Karl Swanke grew up in Newington, CT. He graduated from Newington High School in 1976 where he played football and track and field.

Karl attended Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA and graduated with a B.A. in Physics in 1980. While at Boston College, he played football where he started for 33 games. He also competed in track and field for 4 years and was named most valuable performer his senior outdoor season. He still holds the indoor shot put record while winning the indoor New England track meet. Karl was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers in April of 1980.

While playing for 7 years in the NFL for the Packers, Karl was able to start at Left Tackle where he got the game ball from John Madden for play against Lawrence Taylor and caught at Touch Down pass on a tackle eligible play. He started 61games and played in 84 total games before his career came to an end in his 8th training camp. During his playing career Karl met the love of his life Maggie while visiting Boston College after his first year in the NFL. They would marry shortly before his 4th year in the NFL.

He then went on to work for most of his post playing career with IBM as a Project manager, where he received 7 US Patents. After trying to fill a void in his life through his own desires and thoughts. During the first part of his IBM career, with the help of his wife, he became a believer in Jesus Christ which changed his life. He was able to reflect on some of the great Christian influences in his life, namely Bart Starr his head coach in Green Bay to further his faith and see how true Christian faith is lived out. He found out that you could not be happy with fame and fortune but only through a relationship with Jesus could you find fulfillment.

After moving to Vermont in the mid 1990’s he became acquainted with Fellowship of Christian Athletes through the representatives at the time. He was able to speak at Huddles and events as well as lead a huddle for a time before joining the board in 2024. Karl has a passion for sports and the athletes who participate in them. He loves to work with athletes to see their full potential and use their God given talents for His glory.

Karl and Maggie have been married for 41 years and live with their oldest daughter Sarah in Colchester Vermont. They have two other grown children, Sam who lives in Manhattan and Hope who lives in Chicago. We both serve on FCA boards in the state and look forward to seeing athletes grown in their faith.

Swanke enjoys traveling with his wife and walking around the neighborhood and talking with people along the way, he also likes to golf and spend time with family and friends.