Dr. Lyle Schwarzenbach (2003) - Hall of Fame

Dr. Lyle Schwarzenbach

Induction:
2003
Class:
1967

Lyle Schwarzenbach's enthusiasm for his alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa, has been matched by few. Not only did he provide loyal service to the university, he provided more than two decades of UNI students with advice and compassionate leadership.

He began his long career at UNI in 1964 after graduating high school at Lake Park (Iowa). He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education/business education from UNI in 1967 and played basketball for the Panthers. His playing career came to an abrupt halt due to a knee injury but not before he was a member of championship teams under the guidance of head coach Norm Stewart. He carried his master's in physical education/education administration from UNI in 1968 and his doctorate of educational administration from the University of Wyoming in 1975.

Schwarzenbach served as a UNI teaching assistant from 1967-68 and was awarded a graduate teaching fellowship at Wyoming from 1968-69. He returned to UNI fulltime in 1969 as an instructor and director of Service Programs. He was promoted to an assistant professor in 1972 and to associate professor, in 1976, a position he held until his untimely death April 16, 1993, in a Colorado airplane accident. In 1978, he also was named coordinator of leisure services and in 1979, coordinator of general education.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Swarzenbach was heavily involved in related educational activities. He was the faculty advisor to the I-Club after serving as president during his time as a student-athlete. His activities were a large part in creating the UNI we know today. He was a member of the committee to research the feasibility of the construction of the UNI-Dome. He received the 1982 UNI Alumni Service Award. He proposed the establishment of an athletics Hall of Fame. He wrote the proposal for the Health and Wellness Center and was a member of the University General Education Committee. He served as chair of a UNI athletics director search committee and served as an advisor to a multitude of students and student-athletes.

Swarzenbach directed numerous local and national workshops on athletic administration and physical education, was active as advisory board member and consultant in motor skills rehabilitation for the National Head Injury Foundation, and was involved in program planning, curriculum development, implementation and evaluation consulting services for 118 schools and institutions in 12 states and three foreign countries. At the time of his death, he was co-chair of the $25 million UNI capital campaign, was a member of the Presidential Scholar's Committee, and was serving as committee member and consultant on 22 university strategic planning projects.

He will best be remembered for his 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the university and the inspiring leadership he provided to countless students and other university faculty.