May 15, 2008
DAVIS, Calif. - Larry Swanson, Associate Athletics Director of External Affairs for 20 years, has announced he will retire in June after more than three decades of service to UC Davis, closing a tenure marked by the department's move to NCAA Division I as well as the development of TeamAGGIE and the Aggie Pack.
Swanson came to UC Davis in 1972, spending 12 years in housing as the associate director for business. In 1984, he left UC Davis to oversee the construction of the Chaminade Hotel in Santa Cruz. A year later, he served as the hotel's general manager. In 1986, after two years away from UC Davis, Swanson returned to the campus as the athletics business manager. He moved into his current role as associate athletics director in 1988.
During Swanson's tenure, he started TeamAGGIE, the athletic department's official booster organization, which has grown to nearly 2,000 from the approximately 300 members when it was known as the Cal Aggie Booster Club. In 1992, he helped found the Aggie Pack, which has grown into one of the largest student spirit organization in the nation with more than 8,000 annual members. In addition to currently overseeing the units of Marketing & Promotions, Creative Communications and Media Relations, Swanson also serves as a sport supervisor for six Aggie programs.
"I don't think there's anyone more enthusiastic about the Aggies than Larry," said Greg Warzecka, Director of Athletics. "He's always been the kind of person who has easily connected to his colleagues, student-athletes and to students in general. He has a very engaging personality that makes everyone feel excited about supporting Aggie Athletics.
"His contributions have been integral to the growth and success of our athletics program and to our elevation to NCAA Division I membership."
Swanson has played an instrumental role in helping give athletics an identity, not only from the standpoint of the student body but also the community.
"The most significant difference is the community and campus view of the program and the importance of the program as part of UC Davis," said Swanson. "When I walked in, athletics was part of a teaching program, definitely part of the physical education program. It was not looked on as a focal point of the university. It was much lower key and wasn't a rallying point or as much of a source of community involvement. Now, UC Davis Athletics is much more regionally known and is a focal point of the university."
For the past 20 years, Swanson has served as the public address announcer for gymnastics and has spent several years in the same capacity for both football and men's basketball. He has also emceed the Aggie Auction since its inception and has been the event's auctioneer for the past seven years. Since the mid-90's, his responsibilities have included serving as a sport supervisor.
"UC Davis has one of the best coaching staffs you will find anywhere," he said. "They're super-committed, believe in the teaching concept and have retained that. I think it's a huge plus that all head coaches teach which keeps them connected to the student body and to each other in a way that's very, very unique to this campus."
As Swanson reflects on his time at UC Davis, he sees one common thread running through all student-athletes, the student body, coaches, faculty and staff.
"People stay at UC Davis," he said. "They come, they love it, they're committed and want to make it an even better place. All the faculty and staff stay. The coaches stay. The students are so enthusiastic about it that when they leave, they still want to stay connected. UC Davis is a very unique and positive place."
Swanson has worked with six athletics directors since joining the department in 1986. That includes serving as an interim co-athletic director for one year. His retirement becomes effective at the end of June. A national search will be conducted to find his replacement.
