From Ball Boy to All-American: The Unbreakable Spirit of Tanner Schweitzer

Tanner Schweitzer has been a part of the University of Mary football family since 1987, when he first stepped onto the sidelines as an eight-year-old ball boy. Today, living in Bismarck, North Dakota, and working as a Health, Wellness, and Lifestyle Coach at RAW RECREATION ATHLETIC WELLNESS, Tanner’s story is one of resilience, triumph, and an enduring love for Marauders athletics.

The Setback and the Comeback

Tanner’s collegiate playing career began in the fall of 1997 as an inside linebacker, helping the team secure a conference championship in 1998 under Coach Dale Lennon. However, his journey hit a devastating roadblock when a severe car accident after his sophomore year left him with a fractured neck and back. Thinking his football days were over, Tanner spent three years away from the game.

Eventually, life awakened a fire within him to return to what he was good at. He called Coach Myron Schulz, promising he would do everything in his power to be the best player on the team. Coming back meant making a massive physical transition; he had to gain 30 pounds to switch to the defensive line, having not played the position since high school. Everyday practice was a battle against the Marauders' legendary 2001 offensive line, which included talents like Andy Nelson and Jamar Benton. The hard work paid off: he returned to help the 2001 squad achieve the first undefeated regular season in school history, and in 2002, he was voted Team Captain and the team's Most Valuable Defensive Player.

Legendary Memories on the Gridiron

Tanner’s highlight reel is packed with unforgettable moments:

• The Fake Extra Point (2001 vs. Dickinson State): In a back-and-forth overtime battle, the Marauders scored and kicked their extra point to go up by seven. Dickinson State responded with a touchdown and attempted a trick play on their point-after try to win the game. Tanner, playing nose guard, read the play perfectly and collided with the up-back right as the holder pitched the ball. The Marauders recovered the fumble, winning the game by a single point in front of a packed crowd at the Community Bowl.
• The Game-Saving Sack (2002 vs. Dickinson State): Down 21-0, the Marauders battled back to take a 30-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. With a minute left, Dickinson State drove to the 5-yard line, but instead of setting up for a straight-ahead field goal, they ran a sprint out. Tanner defeated his blocker, chased down the quarterback, and sacked him for a 15-yard loss, tumbling out of bounds right in front of Dickinson's coach, Hank Biesot. The resulting angled field goal hit the upright and missed, sealing a massive comeback victory.
• Playoff Dominance (2002 vs. Minot State): Avenging a regular-season loss, Tanner played what he considers his best game as a Marauder. He repeatedly pressured Minot's All-American quarterback, Kenny Smith, hitting his arm twice to force two interceptions and racking up multiple tackles for loss as they sent the Beavers home.

A Brotherhood and A Lasting Legacy

Football is nothing without the bonds formed in the trenches. Tanner fondly remembers a 2002 playoff game against Sioux Falls, where the defensive line completely shut down the nation's number one running back, Nick Cortan, holding him to just 1.5 yards per carry. After defensive tackle Bill Straley made back-to-back tackles for loss, nose tackle Demetrious Lott started singing Eminem's hit song playing on the radio at the time, hilariously replacing the word "Shady" with "Straley" to intimidate the opposing offensive line.

Tanner attributes much of his success to his coaches. He praises Dale Lennon for his demanding accountability and passion, and Myron Schulz for being a true "player's coach" who was a total student of the game and always willing to listen.

Beyond his football achievements—which include an ENGRAVERS EDGE Honorable Mention All-American nod, First Team DAC All-Conference honors, and being named the Bismarck quarterback college male athlete of the year (2002-2003)—Tanner also became an All-American heavyweight wrestler for the university at the 2004 NAIA national championships.

All Aboard the FAT Bus: The Heartbeat of University of Mary Tailgating

Game day at the University of Mary is about more than just the action on the gridiron—it’s about the community that gathers before the coin is even tossed. For the past decade, the undisputed epicenter of that pre-game energy has been the FAT Bus.

Standing for the Football Alumni Team, the FAT Bus is far more than a staple of the parking lot; it is a rolling monument to Marauder pride. Spearheaded by former All-American defensive lineman and team captain Tanner Schweitzer, the FAT Bus has spent the last 10 seasons transforming the standard college tailgate into a vibrant, family-driven celebration of Bismarck community and college football.

Building an Electric Atmosphere

When Tanner took the helm of the FAT Bus initiative, the mission was straightforward: create an unforgettable, high-energy environment for everyone who steps foot on the campus grounds. It operates as a welcoming hub where hardcore sports fans, families, current students, and alumni converge.

The tailgating experience built around the bus is a deliberate effort to enhance the game day experience for new players running out of the tunnel, coaches leading the charge, and fans packing the stands. By cultivating an "electric, family-type atmosphere," the FAT Bus ensures that the energy surrounding the stadium is palpable long before kickoff, fueled by genuine community support.

Today, as a proud father to Savannah and Rhett, he continues to lead the Marauder Football Alumni Team (FAT BUS) tailgates. Tanner remains deeply devoted to enhancing the experience for new players and fans, fueled by his love for the University of Mary, its Catholic ministry, and the great community of Bismarck.