Swanker, from Lansdale, Pa., graduated from AC in 1970 as the program’s all-time leading scorer (398 points) and was the school’s two-time track MVP. Swanker, whose point total was later surpassed by Hall of Famer John Liles (’72), routinely competed in four or five events per meet and participated in eight events during the 1968 season.

He won three Carolinas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) pole vault titles, breaking the school record in that event several times before finishing with a best of 13 feet, nine inches. He also set school records in the javelin (160-6) and the triple jump (43-6).

Swanker retired after teaching for 34 years in the North Penn School District and coaching for 24 years (1982-2005) at North Penn High school, where he directed the Knights’ track and field program to 18 straight Bux-Mont and Suburban One league championships, including the final 10 of his career. Along the way, they won one state championship and five district titles. He is heralded as one of Northern Pennsylvania’s all-time great prep track coaches, having amassed a 176-9-1 record in dual spring meets, winning his last 77 straight from 1995-2005 and going undefeated 16 times. He also coached seven 4×800 relay Indoor State Championship teams.

Five times he was named the Pennsylvania Track & Field Coaches Association Coach of the Year. For the last three years, he has been CEO of the Track & Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia, and he was inducted into the North Penn Hall of Fame.

Swanker also played prep sports at North Penn, starring in cross country, football and track.

“It (being named to the Barton Hall of Fame) is just a tremendous honor,” Swanker said. “I loved North Carolina. Going to AC was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

He joined Liles and Jim Boykin (’72) as former AC track athletes in the Barton Hall.

Swanker resides in Lansdale, Pa., with his wife, Robin; daughter, Heather; and son, Daniel.