The Original Tackling Machine: Toby Schweitzer’s Lasting Impact on Marauder Football

Written by Marauder Football Alumni Association | Feb 9, 2026 4:23:02 PM

Before banners, playoff runs, and national rankings, the early days of University of Mary football were defined by toughness, grit, and a few foundational leaders who set the standard. At the center of that group was Toby Schweitzer.

A two-time All-American, three-time team captain, and the White team alumni captain, Schweitzer remains the Marauders all-time tackles leader with 410. He owns the top three single-season tackle totals in school history and was the first football player ever elected to the Marauders Hall of Fame.

Simply put: when you think of Marauder linebackers, you start with Toby.

Bismarck Roots, Big-Time Production

A Bismarck, North Dakota native, Toby is one of 10 children of Andrew and Marge Schweitzer. He graduated from St. Mary’s Central High School in 1985, then spent time at Dickinson State University and Moorhead State University before finding the right fit at the University of Mary.

When he arrived in Bismarck as a Marauder, UMary football was still brand new. Schweitzer quickly became one of the program’s first true stars.

Anchor of the First Three Varsity Teams

Toby started at inside linebacker on the first three Marauders varsity squads, and his production was incredible from day one:

  • 1988: 139 tackles
  • 1989: 131 tackles
  • 1990: 140 tackles – a single-season school record

He didn’t just rack up numbers—they translated into recognition:

  • 1989: Earned Honorable Mention All-American honors
  • 1990: Elevated to First Team All-American, becoming the first Marauders player ever to receive that level of national recognition

By the end of his career, Schweitzer held (and still holds):

  • Career tackles record: 410
  • Top three individual single-season tackle totals in UMary history

As a senior, he also had the rare opportunity to play next to his brother Trent at linebacker before a season-ending injury sidelined Trent. Another younger brother, Tanner, would later suit up for the Marauders as well, deepening the Schweitzer family imprint on the program.

Hall of Famer, Entrepreneur, and Coach

Off the field, Toby was just as focused and driven.

He graduated from the University of Mary in 1990 with a degree in Business Administration and moved into the world of business and entrepreneurship:

  • Owner of Outback Management Services
  • Involved in insurance, investments, and consulting

But despite his business responsibilities, Schweitzer never stepped far away from the game—or from his roots at St. Mary’s.

For more than 23 years, he has:

  • Coached football at St. Mary’s Central High School, helping shape generations of young athletes
  • Served as the Saints wrestling coach from 1990–2003

His influence on Bismarck-area athletics spans multiple decades and multiple sports, mirroring the versatility and leadership he displayed as a player.

Family and Legacy

Toby and his wife Cathy are raising four daughters:

  • Alexi – a freshman at the University of Mary, continuing the family’s connection to campus
  • Lindsey
  • Hallie
  • Sommer

In many ways, Schweitzer’s life reflects the full Marauder arc:

  • Faith and family rooted in the Bismarck community
  • Excellence and toughness on the field
  • Leadership and service as a coach, mentor, and business owner

Why Toby’s Story Still Matters

For current Marauder linebackers and alumni, Toby Schweitzer remains a living standard:

  • All-time tackles leader (410)
  • Top three single-season tackle totals
  • First football Hall of Famer
  • A leader from the very first varsity snap

He helped define what it means to play defense at UMary: physical, relentless, and all-in for your teammates. Decades later, every Marauder who straps on a helmet steps into a legacy that players like Toby helped build—one tackle at a time.