
- Name
- Dan Swartz
- Position
- Center
- Class
- Freshman
- Hometown (Last School)
- Owingsville, KY
- Ht
- 6'4"
- Wt
- 215
- Seasons
- 1951-52
- Birthday
- December 23, 1931
Dan Swartz was born Daniel Scott Swartz on December 23, 1931, in Olympia, Kentucky to Roosevelt and Grace Shultz Swartz.
“Dangerous Dan,” as he was known in high school, was another Kentucky product (from Owingsville) and an All-State selection. He scored more points in his senior year as a prep standout (1950-51) than any other Kentucky high school cager – 881 to give him a three-year total of 2,088 points. Swartz had been handicapped with knee injuries the first three games of his senior high school season, a factor that spoiled his chances to break Wah Wah Jones’ national high school scoring record.
Swartz transferred to what is now Morehead State University (MSU) after his freshman year and had a standout career. “I think he got homesick and went back home to play for Morehead” said former UK All-American and Boston Celtics player Frank Ramsey of Madisonville. “He was a great player. He came to UK and was doing well and just got homesick.”
Ramsey said that Mr. Swartz, who was only about 6-foot-4, wasn’t big for a forward but was tough.
Swartz amassed 1,925 points while at MSU. He won All-American honors in 1957 and was a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference First-Team selection.
Swartz set eight MSU scoring records, including the highest scoring average for a single season (28.6) and career (27.5). His 828 points in his senior season was the highest in MSU history. He also set MSU marks for most field goals attempted (638) and made in a season (2,820), most free throws attempted (344) and made in a season (264) and in a career (685). Swartz scored 40 points or more on three occasions, including a 47-point outburst in 1955 against Middle Tennessee. That performance ranked as the fourth-best in MSU history.
He went on to play for the Celtics, and was a member of the NBA championship team in the 1960s. He also played on other professional teams.
Swartz passed away on April 3, 1997, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky at the age of 65.
