Swanker gets the call from PA Track Hall

North Penn coaching great to be inducted into Pa. Track Hall of Fame

The Swankers’ yard was always packed with kids from the neighborhood.

There was running, jumping, a blur of activity.

In the middle of it all was Richard Swanker, just a middle schooler at the time, giving pointers, instructing — as he says, teaching the other kids “this and that.” A coach was born. “Getting them interested in the sport and getting them to see that they have a future in the sport — it’s awesome to see the kids go,” Swanker said of a lifetime spent in coaching. “I enjoy that the most.

“Taking that lump of clay and molding it into something that can compete — that’s the best. That’s why we do it.”

Swanker molded some masterpieces over the years, guiding the North Penn boys track and field program to perfection — time and time again.

Being recognized for his

many contributions to the sport, Swanker is being inducted into the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame, with a ceremony taking place Feb. 28 during the Indoor State Championship Meet at Penn State University.

A five-time PTFCA Coach of the Year, Swanker’s passion derived from getting the most out of every athlete.

“If you’re here, you’re gonna compete,” he said. “You’re gonna be on a team. You gotta be here every day and make the commitment. And I’ll make sure you get in the meets and do the things that you can do.

“We’ll coach you up the best we can and get you as far as you can possibly go. And the kids bought into it.”

A 1966 North Penn alumnus and former Bux-Mont champion in the pole vault, Swanker would coach the Knights f rom 1982-2005, guiding the team to 16 undefeated outdoor seasons, a Penn Relays Distance Medley Relay title in 2002, and four District One team titles (1984, 1992, 2003, 2005).

By the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the Knights were hungry for a state crown.

“Those are things that get you frazzled,” Swanker recalls with a laugh. “You know you have a good team, but for many years, Glen Mills was such a powerhouse that you couldn’t beat them. They had so many great athletes on their teams.”

In the spring of 2002, on a hot afternoon out at Shippensburg University, the Knights climbed the mountain, capturing a Class AAA