Retired Garland Police Lieutenant Dave Swavey recently received the Garland Sports Hall of Fame Homer B. Johnson Legacy Award. The award is well-deserved as Swavey, with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, has changed the lives of countless young people.
Swavey said that he never thought he would be considered for this award because he didn’t grow up in Garland.
“But this has been my home for decades, and the blessings that have come to this gym inspire me to do more,” he added.
The retired police lieutenant started the Garland Police Boxing Gym program for kids ages kindergarten to high school almost 30 years ago when he was a part of the GPD’s Gang Unit. The program helps provide purpose, healthy competition and a sense of belonging for the kids.
Swavey started the boxing gym with a short and simple set of rules. Don’t break the law, misbehave or disrespect others and grades must be at a passing level.
During a past interview, he told The Garland Texan a few stories about former boxing program participants who have come back to the gym as adults to let him know about the positive impact he had on their lives. One young man told him that the boxing program had saved his life. Others have returned to let him know that they are living good lives with their families because of what they learned at the gym. Some have returned to the gym as
volunteers to pay it forward.
Kids in the program have simultaneously graduated with high school, as well as community college degrees, and others have received full college scholarships. They attribute their success to the boxing program.
Swavey’s dedication to the Garland community and its young people is amazing.
In an interview after his retirement from GPD a few years ago, he said, “What I’ll miss most is being out in the community working with people and getting to know them. You’ll never find another person who didn’t grow up in Garland that loves this city as much as I do.”
He proves that love and dedication day in and day out. Children from all walks of life participate in the boxing program, and Swavey has said that they learn important life lessons because of that. Some of the kids’ families have money, and some are under-privileged. Some have good home lives, and others are without parents.
Additionally, this program is not only about teaching the kids a sport. They learn that self-discipline is the key to success in all their pursuits.
A sincere thank you to Dave Swavey for his past – and future – dedication to the Garland community and its youth.
The gym is located at 101 South Ninth Street in Garland.