By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
When Patrick Swift was a catcher with the Williamston Tigers, he appeared to be a coach on the field. It almost seemed natural that Swift would end up with a head coaching gig.
Swift earned that position when he was named the inaugural head coach of baseball at Immaculata University in Pennsylvania. The Mighty Macs will begin play in 2010.
Swift began his coaching career at Chowan University, where he was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater for two years. He then accepted an assistant coaching job at Division II Millersville University, where he helped the Marauders win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) East regular-season championship. Swift served as both the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, while also being camp coordinator and helping to organize the budget.
Swift, who also coached the Asheboro Copperheads in the Coastal Plain League, spent some time at York College before accepting the job as head coach at Immaculata.
Swift said the head coaching job fell into his lap rather suddenly.
Swift wasn’t exactly sure he was ready to be a head coach, but his wife, Jennifer, knew he was prepared.
Swift has plenty of work to do as he helps Immaculata, an all-girls school until 2005, prepare for its first season of baseball.
Swift, whose team will play in a brand-new $3.5 million facility, is excited about the tasks that await him.
Swift believes he has the right approach when it comes to playing at a first-year baseball program.
Playing is definitely something Swift could do in his prep and collegiate days.
A WDN All-Area catcher, Swift helped lead the Tigers to prominence.
At Chowan College, Swift was a four-year catcher. During his senior year, Chowan won the 2005 NCCAA South Region championship.
After enjoying success as a player, Swift knows what he’s looking for in players. And though his Mighty Macs may be a first-year program, whose first game will be March 2, 2010, Swift wants to see his team succeed immediately.
Swift, who received his bachelor’s of science degree in Sports Science from Chowan in 2005 and is currently working on his master’s degree in Sports Coaching at the United States Sports Academy at Daphne, Ala., said coaching is in his blood.
Swift said his parents, including his mother, Deborah Swift, have been supportive throughout his life.
Swift is pretty confident his parents will be at that first game on March 2, 2010. He’s already looking forward to being in that dugout and coaching his Might Macs.
Swift is thrilled that he’ll be able to put his stamp on Immaculata’s first baseball season.