Alan Ford (swimmer)
Encyclopedia
Alan Ford was an American
swimmer who was a silver medalist at the 1948 Summer Olympics
and was the first to swim the 100-yard freestyle in under 50 seconds.
from Midland, Michigan
. Ford attended Panama Canal Zone schools (BHS '41), Mercersburg Academy
(PA) and graduated from Yale University
with a BS degree in mechanical engineering in 1945. He also served as an Ensign in the United States Navy
during World War II.
During his prep and university swimming careers, Ford held numerous national and world records. While at Yale, he trained under swimming coach Robert J. H. Kiphuth
, an innovator who introduced dry-land exercises and interval training. Ford broke Johnny Weismuller's 17-year-old world record in the 100-yard freestyle. In 1944, Ford became the first person to swim 100 yards freestyle
in less than 50 seconds, swimming's equivalent of running a sub-four-minute mile in track. Ford became known as the human fish, an unofficial title he took over from Weissmuller. This performance was unequaled for eight years. During his senior year at Yale University
, he was the captain of Yale's swim team
.
In 1944, when Ford was in the prime of his swimming career, the 1944 Summer Olympics
were cancelled because of WWII. That year he won national college titles in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle and the 150-yard backstroke. He came out of retirement after the war and returned to New Haven to train with Kiphuth. He had lost as much as 25 pounds of muscle and hadn't been in a pool for three years. After six months of training, and quitting smoking during that time, he made the US Olympic Team and won a silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London
.
After his graduation from Yale, Ford went on to become a mechanical engineer. Ford designed and managed the construction of oil refineries, chemical, ore, and food processing plants as well as petroleum and chemical storage facilities in the US and abroad.
Ford was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
in 1966. At the ceremonies, when Ford was introduced, someone in the audience booed loudly. It turns out it was Johnny Weissmuller, and the crowd laughed when they realized who it was. Ford was never sure Weissmuller was joking.
His swimming talents can still be seen in the 1940s film, Blue Winners (watch).
Ford died at age 84 on November 3, 2008 in Sarasota, Florida
of emphysema
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
swimmer who was a silver medalist at the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
and was the first to swim the 100-yard freestyle in under 50 seconds.
Biography
Born in Panama City, Republic of Panama, he moved to Sarasota, FloridaSarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
from Midland, Michigan
Midland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
. Ford attended Panama Canal Zone schools (BHS '41), Mercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy
Mercersburg Academy is an independent, coeducational boarding school for grades 9-12 located in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, United States. The school's mission is:...
(PA) and graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
with a BS degree in mechanical engineering in 1945. He also served as an Ensign in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II.
During his prep and university swimming careers, Ford held numerous national and world records. While at Yale, he trained under swimming coach Robert J. H. Kiphuth
Robert J. H. Kiphuth
Robert John Herman Kiphuth was born in Tonawanda, New York and is best known for his 42-year career as head coach of the Yale University men's swim team, from 1917-1959...
, an innovator who introduced dry-land exercises and interval training. Ford broke Johnny Weismuller's 17-year-old world record in the 100-yard freestyle. In 1944, Ford became the first person to swim 100 yards freestyle
Freestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
in less than 50 seconds, swimming's equivalent of running a sub-four-minute mile in track. Ford became known as the human fish, an unofficial title he took over from Weissmuller. This performance was unequaled for eight years. During his senior year at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, he was the captain of Yale's swim team
Yale Swimming and Diving
Since its inception in 1898, the Yale Bulldogs swimming and diving program has produced numerous champion athletes. Many Yale swimmers have gone on to earn All-American honors and even break world records. The team has won 4 NCAA championships, 30 EISL championships, and several AAU championships....
.
In 1944, when Ford was in the prime of his swimming career, the 1944 Summer Olympics
1944 Summer Olympics
The anticipated 1944 Summer Olympics, which were to be officially known as the Games of the XIII Olympiad, were cancelled due to World War II...
were cancelled because of WWII. That year he won national college titles in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle and the 150-yard backstroke. He came out of retirement after the war and returned to New Haven to train with Kiphuth. He had lost as much as 25 pounds of muscle and hadn't been in a pool for three years. After six months of training, and quitting smoking during that time, he made the US Olympic Team and won a silver medal at the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
After his graduation from Yale, Ford went on to become a mechanical engineer. Ford designed and managed the construction of oil refineries, chemical, ore, and food processing plants as well as petroleum and chemical storage facilities in the US and abroad.
Ford was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
in 1966. At the ceremonies, when Ford was introduced, someone in the audience booed loudly. It turns out it was Johnny Weissmuller, and the crowd laughed when they realized who it was. Ford was never sure Weissmuller was joking.
His swimming talents can still be seen in the 1940s film, Blue Winners (watch).
Ford died at age 84 on November 3, 2008 in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
of emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
.
External links
- Alan Ford's profile at databaseOlympics
- Alan Ford at the International Swimming Hall of FameInternational Swimming Hall of FameThe International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...