Marquette University Athletics
Trey Schwab to join UW Hospital and Clinics
8/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
?It was an extremely difficult decision for me to leave Marquette, especially so because of all of the support that everyone here has given me and my family these past four years. Marquette is truly a special place and I can never thank everyone here enough for all that they have done,? said Schwab. ?Basketball has been the only job that I have ever had, and it is very hard to leave something that you love.?
During his five years at Marquette, Schwab has been recognized for his work and commitment to organ donor awareness throughout the United States. Diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable lung disease, in the fall of 2001, Schwab underwent life-saving, double-lung transplant surgery on February 17, 2004.
?Knowing Trey Schwab long before he ever became part of our program, I?ve always realized how special a person he is,? said Crean. ?Building relationships and helping people is a big part of who he is and this opportunity gives him a chance to do just that.?
Schwab has served as a national spokesperson for National Donor Day since 2003 and has coordinated numerous donor awareness projects both locally and nationally. In 2003, he was a co-recipient of the 2003 Dr. James S. Wolf Courage Award and in 2004 he received United States Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Award.
?Although leaving is hard, I realize that there is an opportunity to hopefully do a lot of good in raising awareness about organ and tissue donation,? said Schwab. ?I am really looking forward to working with the great team at the UW Hospital and Clinics as we try to make sure that everyone who is in need of a transplant has the same opportunity that I have had.?
As special assistant for the program since 2001, Schwab was responsible for the coordination of Marquette?s video efforts, team travel and on-campus recruiting.
?It means a great deal to us that he is going to be able to help others through a cause he is obviously so passionate about,? said Crean. ?Words can?t describe what Trey Schwab means to this program.?
In conjunction with Schwab?s departure, Crean announced the following appointments to his basketball administrative staff.
Todd Townsend, a four-year letter winner from 2001-05 for the Golden Eagles, has been named director of basketball operations. Townsend played in 114 career games for the Golden Eagles and averaged 4.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists. A May 2005 graduate of the university?s College of Communication, Townsend averaged 5.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and started all 33 games during MU?s run to the Final Four in 2003.
?Todd is ready for the opportunity to help this basketball program from the sideline in the same manner he did as a player,? said Crean. ?He was a leader on the floor, made his teammates better, understood our philosophy, and as a result graduated with 91 wins. I believe he is ready to make the next step in what will be a very promising coaching career.?
Additionally, Derek Deprey, previously a member of the Milwaukee Bucks video department, has been named coordinator of video and operations, and Barbara Kellaher, coordinator of operations since 2002, has been promoted to special assistant to the head coach.
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