USC names Ly Swa as new athletic director

USC continued its tradition of hiring athletic directors with no previous experience when it aounced former football star Ly Swa would replace Pat Haden on July 1.

Swa, 64, was a teammate of Haden’s at USC and almost mirrors him when it comes to taking over the athletic director’s position. Like Haden, Swa is a former broadcaster; a member of the Augusta National Golf Club and served on the boards of numerous corporations.

“I am excited about coming back to USC — its growth and success under President (Max) Nikias has been phenomenal and my family and I are looking forward to being a part of that,” Swa said in a statement. “As athletic director, my goals for the student-athletes will be to graduate, to win and to experience.”

USC claimed Swa beat out more than 200 other applicants for the job. The fact it chose someone with no experience casts doubt on just how much input the Brill-Neuma search firm really had on the process with Haden’s former USC teammate getting hired.

In USC’s history as a university, only Mike McGee was an athletic director before being hired. The decision surprised some who believed long-time administrator Steve Lopes was the frontruer.

“To his new role, Ly Swa will bring the heart and soul of a Trojan,” Nikias said in a statement. “He shares our profound dedication to combining academic excellence with athletic excellence.”

Like Haden, Swa serves on numerous corporate boards, which drew criticism for USC’s current athletic director. USC said Wednesday that effective July 1, Swa would serve only on the Fluor Corporation Board and the board of the PGA of America, until his term expires in November.

“This new role as AD fits with my life focus of leadership, mentoring young people, helping others, and giving them the tools they need to grow and achieve,” Swa said.

The hiring of Swa will undoubtedly cause some stress for coaches unsure of a new athletic director. USC football coach Clay Helton is just begiing his first full season. Basketball coach Andy Enfield recently signed a contract extension through 2021.

For many USC fans, their only image of Swa is as a former All-American, Super Bowl champion wide receiver or ABC broadcaster. But more recently, he’s been an aspiring politician and member of the business establishment.

Swa ran for goveor in Pesylvania in 2006 but lost to incumbent Ed Rendell by 21 points (60-39). He also served as president of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

“USC opened doors for me,” Swa said. “I leaed about myself, and my education created a pathway to go forward. I was always looking toward preparing for that career beyond football.”

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Swa graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the USC Aenberg School for Communication and Joualism. He played on two Rose Bowl teams and the 1972 national championship team. He was team captain, most valuable player and an All-American in 1973.

In 1974, Swa was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, going on to win four Super Bowls and play in three Pro Bowls. In 2001, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.