Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Athletics Mourns the Loss of Dr. Howard Sweeney
3/31/2021 11:02:00 AM | General
Northwestern University Department of Athletics and Recreation mourns the loss of Dr. Howard Sweeney, who passed away this week at the age of 94. Dr. Sweeney was a beloved member of the Northwestern community who began his work with the department in 1964 as an orthopedic surgeon, before serving as the head team physician from 1984 until he retired from the post in June of 2002. He was inducted into the Northwestern Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Although his official tenure working with Wildcat athletics ran for 38 years, Sweeney was affiliated with Northwestern for more than 60 years, beginning with his enrollment in the University's pre-medicine program in 1943.
Besides helping thousands of Northwestern student-athletes return to the playing fields and courts following injury, Sweeney spent his entire life helping others. One of his most significant contributions to the medical field and society was the starting of the Global Arthroscopy Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation which brings fellows from other countries to Chicago, where Dr. Sweeney and others helped provide instruction on arthroscopic surgery.
In addition to the caring of student-athletes, Dr. Sweeney made a profound impact on Northwestern's sports medicine staff and its many interns and student athletic trainers. In 2004, Northwestern's sports medicine department began recognizing two undergraduate students with the Howard Sweeney Award of Excellence, which went to two aides who demonstrated excellence in skill proficiency, professionalism and dedication during their undergraduate days.
RELATED LINKS:
Dr. Howard Sweeney's Obituary
Dr. Howard Sweeney Honored on Retirement from Northwestern Athletics
Although his official tenure working with Wildcat athletics ran for 38 years, Sweeney was affiliated with Northwestern for more than 60 years, beginning with his enrollment in the University's pre-medicine program in 1943.
Besides helping thousands of Northwestern student-athletes return to the playing fields and courts following injury, Sweeney spent his entire life helping others. One of his most significant contributions to the medical field and society was the starting of the Global Arthroscopy Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation which brings fellows from other countries to Chicago, where Dr. Sweeney and others helped provide instruction on arthroscopic surgery.
In addition to the caring of student-athletes, Dr. Sweeney made a profound impact on Northwestern's sports medicine staff and its many interns and student athletic trainers. In 2004, Northwestern's sports medicine department began recognizing two undergraduate students with the Howard Sweeney Award of Excellence, which went to two aides who demonstrated excellence in skill proficiency, professionalism and dedication during their undergraduate days.
RELATED LINKS:
Dr. Howard Sweeney's Obituary
Dr. Howard Sweeney Honored on Retirement from Northwestern Athletics
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