University of St. Thomas Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1992
Joe Sweeny graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BA in 1977, then with an MA in 1982. As a student, Sweeny was a captain and All-MIAC distance runner for the St. Thomas men's team. He later became a coach for the University's cross country team, coaching the Tommie women's cross country squad to five national championships. His 1981 team won the school's first national team crown in any sport. He was the 1995 National Coach of the Year in outdoor track and field. Sweeny coached two NCAA relay champions and 25 individual national champions. He also coached seven CoSIDA Academic All-Americans and four NCAA Postgraduate Scholars. He has 27 top-five national team placings in cross country and indoor/outdoor track. In his over 30 seasons, his teams have over 65 MIAC titles in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field.
