As a senior in 1983, he played at center and guard, and he won second-team All-American honors from The Sporting News. Sweeney graduated from Pittsburgh in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and administration of justice.
At the time, as a senior in 1983, he was an accomplished athlete, playing both center and guard and earning recognition as a second-team All-American from The Sporting News. Sweeney later earned a degree in sociology and justice administration from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984.