Hayes Center, MCC man made NFL and NCAA school's Hall of Fame

LAMOSA, Colo. — A football career spanning from Hayes Center to New York City has landed Roger Nitsch into an NCAA Division II University’s Hall of Fame.

Roger Nitsch was inducted into the Adams State (Colo.) University athletic Hall Of Fame during 2023, his family reported recently.

Roger was a Hayes Center Cardinal, McCook College Indian, Adams State Grizzlie and eventually two years as a National Football League New York Giant.

Roger’s Hayes Center playing days led to the 1964 Nebraska Shrine Bowl game. The halfback would be Hayes Center’s only Shrine Bowl participant for nearly 50 years.

Nitsch also won the Class C state “broad jump” championship as a senior in 1964, reaching a mark of 20’8”.

He then attended McCook Community College and became part of MCC’s first undefeated football team in 1965.

The Indians advanced that season to a Junior College national championship game before losing to Ferrum College (Va.) Panthers by a 16-0 final.

Nitsch was named to the National All-Star Team, the All-Empire Team, JUCO All-American first team and National Junior College “Back of the Year” for 1965.

Roger moved on to Adams State in Alamosa, Colo., for 1966-67. Adams State reached the 1966 Mineral Water Bowl, one of only 11 sanctioned NCAA bowl games during that span.

Yes, pro football was Roger’s final step to the highest level — though not directly from college.

Roger became a real “Bull” playing for the Winchester Bulls (1968) and Long Island Bulls (1969) of the Atlantic Coast Football League.

He then joined the New York Giants in 1970 where he even put his acting skills to test in Gatorade commercials.

Fun fact: Roger’s family revealed he could not stand the taste of Gatorade during his many football playing years.

However, Roger’s career was cut somewhat short when he was drafted into the Marine Corps Reserves during the Vietnam War.

He did play two more seasons but suffered several injuries which led to his retirement.

Roger transferred into the Army Reserves where he served four more years.

Nitsch later did coach football at MCC.

Yet in 199, Roger moved to Chadron and has lived in that comfortable northwest Nebraska town ever since.

He’s been married 34 years to wife Jenea which has been rewarded with five children, 12 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

His family remarked you can often find Roger on the golf course, bowling or playing cards with friends and family.

He was also on the Pitch team for 45 years, known to be pushing rules and laughing more than enough.

Roger retired from Westco in 2012 and later worked part-time at Quality Tire for 10 years doing 3D alignments.

He retired again in 2023.