Major: Mathematics
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Career Highlights: Four-time letter winner for Cross Country and Track and Field
Biography: Sweet was on the cross country and track field teams for your years on the Hilltop. He ran the 880 in a time of 1:58 on a dirt track at San Franciscco State, and turned in a sub 55 time in the 440 hurdles under the lights at UC Davis. After graduation Sweet enrolled in the US Army, and later in life continued his association with running by becoming an USATF official.
Why Sweet Chose USF: “I earned an academic scholarship, only then learning of the initial year of cross-country at USF from Mike O'Toole, who then pushed for the return of track to the Hilltop in the spring of 1965. I was able to help start something special with USF. The first year in 1964, we competed in cross country against junior colleges, but participated at the top college level in the fall of 1965."
Favorite USF Memories: “I recall a challenging road trip when our Coach had reserved the team van to transport ten track athletes to a track meet at the University of Nevada. When we arrived at the athletic office on the Hilltop, we were told that the baseball coaches had taken the van to Fresno. Refusing to give up, we convinced the Athletic Director to buy us ten round-trip Greyhound bus tickets to Reno. When we arrived in Reno, we took a city bus to the campus where we had rooms. The Reno staff was kind enough to transport the runners back to the bus terminal for the very long ride home.”
The USF Student-Athlete Experience: "Being able to continue my track and cross-country after high school was a tremendous experience for me."
Did You Know?: Sweet was featured in a promotion picture on the front page of the News-Call Bulletin to promote the 1965 Bay-to-Breakers Race, as well as to get coverage for USF's return to track and field. Sweet and teammate Rich (Pete) League ran alongside a Cable Car for the photo.
Life After USF: Sweet enrolled in the US Army and was stationed in Germany, where he competed in the 800 meters and 400 meter hurdles in local meets in Stuttgart. Sweet has been a USATF official since 1999, represented Pacific Bell and AT&T in the Corporate Relays sponsored by a national publication. He taught high school math and coached track and field for many years in San Diego. Sweet continued to compete in road races and the Senior Games until he reached the age of 70.
