Lynn Swann, a legendary Hall of Fame wide receiver with USC and the Pittsburgh Steelers who then made a mark in the worlds of broadcasting, politics, corporate governance, civic engagement and philanthropy, was named USC’s eighth athletic director on April 13, 2016.He succeeded Pat Haden, who retired as athletic director on June 30.
“I am excited about coming back to USC,” said Swann. “As athletic director, my goals for the student-athletes will be to graduate, to win and to experience.”
In 2016-17 his first year on the job, he saw the football team win the Rose Bowl (while also defeating traditional rivals UCLA and Notre Dame), the women’s soccer and beach volleyball teams win NCAA championships (and 11 other teams finish in the NCAA Top 10), the men’s basketball team defeat highly-ranked crosstown foe UCLA, USC finish fourth in the Directors’ Cup and second in the Women’s Capital One Cup and Trojan athletes win 21 medals (9 golds) at the Rio Olympics.
Well known both within the Trojan Family and globally, the 65-year-old Swann drew on his football success to distinguish himself as an acclaimed leader in both the civic and corporate spheres. He also is a charismatic motivational speaker who has addressed a wide range of audiences across the country, offering an inspiring voice on the importance of assuming responsibility, strong leadership, and maximizing opportunities. As a respected philanthropist, Swann has raised money for a variety of charitable and community organizations, including to provide scholarships for the Pittsburgh Ballet.
Swann served 2 years (1993-95) as chairman of the national board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, an organization with which he was active for more than 30 years. As chairman, he managed more than 400 agencies across the United States and helped establish the organization as the premier mentoring group in the nation.
President George W. Bush appointed Swann as the Chairman of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, where he served from 2002 to 2005.
In 2006, Swann was the Republican nominee for Pennsylvania governor, running a campaign that drew significant praise for its organization and focus as he attempted to become the first African-American governor in that state’s history. He captured 40 percent of the vote against Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell.
He further sharpened his governance experience in the boardroom as a director of such international companies as The H. J. Heinz Company, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. Effective July 1, he will only serve on the Fluor Corporation Board and, until his term ends in November 2016, on the board of the non-profit PGA of America. He was named to Savoy magazine’s 2016 list of the 300 Most Influential Black Corporate Directors.
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