Four Years Under Center: The Record-Setting Career of QB Chris Schwab

Before the Marauders moved into the NCAA era—and before passing records were rewritten by the next generation—Chris Schwab was the standard at quarterback for the University of Mary.

A four-year starter who led UMary to the NAIA semifinals, multiple conference titles, and three playoff appearances, Schwab helped define what Marauder Football could be in the late 1990s. For years, his name topped almost every passing category in the record book.

Bismarck Born, St. Mary’s Bred

Schwab’s story is rooted in Bismarck.

• One of three children of Denny and Renee Schwab
• Graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in 1996

At St. Mary’s, he:

• Quarterbacked the Saints to a state championship
• Also excelled on the basketball court

When he crossed the river to the University of Mary, he didn’t wait his turn—he took the reins.

Thrown Into the Fire: Starting as a Freshman

In 1996, Schwab stepped in as the starting quarterback as a true freshman, immediately becoming the face of the offense for a rising UMary program.

Over the next four seasons, he:

• Led the Marauders to three NAIA playoff appearances
• Posted three winning seasons
• Captured two North Dakota College Athletic Conference (NDCAC) titles
• Compiled a 30–15 career record as a starter

In an era when the program was still building its national identity, having stability and production at quarterback was crucial—and Schwab delivered.

1999: MVP Season and a Final Four Run

Schwab’s senior season in 1999 remains one of the high-water marks in Marauder Football history.

That year:

• He guided UMary to an 11–2 record
• Captured another NDCAC championship
• Led the team to the NAIA national semifinals, tying the 1995 team for the deepest run in program history

For his performance, Chris earned:

• NDCAC Most Valuable Player honors
• All-NDCAC recognition for the second time in his career

What makes his story even more unique is that he did it while playing under three different head coaches during his time at Mary:

• Tom Shea
• Dale Lennon
• Myron Schulz

Regardless of who held the whistle, Schwab remained the constant at quarterback.

Rewriting the Record Book

By the time he graduated, Schwab sat atop nearly every major passing category in UMary history:

• 7,786 passing yards – then a school record
• 73 touchdown passes – then a school record
• 607 completions – then a school record

Those marks stood until they were eventually surpassed by Craig Bagnell, but Schwab’s place in the program’s quarterback lineage is secure. He helped prove that Mary could win—and win big—through the air.

Life After Football: Chiropractic and Family

Schwab graduated from the University of Mary in 2000 with a degree in Business. After his playing days, he shifted his focus from reading defenses to helping people heal:

• Earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2008
• Opened and now operates Schwab Family Chiropractic in Bismarck

Just as he once led huddles, he now leads a practice dedicated to the health and well-being of his community.

At home, Chris and his wife Jami have three children:

• Natalie
• Bridget
• Luke

Hall of Famer and Hometown Leader

In recognition of his on-field achievements and lasting impact, Schwab was inducted into the Marauders Hall of Fame. For Bismarck and the UMary community, he represents a full-circle story:

• Local kid from St. Mary’s
• Four-year starter and record-setting quarterback
• Hall of Famer
• Business owner and community member giving back in the same city where he once lit up Saturday afternoons

For current Marauder quarterbacks and alumni, Chris Schwab’s career is a reminder that some of the program’s biggest legends never had to leave home to find a big stage—they helped build one right here.