*RAY SWARTZ, Navy coach built two distinct careers of national and international coaching. In the mid-1930’s, he built Central Oklahoma into a national power that placed 2^nd in 1936 with two NCAA champions. Ray’s18-9-1 record included two wins over Oklahoma and a tie with Oklahoma State, coaching three Top 10 teams. He began at Navy in 1939 and won four straight team titles, ’43-46, the last to do so until 1996. He was 125-35-4 over 21 seasons and his top college star, Pete Blair, was a 2-time NCAA champion in ’54-55 and won Olympic bronze in 1956. Swartz NCAA rules committee chairman, and published articles on wrestling and combat, a pioneer of the international styles.

      An expert teacher of coaches and officials, and a referee/judge in four Olympics, his career highlight came in 1952 as Olympic coach. His team earned a gold and two silvers, and one of his Navy proteges, Joe Henson, won bronze. In his native Oklahoma Swartz was a two-time state champion and starred in five sports. His wrestling career at Oklahoma State was limited by the first-ever three-time NCAA champion, Earl McCready. Swartz was a Cowboy football and track standout.