Wheaton College Athletics

Jack Swartz, a 1952 graduate, made a significant impact on Wheaton Athletics over the years, as a player, coach and athletic director. During his playing days with the Crusader football team, Wheaton won two CCI titles from 1948-51 and was victorious in 26 out of 34 games. In a period when the pass was a secret weapon rather than bread-and-butter, Swartz caught touchdown passes in each of his four years. In his senior season, he crossed the goal-line five times, four on receptions and once when he recovered a fumble in the air and ran 41 yards for the touchdown. Swartz was a team co-captain his junior and senior season and was named CCI All-Conference on both offense and defense his senior season.

Swartz went on to become the head coach for the Crusaders from 1961 through 1968 and compiled a 41-30 record. Jack’s best season came in 1961 when he was named District No. 5 Coach of the Year while leading the Crusaders to an undefeated 8-0 record. Swartz was also the Wheaton Athletic Director from 1975-1983 where he led Wheaton’s intercollegiate athletics program to grow immensely and gain nationwide respect.