Swaders Sports Park

Glenn and Tammy

There is nothing quite like a free T-shirt, especially if they are hurled into the stands after a rim-shaking Larry Sanders’ dunk.   If you’ve been lucky enough to catch one of these flying treasures, you have Glenn and Tammy Swader to thank.  The Swader’s have been part of the VCU family for several years now and are often seen cheering on the Rams from their Section 6 seats.  It’s hard not to catch them smiling as they watch kids’ faces light up at the thought of winning one of their coveted birthday party package.  Glenn and Tammy own and operate the 31-acre Swaders Sports Park located in neighboring Prince George, Va.  VCU Athletics recently caught up with Glenn to get his thoughts on the Ram Athletic Fund:

VCU Athletics: So, what is Swaders Sports Park?

Swader: It opened in April 2006, with a new indoor expansion that opened August 2008. We have two go-kart tracks, 36 holes of miniature golf, a nine position batting cage, and one of the Top 100 rated driving ranges in America. Indoors, we have a two-story Lasertag arena, an arcade with about 80 games in it, four arcade style bowling lanes, a KidZone (jungle gym) that can hold 100 kids at a time, three birthday party rooms, a banquet area and executive conference center upstairs. It’s very much a family business, with my wife Tammy and my brothers, Ken and Greg, working on the management team. Our Corporate and Group Sales Manager, JoAnna Korkos, is a VCU alumnus, and we have employed several VCU students throughout the years.

VCU Athletics: Why do you donate to the Ram Athletic Fund?

Swader: It is a natural extension of our marketing efforts. As a family entertainment center with sports related activities, it fits nicely into our overall theme. I didn’t attend college myself, and had been exposed to the VCU Rams through several lifelong friends. I caught the fever about three years ago, and have been participating more and more ever since. It’s great to see the kids get excited when the announcer says it’s time to give away the Swaders Sports Park Birthday Package. And being the sponsor of the “Dunk T-Shirts” this year is really special. The positive feedback and the exposure we get in such a terrific venue is extremely worthwhile.

VCU Athletics: What is your favorite VCU Athletics memory?

Swader: There isn’t one particular memory, it’s a collection of the whole experience over the last several years. From watching Coach Grant and how he handled himself as a leader, to enjoying the antics of Eric Maynor and seeing him go on to the Utah Jazz, seeing the development of players like Larry Sanders and Joey Rodriguez, and having been here as Coach Smart takes his place in the VCU experience. All of that comes together as some of my favorites memories. On a more personal level, I really enjoy the camaraderie with Gene & Peggy [Rosen] and some of the other people that I have met and come to know as a Battering Ram. And perhaps most importantly, as a father with an autistic son, it affords me the opportunity to share some very important personal time with Jarrett. Even being able to listen to the post game show on the radio on the way home after the game is great. We can remember some of the plays in the game and talk about them and it’s almost as if everything is OK just at that moment.

VCU Athletics: Who is your favorite VCU basketball player?

Swader: I can’t pick just one player. They all bring something special to the experience. Larry Sanders is great to watch! Joey Rodriguez is exciting too. Then Ed Nixon and [Bradford] Burgess and TJ Gwynn come in and everything goes crazy. It was really something to see [Terrance]Saintill get back on the court last week. There isn’t a favorite player, it’s the whole team and their “Havoc” style of play. The fans, the excitement and the energy level in the Siegel Center are awesome! Being a lifelong Duke fan it’s great to see VCU’s level of student enthusiasm. I knew I finally bled Black & Gold when I was  pulling for VCU to beat Duke in the NCAA tournament two years ago.

VCU Athletics: Why should others donate to the Ram Athletic Fund?

Swader: VCU in general, and the athletic fund in particular, seem to be focused on giving back to the community in creative ways. They have a wonderful sense of “corporate responsibility” and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that is good for the entire region. In most organizations the top level staff set the tone. Norwood Teague and his staff make it very easy to decide to donate. It is very fulfilling to be a part of that family.