Jerry Swenson moved to Madison and played pond hockey in his youth. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Marine Corps Reserve, Swenson got involved with McFarland Youth Hockey when it was a very small organization. He became dedicated to growing a small association into a much larger one. Along the way, Swenson served on McFarland’s first Board of Directors, chaired its first fundraiser and coached its first Mite team. He served as an officer as president, vice-president and on the Board of Directors for 21 seasons.
His time at McFarland wasn’t just spent in meeting rooms. He coached Squirts and Bantams and twice finished second in the WAHA Bantam State Tournament. However, Swenson might best be known to McFarland veterans for coaching the Ice Mites Learn to Skate Program for 22 seasons. Swenson went on to become involved also with the Dane County Youth Hockey Council, serving as a Director and Age Level Director at the Peewee, Bantam and Midget levels. Swenson was also instrumental as a builder of the Club High School hockey program, helping to run this program when there was no High School hockey in the smaller communities. Swenson also served as the Ice Scheduler for Region 4 for four seasons. Not content to serve just as a coach or organizer, Swenson became a registered official for more than 15 seasons. He served on the Board of Directors of the Dane County Hockey Officials Association for six seasons. |