A 1990 graduate of Washington High School, Mike Swartzentruber distinguished himself as an athlete, playing baseball, basketball, tennis and football. He began his playing career on the Oakland City University baseball team under the direction of head coach Phil Glover, while also playing under John Hayes during his time as a Mighty Oak. He quickly proved his worth, moving into the top pitcher spot as a sophomore, while also playing as the starting shortstop when not on the mound.



“Oakland City showed the most interest in me during my senior season,” stated Swartzentruber. “I wanted to make a college choice before graduation, and I chose Oakland City because it was close enough that my parents could attend my games. I loved my time as a Mighty Oak. I wouldn’t trade my time there for anything.”



Fellow OCU Hall of Famer T-Ray Fletcher, who was the catcher during Swartzentruber’s career, said, “He kept good command of all his pitches and located well. He wasn’t overpowering, but he could pitch. He also was a solid shortstop and hit in a lot of spots in our lineup as a singles and doubles hitter. He was one of our better hitters his last two years and was and is a great guy.” During his final two years at OCU, he also ran cross country.



Following graduation, Swartzentruber began a teaching and coaching career that has brought him continued success on the diamond. He spent 13 years at North Posey High School, serving as the junior varsity baseball coach his first season. As the varsity head coach, his team reached the 2A State Finals in 2000. The 2005 and 2006 seasons saw his NPHS team win back to back state championships. He was named Southwestern Indiana Coach of the Year in all three seasons, as well as Indiana All-Star Coach in 2005, and 2A Indiana State Coach of the Year honors in 2005 and 2006.



In 2008, Swartzentruber moved to Martinsville High School where he was the head baseball coach for seven years, before moving to Lake Central High School in northwestern Indiana to teach business along with his baseball coaching duties, leading his team to sectional championships in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as conference titles in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The 2024 season saw LCHS win the 4A state championship, the second state title in school history, outlasting Mooresville in a 12-inning marathon, 2-1, scoring the winning run with two outs on a bases loaded walk. It was the longest championship game in IHSAA history. “Coach Swartz” was named the North West Indiana Times Coach of the Year, as well as the 4A Indiana State Coach of the Year, while being nominated as the state of Indiana’s nominee for both the Sectional and National NFHS Coach of the Year.

So far at LCHS, Swartzentruber’s teams have a record of 170-50, including a conference record of 80-18. His best record came in 2023 with a mark of 27-5 including an undefeated DAC record of 14-0.

The only coach in Indiana history to lead two different high schools to a state title, Swartzentruber was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2025.

Swartzentruber married his wife Misty in 2000. They have two children, a son, Griffen, and a daughter, Ryan, and live in northwestern Indiana.