Southwest Baptist University Athletics

Tripp Swisher enters his 3rd season (2024-25) as the head coach of the SBU softball team. In just his first two seasons, he doubled the teams' conference win total each year. Last season he recruited SBU's first ever GLVC Freshman of the Year Award in Angie Micone. Off the field, he has had the opportunity to baptize four of his student-athletes, which happened in Spring of 2023. 

"Really the greatest joy has been just seeing some lives changed off the field. Being able to see som girls get serious about their faith. Make some life changing decisions has been truly the greatest joy."

Coach Swisher took over the team in the Fall of 2022, with his first season being Spring of 2023. In just his first season, he increased the teams win total and doubled the GLVC win total. During the first season, Swisher led the team to their first conference road sweep since 2018.
 
The following year, coach Swisher continued to add improvement to the SBU softball program increasing the team's total wins by eight. On top of that, he put the team into GLVC tournament contention winning eight games in conference play. This included two series sweeps one against newest GLVC member Upper Iowa and one against Quincy University. 

Coach Swisher joined the Bearcats after being the Assistant Coach at Shawnee State University. Before that he was the Head coach at for Midway University from 2015 to 2021. He has eight total years at D-2 and NAIA levels. Swisher has coached 18 All-Conference selections, 5 All-Region selections and 1 All-American players. Five consecutive NAIA Team Academic Awards and 27 Conference Scholar-Athletes.
 

Swisher resides in Bolivar with his wife Kathie.