University of San Francisco Athletics

Athlete All-American

John Swanson

Honors:
Football (1937-1938), Men's Golf (1937-1938)

Graduate of USF and namesake of the annual Swanson Golf Invitational, held each spring at The Olympic Club

Of Golf, Friendship and Johnny Swanson

John Swanson graduated from USF in 1938 during the Depression, having worked his way through college. He played halfback for the Dons, and never forgot the hardship of those days. He was a member of the Sodality Club and the Block Club, and also played golf for the Dons.

He and his wife went on to operate bowling establishments, and he was an avid golfer. When a USF Gold Tournament Committee was formed, Swanson participated to combine his passions of fun, fellowship, and helping others. He was a great story teller, and knew many of the famous golfers. Among his pals was golf pro Tom Weiskopf, and was for years, his pro-playing partner in Bing Crosby's legendary golf tournament. Said Weiskopf, "I'd be walking around Pebble Beach and people would come to John and thank him for doing things for them 20 years earlier. He sent numerous students through college just because he wanted to see them in school (SFChronicle).” In addition, Swanson generated thousands of dollars for student-athlete scholarships.

Writing about Swanson in the San Francisco Examiner, sports writer Art Spander described him this way: "John Swanson is one of those pointedly irreverent individuals who understand that when you get down to basics, there isn't much more to life than a good laugh and a long putt. He never met a golfer he didn't like or couldn't deprecate, whether it was a high handicapper from his home course, San Francisco's Olympic Club, or a pro from the tour, like Jack Nicklaus or Tom Weiskopf. John was open-handed, open-mouthed and open for suggestions, not that he would listen to anyone else's advice. But damn, he could sure give plenty, tattooing you with a needle as quick as it was sharp.”

Schedule

Athlete All-American

Footer

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at El Macero Classic - Day One on Apr. 10, 2026

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball versus Concordia (Calif.) on Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Baseball versus San Diego on Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball at Pepperdine on Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Golf at El Macero Classic - Day Two on Apr. 11, 2026

Upcoming Event: Track and Field versus Jim Linthicum Invitational on Apr. 11, 2026

Upcoming Event: Beach Volleyball at Pepperdine on Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Event: Baseball versus San Diego on Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Athlete All-American

Footer