Greggmar Swift

Less than a month after being reinstated to the position after an external investigation into his conduct, Greggmar Swift has resigned as head coach of Minot State University’s track and field team.

Steven Schultz will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the outdoor season.

The investigation into Swift began as a result of the external investigation into the MSU athletic department while Kevin Forde was serving as athletic director. Forde resigned on Jan. 13, 2024. When Meredith L. Vukelic, the outside investigator hired by MSU, issued her report, she identified potential misconduct that hadn’t been investigated.

As a result, on Jan. 19, 2024, MSU President Steve Shirley asked Christopher S. Pieske, the chief compliance officer for the North Dakota University System, to conduct an investigation into allegations against Swift including inappropriate touching, commenting on athlete’s bodies, and wagering on an athlete’s sexual conduct.

According to the report of Pieske’s investigation, dated Feb. 14, 2024 and obtained by The Minot Daily News, “Mr. Swift has violated the MSU and SBHE’s [State Board of Higher Education] Code of Conduct by making an inappropriate comment about a student’s weight and by making a bet regarding the sexual conduct” of another student, identified in the report as Student 3.

Pieske concluded his report by writing that “in addition, the preponderance of the evidence establishes that Mr. Swift has breached his employment contract by failing to devote his full effort to duties as Head Track & Field Coach during meets.”

The most serious allegation in the report alleges that a University of Mary student told Student 3 that Swift “made a bet with him that if he did not have sex with Student 3, he would owe Mr. Swift $50.” According to the report, Student 3 provided corroborating text messages with the University of Mary student, and also reported the incident to a graduate assistant and assistant coach within the program, as well as the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

Pieske wrote in the report that Student 3’s description of the conduct, “remained consistent throughout each of the retellings,” and that this led him to determine Student 3 was a credible witness.

The investigation report revealed that Swift was given a written education document, dated Oct. 9, 2023 stating, ” Correction action required: Had conversation with coach to make sure relationship between coach and student-athlete are clear and that he understands boundaries.” The document, in Swift’s personal file, stated that if he failed to improve his performance or correct his behavior, he would be placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The written education document was signed by both Swift and then-athletic director Kevin Forde.

Pieske’s investigation found Swift’s personal file contained neither a PIP plan nor any other disciplinary documents.

The report states that a coach, administrator and team member reported hearing Swift “comment on athletes’ bodies in a negative way, criticizing them for being overweight.”

According to the report, Swift has consistently denied the allegations outlined throughout the document, and he was reinstated by the university on Feb. 12.

Swift is the second former coach this year to have resigned not long after being reinstated by the university.

Alex Lehocky stepped down as head coach of the women’s volleyball program on Jan. 31, 2024, following an investigation into allegations of misconduct towards student-athletes in the program. Lehocky was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 13, 2023 and reinstated in January of this year.