FERRIS STATE ATHLETICS ESTABLISHES JIMMY SWEARS COURAGE AWARD

Athletics Award To Be Presented In Memory Of Longtime Local Supporter

An award has been established to honor the memory of longtime Bulldog booster Jim Swears (Photo courtesy of the Big Rapids Pioneer)

The Jimmy Swears Courage Award will be presented to a deserving student or current personnel in the FSU athletics program who, when confronted with a life-altering situation, has used perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome the odds. Potential nominees also would be an inspiration to their peers, serve as a role model to others and be a team leader while responding to adversity. The award will be given on an annual basis provided a qualifying candidate is available and possibly presented in conjunction with Ferris' annual Hall of Fame banquet in the fall pending approval from the Hall of Fame Committee.

Nominees for the award must be involved within the intercollegiate athletics program and will possibly include student-athletes, student managers, student coaches and/or student athletic trainers in addition to current athletics department personnel. Various FSU head coaches and administrators will play a part in the nomination process.

A local businessman and community activist, Swears was a strong supporter of Ferris State hockey, football and basketball. He worked diligently to help develop and maintain FSU's status as a NCAA Division I men's ice hockey program. Additionally, Swears served on the board of directors for the Big Rapids Area Junior Hockey Association and was an active member of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. He was the 2006 recipeint of the Northern Lights Lifetime Achievement Award for business and industry in the Big Rapids area.

The start up costs associated with the award will be aided by a group of Big Rapids business and community leaders in honor of Swears, who was a friend of many people through his involvement in a number of local organizations inclduing the FSU President's Club, Big Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the local Riverwalk Committee. Private donations will fund a plaque to be given to the winner of the award along with a permanent display in the FSU Sports and Convocation Complex.

"This award will help honor the memory, loyalty and dedication of Jim Swears, who was a longtime supporter of Bulldog Athletics," said FSU Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic. "We're thankful for the opportunity to honor deserving representatives of our program who have displayed great courage and will do so in recognition of all that Jim contributed to Ferris State University."

In addition to the Jimmy Swears Courage Award, the FSU Athletics Department annually presents several other awards to deserving student-athletes including the Dean Davenport "Bulldog of the Year" Award, the Willie Bouyer Leadership Award and the Pete Peterson Pride Award.

Swears, who helped establish the first Holiday Gala in the Big Rapids area, owned and operated Carriage Motors before retiring due to declining health in 2000. A member of the board of Isabella Bank and Trust, Swears helped raise funds for the National Spinal Cord Research Association as well as Home Hospice. His hobbies included bridge and poker and watching football, hockey and basketball. He was a former golfer, racquetball and softball player, water skier and bowler along with sponsoring many local teams.

Although a spinal disorder robbed him of the use of his legs, Swears and his electric wheelchair, which he nicknamed "Scooter", were frequently spotted cheering on local teams, including the Bulldogs. His compassion and generous nature were well-known, as well as his devotion to his wife, Deb, and son, Zack, who both survive. The award will be a tribute to the memory of Swears, who despite health problems, continued to enthusiastically aid Bulldog Athletics.