Francis Heydt
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Francis Elmer Heydt | |
|---|---|
 Francis Heydt, Univ. of Michigan swim team | |
| Born | August 15, 1918 Wellington, Kansas, United States |
| Died | November 25, 2008 (aged 90) Kansas City, Kansas, United States |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Clothing manufacturer |
| Known for | NCAA champion, 150-yard backstroke, 1941 NCAA champion, 300-yard medley relay champion, 1940, 1941 |
Francis Elmer Heydt (August 15, 1918[1] – November 25, 2008)[2] was a competitive swimmer who won three NCAA men's swimming championships, including the 150-yard backstroke event and two 300-yard medley relay championships as a member of the University of Michigan swimming team in 1940 and 1941.[3] He later operated a successful clothing and export business that manufactured camouflage clothing to governments in the United States, Israel, and Libya. He was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1988.
Heydt was born in Wellington, Kansas,[2] and graduated from North High School in Wichita in 1936.[4] In August 1935, Heydt set a new record at the Missouri Valley A.A.U. championship, swimming the 150-yard backstroke in 1:46.6.[5] He enrolled at the University of Iowa in the fall of 1936.
Championship swimmer
After swimming for Iowa in his sophomore year, Heydt transferred to the University of Michigan to work with legendary coach Matt Mann of the Michigan Wolverines swimming and diving team.[6] After transferring, Heydt became eligible to compete for Michigan in February 1940,[7] and won the Big Ten championship in the 150-yard backstroke in both 1940 and 1941. At the Big Ten Conference swim meet in early March 1941, Heydt set a new conference record for the 150-yard backstroke with a time of 1:41.6.[8][9] At the NCAA tournament later that month, Heydt shaved nearly four second off his time, swimming the 150-yard backstroke in a time of 1:37.7, winning the individual championship.[10] Two years later, another Michigan swimmer, Harry Holiday, broke Heydt's record, swimming the 150-yard backstroke with at time of 1:33.5.[10] Heydt also participated in Michigan's NCAA 300-yard medley relay championships in 1940 and 1941.[10] Heydt's performances also helped Michigan win the NCAA team championships in both 1940 and 1941.[10]
Honors
Heydt was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 1988.[11]