St. Louis University alumni Erwin Claggett was the first player signed by the Swarm as announced by team president Michael Mannion on February 16, 1999.

[13] During the IBL's territorial draft, the Swarm selected former University of Missouri basketball players Doug Smith and Derek Grimm.

[14] The team held a draft night party on July 19, 1999, which featured Swarm assistant coach Lee Winfield.

Swarm president Michael Mannion announced the team was considering a bevy of candidates including Jack Haley, Kurt Rambis, Kiki Vandeweghe, Brian Winters and Brad Greenberg.

[18] Swarm president Michael Mannion told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Bickerstaff was not on the list of candidates, saying, "Honestly, I didn't think someone like Bernie would be interested".

[19] In September 1999, the Swarm announced they had signed a contract with radio station KFNS-FM to broadcast live IBL games during the 1999–2000 season.

The Swarm on-air broadcasting team consisted of Dave Greene doing play-by-play and former Saint Louis University basketball assistant coach Jay Spoonhour as the color commentator.