Jan. 21, 2006
CHICAGO, Ill. - Former UC Davis baseball coach Phil Swimley, who led the Aggies to morethan 900 wins and a trip to the 1995 NCAA Division II College World Series, was recently inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame during its annual conference in Chicago, Ill.
Swimley was enshrined in the ABCA Hall of Fame along with Dean Bowyer of Minnesota State-Mankato, Ed Cheff of Lewisand Clark State (Ore.) and Tommy Thomas of Valdosta State (Ga.). Swimley will be honored at UC Davis during halftime ceremonies at the Feb. 23 men's basketball game against UC Irvine at The Pavilion.
"It's exciting," Swimley said of his honor. "It gave me a chance to recognize some people who helped me along the way and I appreciate it. It's a real honor and I feel flattered that (the ABCA) thought of me."
Swimley, who began coaching at UC Davis in 1965, finished his outstanding Aggie coaching career with an overall record of 902-832-15 (.516) while leading the Aggies to eight conference championships, six trips to the NCAA Division II West Regional and a berth in the College World Series in 1995.
Additionally, he won 585 league games at UC Davis and was named the 1995 West Region Coach of the Year by the National Association of Baseball Coaches (NABC). He earned his 500th career win in 1990 and reached the 800-win plateau in 1999, both victories coming agaisnt Sacramento State.
Swimley began his UC Davis coaching career in the fall of 1965 as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. He earned his nearly 900 wins despite playing a schedule that included every major collegiate baseball program in Northern California, including Cal, Stanford and local rival, Sacramento State.
Swimley earned his 500th career win in 1990 and reached the 800-win plateau in 1999, both victories coming against Sacramento State. His 900th win came in th regular-season finale of the 2002 season against UC San Diego.
In addition to his head coaching duties, Swimley was a catalyst for the construction of the James M. and Ann Dobbins Stadium, formerly known as Community Stadium.. He spent countless hours in the planning, fundraising and construction of the stadium. As a result, the Aggies' home field is one of the finest collegiate baseball facilities in California.
In 1977, Swimley spent a sabbatical year as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona, the defending NCAA champions that year.
As a player, Swimley's record was equally impressive. While playing outfield and pitching for Stockton College, Swimley was instrumental in bringing the California Junior College State Championship to the school in his second year.
After transferring to the University of Washington, he earned All-Coast honors as a pitcher and hit over .420 to rank third in the nation in his senior year. In the summer, he played for the Cheyney Studs, which won the semi-pro national championship. Swimley's collegiate career became further distinguished in the spring of 2001, when he was selected to the University of Washington All-Century baseball team.
Following college, Swimley was signed by the New York Yankees and played four years in that organization. He advanced to the Class AA level as an outfielder. Unable to break into the major league lineup, Swimley accepted a coaching opportunity at San Joaquin Delta College. After earning his master's degree in physical education from Sacramento State, Swimley came to UC Davis in 1965 and was a mainstay on the coaching staff until retiring in 2002..
