Lynn Schweizer
Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation Lynn Schweizer brings 40 years of experience in athletics to Denison University. As part of her athletic administrative role, Schweizer serves as the North Coast Athletic Conference administrative liaison to the both the Swimming and Diving Committee, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
In addition to assisting with the intercollegiate athletics program, Schweizer also serves as Denison’s Director of Club Sports and Intramurals. One of the model recreation programs in Division III, approximately 700 students participate in Denison’s offering of 32 club sports. Additionally, over 30 percent of the student body competes annually in Denison’s extensive intramural sports program.
Schweizer has been honored frequently throughout her distinguished career but in 2004 she was selected as one of 20 Sports Ethics Fellows by the Institute for International Sports. The Sports Ethics Fellows were chosen for ability to inspire and motivate others to make sports a positive, character building experience for every athlete.
Prior to moving into an administrative role, Schweizer spent over 15 years as a coach in the Denison athletic department. She began her coaching career in 1973 as the head women’s basketball coach, a position she held until 1980. From 1974 through 1985 she served as the head women’s swimming coach and from 1974-86 she held the title of head women’s diving coach. Denison has grown into one of the top swimming and diving programs in the nation and Schweizer played a large role in the development of the men’s and women’s program’s in the 70s and 80s.
In 1983 Schweizer coached a record six Denison athletes to the Division III national championship meet in Canton, Ohio. That year Nancy Dunn became Denison’s first national champion (in any sport) when she won the 50-yard butterfly. In 1986 Schweizer was named the NCAA Women’s National Diving Coach of the Year after coaching Natalie Gibbs and Tiffany Jeisel to a pair of All-American performances at the Division III Championship. Schweizer also coached the men’s diving team from 1984-86 and at the 1986 national championship, Rob Burnett became the first male All-American diver in school history. Additionally, Schweizer coached Denison’s synchronized swimming teams from 1974-79. In the fall of 2010, Schweizer was inducted into the Denison Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.
Schweizer was instrumental in the development of the Physical Education program at Denison, serving as the department chair for 19 years from 1985 through 2004. Part of Schweizer’s administrative role has included serving on many committees to further develop and improve not only the athletics program but the educational aspect, as well. During her tenure, she has served on over 40 campus committees and currently serves on the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics (CIA); Eating Disorder Intervention Team (EDIT); CARE Advocate; Denison Student-Athlete Advisory Council (DSAAC); Varsity D Association Athletic Hall of Fame; APER Facilities Committee; and the University Signage Committee.
In addition to her work on various campus committees, Schweizer is active in the local community and has been the chair of the American Red Cross Water Safety board for Licking County for over 20 years. In 2002, she was awarded the Licking County Red Cross Outstanding Community Achievement Award for her 35 plus years as a volunteer for the Red Cross.
Schweizer earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Ohio University in 1971, and went on to receiver her master’s in physical education from The Ohio State University in 1980.