Hall of Honor
As Caltech only played JV Basketball from 1985-1989, Swanson was part of the re-birth of the Varsity program, playing two of his four years at the Varsity level. Swanson was named to the All-SCIAC Second Team once as a center and was the first Beaver hoopster to be awarded by the conference since 1970, a span of 20 years. Named Caltech's first Male Athlete of the Year in 1991, Swanson also won the program's first Ted Ducey Award, given annually to the SCIAC men's basketball player who makes the most of his athletic ability and demonstrates the personal characteristics of leadership, self-discipline, determination, sportsmanship and a commitment to academics. He held the record for second best field goal percentage in a season, fifth in all-time points in a season and seventh in blocks for a season. As a member of the Track & Field program, Swanson was a high jumper, frequently clearing 6 feet and finishing on the podium at meets. He also contributed to the water polo program, especially in his junior year. Swanson served on the Student Body Board of Directors, was the Senior Class President, was Fleming House president all while attending Caltech on a Navy ROTC scholarship. His ROTC participation required him to travel to USC as there was no physical program held on the Caltech campus. Upon graduation, Swanson was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and served in a variety of roles over 20 years, culminating in his service as Director of the Navy's Nuclear Power School. He transitioned to civilian life professionally by joining Honeywell Aerospace and currently serves as an Engineering Manager at Duke Energy.
