Hall of Fame
Stephan Swentkowsky ’91 was an imposing figure for the Washington & Jefferson defense and helped usher in an era of football in which the Presidents became a national championship contender each season.
In 1989, Swentkowsky was selected the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Still today, he remains one of only five W&J defenders in history to earn the league’s player of the year honor.
Swentkowsky, a defensive end, earned three All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference awards, including first-team accolades in 1989 and 1990. He helped the Presidents win four conference titles and he remains W&J’s all-time sack leader with 43. In 1988, he produced 15.5 sacks which still ranks as the third-highest, single-season total in school history.
The 1990 Champion U.S.A. Division III All-American is tied for third in W&J history with 56.5 tackles for a loss.
Swentkowsky was a part of three NCAA Division III playoff teams and the defense posted nine shutouts with him as a member of the unit. During his senior season, the Presidents posted three consecutive shutouts with victories over Hampden-Sydney (38-0), Thiel (31-0) and Grove City (56-0). That same year, W&J defeated Ferrum 10-7 in the opening round of the 1990 NCAA playoffs.
Following his collegiate career, Swentkowsky signed a contract to play professionally for the Hamilton Tigercats in the Canadian Football League; however, his career was abruptly cut short due to injury.
Swentkowsky is currently the senior district manager at Medronic.
