Emmett O. Swanson, a Minneapolis native, first entered competitive shooting (rifle and pistol) in 1923 while a student at the University of Minnesota.
Emmett Swanson: Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Class of 1959
Minneapolis native had 30-year career in competitive shooting.
October 17, 2019 at 7:46PM
![July 1, 1935 Dr. Emmett O. Swanson, national rifle champion, who is figuratively gunning today for justices of the peace after paying a $20 fine imposed by Justice E. S. Enright of Richfield on grounds Swanson was driving a car with a crowded driver's seat. Dr. Swanson plans to appeal the sentence on grounds justice courts operate illegally. He paid the fine, after spending 36 hours in the Hennepin county jail.](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/T4QPA4JYFB75XNN2S7OTDELV3E.jpg?&w=712)
Three years later, he was a national champion after winning the National ROTC Gallery championship.
Swanson, who practiced dentistry, competed as a rifle shooter at both the 1948 and 1952 Olympics. He also served as captain of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.
He had a long career, winning the 1930 World Championship in kneeling free rifle with a world record. He competed at the 1949 and 1952 World Championships, and was the US team leader in 1949. Swanson starred for the US at the 1955 Pan American Games, winning six medals, with three golds and three bronzes, all the golds in team events.
EMMETT SWANSON
Class: 1959.
Sport: Shooting.
Teams: Two U.S. Olympic teams.