Keith Swagerty
Encyclopedia
Keith M. Swagerty is a retired American
basketball
player and coach. A forward out of the University of the Pacific
, he played two seasons in the American Basketball Association
(ABA).
Swagerty, a 6'7 power forward
out of Camden High School
in San Jose, California
, played for Pacific
from 1964 to 1967. He was one of the most highly-decorated players in Tiger history, as he was named West Coast Conference player of the year
twice (1966 and 1967) and was a first team Academic All-American and an honorable mention All-American
as a senior. Swagerty averaged 20.1 points and 18.4 rebounds per game for his career and led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament
in 1966
and their first NCAA tournament win in 1967
, beating defending national champion Texas Western. He graduated as Pacific's all-time leading rebounder.
Following his college career, Swagerty was drafted in both the 1967 NBA Draft
by the New York Knicks
(fourth round, 36th pick) and in the 1967 ABA Draft by the Houston Mavericks
. Instead, he opted to play in Italy
for Candy Bologna. He joined the ABA's Mavericks the following year (1968–69
), averaging 12.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in 77 appearances. The next year he played for the Kentucky Colonels
, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in three games.
Swagerty then went into coaching, serving as head coach at Seattle Pacific University
from 1974 to 1980. He ammassed an 87-61 record at SPU, including a Division II NCAA tournament
appearance in 1977
.
He left coaching in 1980 and went into private business.
Keith Swagerty is the cousin of 1968 Olympic
bronze-medalist
swimmer
Jane Swagerty
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player and coach. A forward out of the University of the Pacific
University of the Pacific
The University of the Pacific is a private university in Stockton, California, United States, originally affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
, he played two seasons in the American Basketball Association
American Basketball Association
The American Basketball Association was a professional basketball league founded in 1967. The ABA ceased to exist with the ABA–NBA merger in 1976.-League history:...
(ABA).
Swagerty, a 6'7 power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
out of Camden High School
Camden High School (San Jose, California)
Camden High School was the second school built in the Campbell Union High School District and the first of several to close. Originally located at the corner of Camden Avenue and Union Avenue in San Jose, California, much of its campus has now been sold and converted into a shopping center...
in San Jose, California
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, played for Pacific
Pacific Tigers men's basketball
The University of the Pacific Tigers Mens Basketball team are an NCAA Division I basketball team, part of the Big West conference. The team is based in Stockton, California. They play their home games at Alex G. Spanos Center and are led by head coach Bob Thomason.-NCAA Tournament Results:The...
from 1964 to 1967. He was one of the most highly-decorated players in Tiger history, as he was named West Coast Conference player of the year
West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The West Coast Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is a basketball award given to the most outstanding men's basketball player in the West Coast Conference. The award was first given following the 1952–53 season, when the conference was known as the California Basketball Association...
twice (1966 and 1967) and was a first team Academic All-American and an honorable mention All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
as a senior. Swagerty averaged 20.1 points and 18.4 rebounds per game for his career and led the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
in 1966
1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1966 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 22 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 7, 1966, and ended with the championship game on March 19 in College Park, Maryland...
and their first NCAA tournament win in 1967
1967 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1967 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 11, 1967, and ended with the championship game on March 25 in Louisville, Kentucky...
, beating defending national champion Texas Western. He graduated as Pacific's all-time leading rebounder.
Following his college career, Swagerty was drafted in both the 1967 NBA Draft
1967 NBA Draft
The 1967 NBA Draft was the 21st annual draft of the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on May 3, 1967 before the 1967–68 season. In this draft, 12 NBA teams took turns selecting amateur U.S. college basketball players. A player who had finished his four-year college eligibility...
by the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
(fourth round, 36th pick) and in the 1967 ABA Draft by the Houston Mavericks
Houston Mavericks
The Houston Mavericks were a charter member of the American Basketball Association. They played in the upstart league's first two seasons, from 1967 to 1969. Their home arena was the Sam Houston Coliseum...
. Instead, he opted to play in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
for Candy Bologna. He joined the ABA's Mavericks the following year (1968–69
1968–69 ABA season
The 1968-69 ABA season was the second season for the American Basketball Association. Two teams relocated: Minnesota Muskies became the Miami Floridians. The Pittsburgh Pipers moved to Minnesota and the Minnesota Pipers. Two others relocated within their territory. The Anaheim Amigos became the Los...
), averaging 12.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in 77 appearances. The next year he played for the Kentucky Colonels
Kentucky Colonels
The Kentucky Colonels were a member of the American Basketball Association for all of the league's nine years. The name is derived from the historic Kentucky colonels. The Colonels won the most games and had the highest winning percentage of any franchise in the league's history, but the team did...
, averaging 2.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in three games.
Swagerty then went into coaching, serving as head coach at Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle Pacific University is a Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions, located on the north slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, Washington, USA. It was founded in 1891 by the Oregon and Washington Conference of the Free Methodist Church as the Seattle Seminary...
from 1974 to 1980. He ammassed an 87-61 record at SPU, including a Division II NCAA tournament
NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Championship
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship is an annual championship tournament for colleges and universities that are members of NCAA Division II, a grouping of schools in the United States that are generally smaller than the higher-profile institutions of Division I...
appearance in 1977
1977 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournament
The 1977 NCAA Men's Division II Basketball Tournament involved 32 schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division II college basketball as a culmination of the 1976-7 NCAA Division II men's basketball season...
.
He left coaching in 1980 and went into private business.
Keith Swagerty is the cousin of 1968 Olympic
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
bronze-medalist
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
swimmer
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
Jane Swagerty
Jane Swagerty
Jane Ellen Swagerty is a former American swimmer. Swagerty won a bronze medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City....
.