Full Circle: Keeping Coach Swift's Teachings Alive

The best way we can honor this Man, this Mentor, this Coach, this Monumental Figure in the lives of so many is to continue to plant the seeds that he planted in all of us.

The seeds of accountability, the seeds of discipline, the seeds of community, the seeds of accomplishment and of giving back!

To take the lessons learned and do good by them! Each one teach one. We can continue his legacy in our daily walks.

As I reflect on who this Man is and what he means to me I can only shed tears of Joy, tears of Joy knowing that he lives on through his faith and his works here on earth.

Personally, I can attest that without this Man, the list of my accomplishments would not be! No Coach Swift, no college degree, no college degree, no 20 year Career in planting seeds in others as he planted in me. 

To bring it full circle as proof that these precepts work, nearly three years ago, Coach Swift called me asking if I wanted to or knew of anyone that wanted to coach! I immediately thought of Dethrick Slocum! My college teammate at the University of Montana! I knew that he had the skill sets necessary to carry out the task of planting seeds. Two years in and a Championship raised!

It brings it full circle.

It leaves me to wonder, no Coach Swift, no college, no college, no meeting Dethrick Slocum! no meeting Dethrick Slocum, no Championship!?

I'm thankful that I planted a seed.

And once that field is renamed Rich Swift Field, those who step foot on it, better bring their A Game! Coach wouldn't expect anything less!

The Legacy Lives On!

Editor's Note: This blog post was submitted by Don Graves, Class of 1987.