After spending all four years together, Coach Swan and son senior Elliot Swan will part ways as Elliot prepares for graduation.
“Getting to be around him these past four years has been great,” senior Elliot Swan said.
This is going to be a big transition for both coach Swan and Elliot, with Elliot moving past high school. The Swan duo is now going to be parting ways, and Elliot will not continue to play basketball in the future.
“Knowing that his playing career is done and that he’s going to college soon; it’s going to be an adjustment to all of us,” coach Clint Swan said. “It makes us enjoy these final practices, games and trips even more.”
Elliot has been playing basketball since he was five years old, and his dad, Coach Swan, has been coaching for 28 years. It was difficult for him to be at Elliot’s childhood games because he was busy coaching.
“I had to miss a lot when he was younger because of this job,” Coach Swan said. “I’d have practice or games so I’d have to miss his games so being around him has been great.”
However, when Elliot entered high school his dad became his basketball coach. They were able to have all their practices and games together. Both expressed that being able to spend time together was one of the most fulfilling parts of Elliot’s basketball career.
“The best part for me, as a dad, is the quality time we get to spend with each other every day,” Coach Swan said.
— Coach Swan
Elliot might have had his dad as his coach, but that does not mean it was always easy. Coach Swan pushed his son to work harder, helping to shape Elliot’s game over the years that he coached him.
“He’s definitely been a bit harder on me than the other kids. I would rather have it that way because it’s helped structure me,” Elliot said. “I’m a lot more sharp than I would have been if he wasn’t my coach.”
The Crown Point Bulldogs have been a family for Elliot in his high school years. He is grateful for the people he has spent his four years with.
“It’s bittersweet. It is fulfilling, though, that it will end with such a great team, a great group of guys, and of course with my dad on the team,” Elliot said. “I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.”
Elliot Swam (left) and Coach Swan (right) pose for a picture together.
Coach Swan huddles with his players during halftime.
Senior Elliot Swan dribbles the ball down the court. He wears his longtime number, 11.
