Troy University Athletics
From Ottumwa to Troy: Trae Swartz Finds His Place
11/15/2025 6:24:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – When Trae Swartz packed up his life in Ottumwa, Iowa—a tight-knit town of 25,000 people—and ventured out for college, he had no clue that his path would leave him to Troy, Alabama. Fifteen hours south, the small college town would soon become his second home.
"I didn't even know Troy was a place until my buddy told a coach about me," Swartz said. "I just wanted an opportunity to play Division I ball. I wanted to get out of the cold, come down here, and play football."
For Swartz, a junior tight end for the Troy Trojans, the adjustment came naturally. He found in Troy something that felt surprisingly familiar.
"Definitely the community," he said. "It makes it like a family, like just everywhere you go around to, everyone knows you. It's nice to go around and have those connections. That small town connection is what I call it."
Before Troy, Swartz made a name for himself at Iowa Western Community College, one of the most successful junior college programs in the nation. He helped lead the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships during his three seasons there.
"It was a crazy experience," Swartz said. "Winning at that level taught me how to handle winning—how to keep pushing even when things are going well."
When the opportunity at Troy came along, Swartz didn't hesitate. He joined the Trojans two springs ago and quickly embraced the team's tight-knit locker room culture.
"We're just so unselfish," he said of the tight end group. "We love seeing each other succeed. Coach Reiner has made me so much better as a player, and I appreciate him so much. Whether you're playing or not, we're brothers. That's what makes this team special."
After helping lead Iowa Western to two national championships, Swartz knew what he wanted was to play at the next level. He simply wanted to take his talents to the Division I level and continue playing the game he loves.
"I just wanted an opportunity," Swartz said. "And, that's exactly what they gave me here."
For all his on-field success, Swartz remains grounded in what matters most—his family. Though they live 15 hours away, his mom and grandparents are able to make the trip for every game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"It's my mom and usually my grandma and grandpa," he said. "They come to every game. It's awesome seeing them after. I haven't been home in a while, so it means a lot."
Every game day, before the whistle blows, Swartz finds a moment for a quiet ritual.
"I go out, do my prayer, and then look up to where they're sitting," he said. "I give them a little wave before it's game time."
Now in his senior year and nearing the end of another season, Swartz is soaking in every moment.
"It's surreal," he admitted. "Everyone told me college would fly by, and they were right. I'm just trying to take it all in, one game at a time."
However, the Trojans have already clinched an extra game this season, becoming bowl eligible last week with a win over Louisiana. While Homecoming is bittersweet, Swartz can smile knowing they still have another game after the regular season is all said and done.
While Swartz hopes to add another championship memory to his growing list—but more than that, he hopes to be remembered for his character.
"I just want people to know me as a hard worker and a good teammate," he said. "Someone you can count on. Someone reliable."
From Ottumwa to Troy, from one small town to another, Swartz has found exactly what he was looking for: an opportunity.
"I didn't even know Troy was a place until my buddy told a coach about me," Swartz said. "I just wanted an opportunity to play Division I ball. I wanted to get out of the cold, come down here, and play football."
For Swartz, a junior tight end for the Troy Trojans, the adjustment came naturally. He found in Troy something that felt surprisingly familiar.
"Definitely the community," he said. "It makes it like a family, like just everywhere you go around to, everyone knows you. It's nice to go around and have those connections. That small town connection is what I call it."
Before Troy, Swartz made a name for himself at Iowa Western Community College, one of the most successful junior college programs in the nation. He helped lead the Reivers to back-to-back NJCAA National Championships during his three seasons there.
"It was a crazy experience," Swartz said. "Winning at that level taught me how to handle winning—how to keep pushing even when things are going well."
When the opportunity at Troy came along, Swartz didn't hesitate. He joined the Trojans two springs ago and quickly embraced the team's tight-knit locker room culture.
"We're just so unselfish," he said of the tight end group. "We love seeing each other succeed. Coach Reiner has made me so much better as a player, and I appreciate him so much. Whether you're playing or not, we're brothers. That's what makes this team special."
After helping lead Iowa Western to two national championships, Swartz knew what he wanted was to play at the next level. He simply wanted to take his talents to the Division I level and continue playing the game he loves.
"I just wanted an opportunity," Swartz said. "And, that's exactly what they gave me here."
For all his on-field success, Swartz remains grounded in what matters most—his family. Though they live 15 hours away, his mom and grandparents are able to make the trip for every game at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"It's my mom and usually my grandma and grandpa," he said. "They come to every game. It's awesome seeing them after. I haven't been home in a while, so it means a lot."
Every game day, before the whistle blows, Swartz finds a moment for a quiet ritual.
"I go out, do my prayer, and then look up to where they're sitting," he said. "I give them a little wave before it's game time."
Now in his senior year and nearing the end of another season, Swartz is soaking in every moment.
"It's surreal," he admitted. "Everyone told me college would fly by, and they were right. I'm just trying to take it all in, one game at a time."
However, the Trojans have already clinched an extra game this season, becoming bowl eligible last week with a win over Louisiana. While Homecoming is bittersweet, Swartz can smile knowing they still have another game after the regular season is all said and done.
While Swartz hopes to add another championship memory to his growing list—but more than that, he hopes to be remembered for his character.
"I just want people to know me as a hard worker and a good teammate," he said. "Someone you can count on. Someone reliable."
From Ottumwa to Troy, from one small town to another, Swartz has found exactly what he was looking for: an opportunity.
Players Mentioned
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