Eric Schwab, a native of Nowata, Oklahoma, joined the Fresno Pacific University faculty in 1994, and has served as head coach for both the men's and women's cross country and track & field programs since that time.
Schwab graduated from Austin College, in Sherman, Texas, in 1989 with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration and physical education. While at AC, Schwab competed three seasons for the Kangaroo track team and one season for the swimming team. Schwab finished 12th in the marathon at the 1989 NAIA National Track and Field Championship. He then moved on to Azusa Pacific University, where he earned a master of science degree in physical education in 1991. While at APU, he served two seasons as the women’s head cross country coach and four years as an assistant coach in track and field.
Schwab has been active within the GSAC and NAIA coaching ranks, serving on the NAIA track and field jury of appeals as well as the track and field national standards committee. He also served as the NAIA Regional cross country rater for four seasons as well as chair of the GSAC Coaches Association for cross country and track for three years.
In 1995, Schwab guided the Sunbird women’s cross country team to a 21st place finish in their first-ever team appearance in the NAIA National Championship in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His 2001 women’s team finished eighth at the National Championship, the best finish in FPU history. Schwab led the 2008 men's cross country team to the National Championship in which they placed 23rd in the field of 32 teams. In 2011, the men's track & field team captured the school's first ever GSAC Championship.
More than 180 of Coach Schwab’s athletes have qualified for and competed at the NAIA National Championships. His FPU athletes have earned 62 NAIA All-American and 79 NAIA Scholar Athlete honors. Schwab’s athletes have won multiple individual national championships.
He has coached two athletes who have won the NAIA's coveted Most Valuable Performer honor at the National Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Ben Bogdanof (2004) and Ethan DeJongh (2011). The Sunbirds placed sixth nationally in 2011, the best finish in school history.
Schwab’s success has not escaped the notice of his peers, who have honored him 10 times as the Golden State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
Schwab still trains on a regular basis and competes in races each year. He attends Evangelical Free Church in Fresno.
THE SCHWAB PHILOSOPHY
Coach Eric Schwab has established a disciplined cross country and track program that balances academic and athletic success and encourages spiritual development of his athletes. Good sportsmanship, respect for self and opponents and a positive attitude are expected of all of Schwab’s athletes. He believes character can be built during times of athletic success as well as times of disappointment. The lessons learned in training and competition prepare his student-athletes for challenges they will face in life beyond college.
