By John Millea

Don Swanson, who is one of the most well-known names in Minneapolis high school sports history, passed away today after a battle with cancer. Services have not been announced. Swanson had surgery in early August to remove cancer in and around the prostate and bladder.

Swanson served as a teacher and football coach in Minneapolis Public Schools for more than 30 years, with the vast majority of his career spent at Patrick Henry. A graduate of South High, Swanson went on to earn his bachelor's degree from the Gustavus Adolphus College and his masters from the University of Minnesota.

He began his coaching and teaching career at Minneapolis Central High in the mid-1950s, and then went to Patrick Henry in 1957. He spent three years as an assistant football coach, and became the Patriots' head coach in 1960. He remained in that role until 1980, when he became the schools' full-time athletic director. The football/soccer field at Henry was renamed Don Swanson Field in 2007.

During his years at Patrick Henry, Swanson taught biology, science and physical education. He also served as head wrestling coach for 15 years, assistant track coach for five years and directed intramural sports during his entire tenure at Patrick Henry. Swanson retired in 1985.

His retirement, rather than marking the end of more than 30 years of service to the district, became merely a transition for Swanson. For the more than 20 years following his retirement, Swanson continued his active participation with MPS athletics throughout the '80s, '90s and into this century.

During his years in coaching and among his many titles, awards and recognitions, Swanson has earned notoriety as president of the Minneapolis Coaches Association, president of the Minnesota State Football Coaches Association, District 17 Football Coach of the Year and Region 5 Football Coach of the Year. In 1985, he was enshrined in the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He also has been named to the Minnesota High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, Minnesota State Minor League Football Association Hall of Fame, and he is a charter member of the Patrick Henry High School Hall of Fame.

John Millea is on Twitter at twitter.com/stribjohn