• Golden Bears Middle Distance Runner (1989-1993)
• Golden Bears Track & Field (1989-1993)
• Golden Bears Cross-Country (1992/93)
• 4-time CIAU Medalist (3 Gold, 1 Silver)
• 8-time Canada West Medalist (3 Gold, 3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
• Two-time Golden Bears Track MVP (1992, 1993)
• 1992/93 Bears Cross-Country MVP
• Golden Bears record holder in 4x800m relay (7:32.95) set on March 10th, 1993 in Toronto
• Held Bears program record in 1000m (2:24.17) for 19 years. 

There was a measure of humility, grace, and unparalleled athleticism when one watched Rob Swartz, ‘94 BSC Pharm, compete in middle-distance running events for the Golden Bears. 

But despite his calm demeanor and modesty, what was hidden underneath was a fearless competitor, one who propelled both the Track & Field and Cross-Country programs in the late 80’s and early 90’s. 

Both an individual and team champion, who set numerous Golden Bears records during his time on campus, Swartz was the catalyst in re-establishing the Track and Cross-Country teams as conference and national title contenders. 

Between 1989 and 1993, Swartz captured four CIAU medals – including three individual national titles – and eight Canada West medals. He also helped lead the Track & Field team to a 1993 Canada West team title, their first in over a decade. 

A star student-athlete in every sense possible, Swartz also excelled academically as a student in the Faculty of Pharmacy, earning academic recognition in each of his five years on campus. 

“Rob’s athletic accomplishments are well-known and unsurpassed in the decades since he ran for the Bears, and I benefited enormously from watching him balance the grind of daily training with a challenging academic load,” said former teammate James Aldridge. “In the course of leading the Golden Bears to conference championships and individual national titles, Rob was unfailingly modest, academically outstanding, and always conducted himself with the highest measure of integrity. In our four years of competition together, Rob established the quintessential example of sportsmanship and citizenship for all Golden Bears since.” 

Swartz’s athletic excellence first came to light in 1990/91, his second season as a varsity athlete. Alongside Aldridge, Andrew Hawkes, and Eamonn Muldowny, Swartz and the Bears captured silver in the 4x800m relay at the conference championship in Winnipeg. It was a sign of things to come, and a metaphorical dam breaking, as the next two seasons saw Swartz reach heights very few Bears ever have.

1992 marked the return of the Golden Bears as a team championship contender, as they placed second at the Canada West Championship in Saskatoon, their best team finish in five years. Swartz led the pack with gold medals in the 1000m and 1500m, adding silver in the 4x400m, and bronze in the 4x800m.

Swartz announced himself on the national stage just a few weeks later at the CIAU Championship in Winnipeg, capturing gold in the 1000m, and silver in the 1500m. His national title in the 1000m was particularly noteworthy, as not only did he set a new program record with a time of 2:25.13, he did so from the first heat of two, typically the slower of the two heats. 

Swartz made his debut with the Cross-Country team in the fall of ‘92 upon the return of the program. The transition from the track to the trails were seamless, as he led the Bears with a fifth place finish at the Canada West Championship, giving him the distinct honour of being a conference all-star in two sports. 

1992/1993 was his best season as a student-athlete, with his ‘93 Track accomplishments among the best ever for a Golden Bear. Swartz finished with three medals at the conference championship in the Universiade Pavilion at the UofA – including gold in the 4x800m relay – to lead Alberta to their first conference banner since 1982.

The 1993 CIAU Championship was Swartz’s crescendo, as finished as a double national champion, winning both the 4x800m relay and 1000m, setting another program record in the 1000m of 2:24.17 that stood until 2022. Running the anchor leg of the 4x800m, Swartz then pulled off one of the greatest feats in Bears history, racing back from a massive gap to shock the crowd with a marvelous comeback. After a teammate was cut-off and fell earlier in the relay, Swartz faced a seemingly insurmountable Manitoba lead, only to run his leg in 1:49.50, a mark not far off a Canadian record.

“I’ve never seen a miracle, but I witnessed the nearest thing to it,” said teammate Mike Wride following the competition, who, alongside the rest of the Bears, watched in amazement from the stands. 

After graduating from the University of Alberta in 1994, Swartz immediately began a successful career as a pharmacist. Alongside his wife Joan, Swartz owns and operates the Bentley, Alberta IDA Pharmacy. He has also spent time as a high school cross-country coach, and a youth soccer coach in his community. 

Rob Swartz is the sixth Golden Bears Track & Field alumni, and second Cross-Country alumni to be inducted onto the UofA Sports Wall of Fame.