United States Merchant Marine Academy

Bruce Schwager is a 1955 graduate of the U.S. Merchant MarineAcademy where he was a four-year letter winner for the Marinersfootball team and a three-year letter winner and track & fieldand wrestling.  Schwager was best noted for his abilities onthe football field where he started three of his four seasons atfullback and both offensive and defensive lineman positions. In 1954, he was honored as the NCAA Lineman of the Week after theMariners November 6 contest against Rochester University.  Atthe conclusion of the 1954 season, he earned All-Long Islandhonors.  Schwager also wrestled as a heavyweight for threeyears (two as a starter), in addition to throwing shot put forthree years with the track & field team, while also excellingin numerous extracurricular activities. 

After graduation, Schwager became the first player in Academyhistory to be drafted by a National Football League team, whenselected by the Chicago Cardinals in 1955.  He was undercontract with the Cardinals from 1955-59, and later signed with theNew York Times of the American Football League for the 1960season.  He also played for the Norfolk Tars while on activeduty with the U.S. Navy from 1956-58.