Skeeter Swift obit

ETSU great “Skeeter” Swift dies at the age of 70

 

He was not on the list.

JOHNSON CITY —  Arguably the best basketball player in ETSU history died today at the age of 70 years old after a long battle with health problems.

A 6’3 guard Harley Skeeter Swift played for ETSU from 1966-1969 and became a three-time all-Ohio valley conference selection, and the player of the year in 1968.

In his junior year, he helped lead the university to a 19-8 regular-season record and into the NCAA tournament field of 32 teams, where they upset fifth-ranked Florida State in the first round.

He went on to become a professional star and played five seasons in the ABA.

Skeeter was inducted into the Tennessee hall of fame in 2010.

A 6'3" guard from East Tennessee State University, Swift was selected in the third round (31st pick overall) of the 1969 NBA draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, but he instead played five seasons in the American Basketball Association as a member of the New Orleans Buccaneers, Memphis Pros, Pittsburgh Condors, Dallas Chaparrals, and San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 11.6 points per game in his professional career.

 

Career history

As player:

1969–1970            New Orleans Buccaneers

1969–1970            Memphis Pros

1970–1972            Pittsburgh Condors

1972–1974            Dallas Chaparrals / San Antonio Spurs

As coach:

1977–1978            Liberty