Brian Swanson joined Cal Poly Pomona as the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics on May 31, 2005, and became the Broncos’ seventh director since 1974 when intercollegiate athletics became an official department of the University.
In his 18th year at the helm of Bronco Athletics in 2022-23, Swanson can look back and reflect on some stellar performances and department accomplishments over the years.
Over the past six years, Broncos teams have reached the post-season in 52 of 58 opportunities, and have won multiple West Region titles in Women’s and Men’s Basketball, Baseball and Men’s Soccer. Broncos teams have reached their respective National Championship finals on multiple occasions, men’s basketball won the 2010 National Championship, and Justin Ellerbee was the 2015 pole vault National Champion.
Over the past 13 years, the cumulative grade point average of student-athletes has remained above a 3.0, and in 2019-20, 80 student-athletes were recognized by the California Collegiate Athletic Association as academic All-Conference awardees.
Enhancing facilities has been an on-going focus with outstanding results. During the summer of 2019, Phase 2 of the Scolinos Field (baseball) multi-phased modernization project was completed by installing a new concrete backstop, safety and pro-style setting system, new internal fencing and a branded field turf halo. Additionally, a new Tifway 419 natural grass playing surface was installed in both the infield and outfield after a complete regrading of the entire sub surface, and installation of an entirely new stadium-wide warning track. Phase 1 ($1.1 million) was completed in January 2016 by installing lights, and new scoreboard and other amenities (a first in the 56 years of the CPP baseball program).
In July 2019, Kellogg Stadium (soccer) had a new Bandera Bermuda natural grass playing surface installed, new scoreboard (2018) and added pro-style goals (2017). A new Broncos Performance Center was opened in April 2017, which is a modern strength and conditioning facility. Kellogg Arena has been completely renovated with new floor, seating, lighting, sound system and, in 2015, the addition of BroncoVision – a 16’ x 9’ Daktronics jumbotron. Additionally, a new Hall of Fame display was re-launched in 2014 and a student success lab was established in 2016. Offices and locker rooms have been modernized along with the training room. A new GearBoss inventory and equipment management system was installed during the summer of 2016.
The 2014-15 year proved to be one of the most successful years as CPP Athletics earned the Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup which is awarded to the most successful athletic department in the conference. After winning the Commissioner's Cup, the department received recognition on campus as well, being named the Division of Student Affairs Program of the Year. Under Swanson's leadership, the Broncos have placed among the top three finishers in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Commissioner's Cup standings in eight consecutive years.
In September 2014, Cal Poly Pomona Intercollegiate Athletics launched a new visual identity with logo and wordmarks alongside a redesigned www.broncoathletics.com website. Bronco Athletics signed as a Nike branded institution and the University Bookstore experienced tremendous increases in sales from the release of the new logo on the well-received product line, which continues to be highly visible on campus.
Cal Poly Pomona Intercollegiate Athletics regularly hosts championships including the 2005 NCAA Women’s & Men’s Cross Country National Championships, 2008 NCAA Women’s and Men’s Track & Field National Championships, NCAA Women’s Basketball West Regional (twice), NCAA Baseball West Regional, CCAA Championships in Women’s & Men’s Basketball, Women’s & Men’s Soccer, and Women’s & Men’s Cross Country.
Swanson has served on the NCAA Regionalization Working Group and served as a mentor for the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association (ADA) Women and Minorities Mentoring Program, the NCAA Division II Membership Committee and also the Division II Long-Range Projections Task Force as part the new CBS Television agreement with the NCAA. On campus service includes the Facilities Master Planning Committee, University Branding Steering Committee and Space & Event Management Working Group.
Prior to Cal Poly Pomona, Swanson was the Associate Athletics Director at Cal State L.A., where he supervised sports, developed and maintained the department’s corporate partnership program and individual fund-raising efforts as well as supervising special projects and events, game management and game day operations. While at Cal State L.A., Swanson increased the division’s overall external support 112 percent over five years and helped originate and administer the first five athletic endowments in school history. He also handled marketing and promotions and served on the executive committee of the Billie Jean King and Friends "Honoring Joe Shapiro" event, which raised more than $1 million for athletic scholarships.
Prior to Cal State L.A., Swanson spent six years at Cal State Northridge. During his time with the Matadors, Swanson was the Assistant Director for External Affairs. He developed the Matador Business Associates, which increased corporate and individual partnerships by 380 percent and also coordinated the passage of a successful athletics fee referendum, which generated millions of dollars for 20 sports programs. In addition, he oversaw ticket operations and football scheduling and served as the finance chair for the Fourth of July San Fernando Valley Fireworks Spectacular.
Before Cal State Northridge, Swanson was the director of business operations at the Rio Grande Plantation in Puerto Rico, where he coordinated all marketing, sales and promotion for incentive group business. He also was a stockbroker for Edward D. Jones and Company for three years and increased cash management accounts by 100 percent.
Swanson, awarded the Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year in 2015-16, earned his master’s degree in sports administration from Western Illinois University and his bachelor’s degree in business administration-finance from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University). Swanson resides in Tustin with his wife Julie and daughter Sophia.
