Born in Utica in 1923, Edward Swiecki was an outstanding all-around athlete at Proctor High School, and then an outstanding physical education teacher and coach at Utica Free Academy.

He earned nine letters at Proctor High School in football, track, baseball and basketball, serving as co-captain of the latter two teams. Proctor won city championships in all four sports during his career, and in 1943, the Panthers were undefeated Central Oneida League champions in basketball.

After graduating from Proctor with the outstanding Athlete award in the class of '43, he entered the U.S. Navy. He served in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Near East and the Pacific. Swiecki accompanied Admiral Halsey and his staff on the first American ship up the Tokyo River after World Was II.

After his honorable discharge in late 1945, he entered Syracuse University. He played football the following fall and graduated in 1949.

After additional graduate study, Swiecki began a 37-year career in physical education with the Utica Schools. From 1954 to 1967, he coached football at UFA, compiling a record of 55 wins and 50 losses and three Central Oneida League titles.

In 1973, he developed the soccer program at UFA, coaching the sport until his retirement in 1987. He finished with 150 wins and 75 losses, three Central Oneida League championships and 14 city league titles.

Along the way, Swiecki served as a manager of city pools, a basketball and soccer official, and a volunteer for charitable organizations.

Since 1991, he has forged an impressive career as a competitive swimmer, winning gold medals at the Empire State Games on a regular basis. And on one occasion, he served as official torchbearer at the opening ceremony.