Devil Football mourns the loss of running back and long-time Arizona State Athletics supporter Danny Seivert, who passed away at the age of 88.
Danny Seivert was a multi-sport athlete at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, where he earned all-state honors in football, basketball, baseball, and track & field. Under Head Coach Chink Coleman, Seivert helped the Knights win the 1949 state football championship. As a result, he was named captain of the Arizona High School Football All-Star team in 1949. When he was inducted into the St. Mary's Hall of Fame in 1997, Seivert was called "the greatest athlete to graduate from St. Mary's."
Seivert was heavily recruited by many schools to play football, including Arizona State, Arizona, Houston, Loyola Marymount, Notre Dame, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and Wisconsin. Seivert signed with LMU and played 2 seasons for the Lions (1950-1951), with home games being played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After his sophomore season, Loyola Marymount folded their football program, re-opening the recruitment process all over again. Arizona was in hot pursuit of him yet again. In an effort to lure Seivert to Tucson for football, Arizona Basketball Head Coach Fred A. Enke offered him a basketball scholarship. Seivert turned the offer down and elected to stay in the Valley, picking Arizona State College.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Clyde Smith, Seivert signed with Arizona State College, before redshirting the 1952 campaign. The Sun Devils compiled a (6-3) record, claimed the Border Conference Championship, and delivered a 20-18 road win over Arizona on November 8th, 1952. During his senior season in 1953, ASC finished (4-5-1) overall and played in front of huge crowds at historic Goodwin Stadium. While donning uniform number 27, Seivert was the team's leading rusher and punt returner in 1953, and also played safety on defense. He was the last Sun Devil not named Bobby Mulgado to wear #27, as it was retired in 1958 after the completion of Mulgado's career. Seivert's 85 yard punt return for a touchdown against West Texas State on October 17th, 1953 then tied a school-record. The play currently stands as the eighth-longest punt return in Arizona State history.
After graduating from ASC in 1954, Seivert received a contract offer to play for the Cleveland Browns, and was pursued by the Green Bay Packers. He bypassed their efforts and elected to serve in the Air Force. Following his military service, Seivert played football in 1957 for the Phoenix Suns of the Western Professional Football League under his high school coach Chink Coleman. Seivert raised 6 children and was very active coaching youth sports for his kids. He was devoted to his Catholic faith, successful in the insurance business, and remained involved with ASU sports.
Seivert was a lifelong season ticket holder for Sun Devil football, basketball, and baseball, while serving on Sun Devil Club boards as well. His legacy paved the way for his son, Dr. Mike Seivert, to follow in his footsteps in Tempe. Mike played linebacker for 5 seasons (1974-1978) at ASU under Hall of Fame Head Coach Frank Kush. During Mike's career with the Maroon & Gold, Arizona State achieved a (4-1) record against U of A. He was part of the 1975 team which finished (12-0) overall, won the WAC Championship, and beat Nebraska 17-14 in the Fiesta Bowl. ASU ended the season ranked # 2 in the AP poll and Coaches' poll, which remains the highest ranked team in school history. Seivert's passion and love for his school was passed onto his family, as numerous family members earned degrees to become Arizona State alumni.
Services will take place on Thursday, February 11th inside St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Visitation begins at 9:00AM, rosary at 9:30AM, and mass at 10:00AM. The service will be streamed online: https://www.sfxphx.org/livestream. A private burial will follow at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery.