Michael Sworden
Michael “Mickey” Sworden, 68, of West Deer, originally of Washington, died of complications from myelodysplastic syndrome Thursday, October 17, 2018, in St. Margaret Hospital, Fox Chapel, surrounded by family.
Coach Mick, as he was known to many, was born June 9, 1950, in Washington, a son of the late Mike and Joan Picconi Sworden.
He was a 1968 graduate of Trinity High School, where he was an athletic standout in football. He was a 1967 PIAA All-State football player at Trinity and was named to the 1967 Big 33 team. He attended Arizona State University and West Liberty University, where he was a two-time All-American (’71-’72) as a member of the NAIA D2 runner-up Hill Toppers. He was the 1972 WVIAC defensive player of the year.
In 1979, he was hired as an assistant football coach at McGuffey High School, and then as a teacher in 1980. He spent 21 seasons at McGuffey as a coach and 30 years as a teacher. Mick, his brother, Frank Sworden, and Richard Borlow took the McGuffey football program from only two prior winning seasons in school history and made the Highlanders an annual contender. The team was coached to three conference championships and a pinnacle undefeated WPIAL championship in 1994. Mick finished his football coaching career with a stint at his alma-mater, before retiring after the 2009 season.
Mickey was enshrined into Washington County Sports Hall of Fame, West Liberty University Hall of Fame and McGuffey High School Hall of Fame.
In addition to his football accolades, he coached high school track and led several athletes to state level medals. He was a Little League baseball and softball coach, a football, basketball and softball official and served on the board for many years at Colonial Woods Recreation Association.
His passions in life were hunting and fishing with his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 26 years, Patricia Mellon Sworden; his sons, Aaron (Bethany Scherer) Sworden of Washington and Adam (Christina Swisher) Sworden of Valparaiso, Ind.; his daughter, Shannon of Gibsonia; three grandchildren, Allison, Brody and Nora; his brothers, Frank (Karen Ward) and Dennis (Debbie Rhetorik); his sister, Sandra Kaminski; and many nieces and nephews. Mickey was godfather to Melissa Kaminski-Robinson.
The family will welcome friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Schellhaas Funeral Home & Cremation Services Ltd., 5864 Heckert Road, Bakerstown. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, October 22, in Bakerstown United Methodist Church, 5760 Route 8, Gibsonia. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memorial Gardens, Dorseyville.
In lieu of flowers, the family recommends memorial donations be made to a local youth sports athletic booster.
To offer condolences, visit www.schellhaasfh.com.