The football and soccer field at Patrick Henry High School – known for years informally as Porter’s Playground – is now officially Don Swanson Field, in commemoration of the years of dedicated service by its namesake. The school dedicated its field to Swanson, or Swannie as he’s more commonly known, on September 28 at a ceremony immediately preceding the Patriots’ football game against Southwest High.
The newly-named football and soccer field is part of the larger Porter Athletic Complex, named for former Patrick Henry Principal William Porter, which also houses Victory Memorial Ice Arena and the Richard Cassidy Baseball Diamond.
Swanson served as a teacher and football coach in Minneapolis Public Schools for more than 30 years, with the vast majority of his career spent at Patrick Henry. A former graduate of South High, Swanson went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the Gustavus Adolphus College and his masters from the University of Minnesota.
“Swannie has given over 50 years of his time and energies to the athletic program and students of the Minneapolis Public Schools,” said Patrick Henry Athletic Director Dave Wicker. “When people said things couldn’t happen, Swannie made those things happen to the benefit of the students at MPS.”
He began his coaching and teaching career at Minneapolis Central High in the mid-1950s, and then went to Patrick Henry in 1957. He spent three years as an assistant football coach, and became the Patriots’ head coach in 1960. He remained in that role until 1980, when he became the schools’ full-time athletic director.
During his years at Patrick Henry, Swanson taught biology, science and physical education. He also served as head wrestling coach for 15 years, assistant track coach for five years and directed intramural sports during his entire tenure at Patrick Henry. Swanson retired in 1985.
His retirement, rather than marking the end of more than 30 years of service to the district, became merely a transition for Swanson. For the more than 20 years following his retirement, Swanson continued his active participation with MPS athletics throughout the ‘80s, ‘90s and into this century.
“He hung around and continued to help the schools’ football programs in the city of Minneapolis,” said former Washburn High Football Coach George Lansing, a longtime friend of Swanson’s. Lansing, now 62, played football for Swanson as a Patrick Henry student in the 1960s and then went on to become a teacher and football coach himself, as a colleague and frequent opponent of Swanson’s in the 1970s.
Swanson was immensely popular among his players, students and colleagues, and was known for his work to help students in need.
When schools began charging participation fees for sports and other extra-curricular activities, Swanson helped set up scholarship funds for students who couldn’t afford the fees. For players who had limited or no health insurance, Swanson made sure they were treated by quality physicians. He also worked to make sure qualified athletic trainers would be available for all Minneapolis High Schools.
He also was known for his strong support for the high school band and cheerleaders, and he frequently sent the students in these organizations thank-you notes and stressed to them their importance to the sports program, the school at large and the community.
Swanson, following his retirement, also convinced the Minnesota Vikings organization to take over sponsorship of a dinner and event for sports coaches and player captains, which had formerly been an annual event held at the Minneapolis Athletic Club. “People are coming from all over the country for this event,” Lansing said. “Former players, coaches, successful business people, all kinds of backgrounds are coming for this. They’re all very excited.”
During his years in coaching and among his many titles, awards and recognitions, Swanson has earned notoriety as president of the Minneapolis Coaches Association, president of the Minnesota State Football Coaches Association, District 17 Football Coach of the Year and Region 5 Football Coach of the Year. In 1985, he was enshrined in the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also has been named to the Minnesota High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, Minnesota State Minor League Football Association Hall of Fame, and he is a charter member of the Patrick Henry High School Hall of Fame.