Otters Name Swanson Assistant A.D./SWA

Jennifer Swanson returns home to strengthen CSUMB administration

January 11, 2023

By: Kevin Gilmore (@OtterKevin)

SEASIDE, Calif. — Cal State Monterey Bay added an important piece to its administrative staff by naming Jennifer Swanson (PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS) as its new assistant athletic director and senior woman administrator.

Swanson joins the Otters with an extensive background in sports performance and physical therapy. Amongst several high profile positions on her CV include serving as the head physical therapist for the Los Angeles Lakers (2016–18) and as the director of sports performance for the Chicago Bulls (2013–16).

"I am honored to be joining the team at CSUMB and am so thankful to Kirby Garry and the members of the search committee for giving me this incredible opportunity," says Swanson. "Everyone has been so welcoming and it's really special to be able to come back home and make a positive contribution to the community I grew up in. I look forward to building relationships, collaborating with the campus community and working with our outstanding coaches and staff in the athletic department to provide a first class student–athlete experience here at CSUMB."

"We are very happy Jen is joining our team. She brings a unique perspective and elite level education, expertise and experience working with high performing athletes and teams to our department and university," says CSUMB Director of Athletics Kirby Garry (@kirbygarry).

Swanson is a Salinas native and returns to the area where she began her athletic career as a standout track performer up the road at Gilroy High School. Her career took off from there where she was a record–setting NCAA Division II pole vault champion and NCAA Olympic Trials qualifier at UC Davis. She was named the Aggie Scholar–Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2001 and was named to the UC Davis Hall of Fame in 2008.

"Jen had a strong student–athlete experience at UC Davis where she was an All–American, national champion and member of the Student–Athlete Advisory Committee," says Garry. "I'm certain she will draw on her personal experiences of being a successful college student–athlete and her professional experiences with high performing teams to guide her role as a mentor, manager and leader for our department. She will have an immediate and positive impact on our mission to serve, challenge and support each other in our pursuit of success."

After earning her B.S. in exercise science at Davis she went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from Duke University. She did her residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where one of her rotations included serving on the athletics training staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

She is a licensed physical therapist and a Board Certified Specialist in both Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy. She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher through Polestar Pilates.

In addition to her experience and educational qualifications, Swanson owns a half dozen national certifications and has been published in several highly regarded journals in her field.

GO OTTERS!

Print Friendly Version