Brian Roney has died. He would have turned 57 on Tuesday.
Roney qualified to swim on the 1980 U.S. Olympic team in the 400 free before the United States decided to boycott those games.
As an athlete, Roney trained for Woodland Hills, the Aquarius Swim Team, Class Aquatics, USC, Industry Hills, and Tucson Farmer John. While representing Industry hills, Roney swam a 3:56.10 at the U.S. Olympic Trials to place 3rd behind Mike Bruner and Brian Goodell. Those would be the last Olympic Games in which a country was able to enter 3 swimmers per event.
“Brian leaves a wonderful legacy of incredible races, friendship, team and family orientation, and above all, what it means to be a swimmer,” his former teammate Sharon Weiss said. “Brian fought adversity early in his career when he fought back against bone disease and reach a pinnacle that most can only dream of, a spot on the US Olympic Swimming Team.”
Roney suffered from Osteochondritis Dissecans as a child, making his recovery and qualification for the Olympics a story of resilience and redemption – and a painful reminder of what was taken away from so many athletes with the political decision to
I wondered how he did. I swam with Brian at El Camino, I was pretty average, and Brain and a few others were among the elites. I remembered how smooth he flowed through the water. He was awesome in the water. It is heartbreaking he missed his chance.
My condolences to Brian’s family and friends. Brian was my boss at Santa Barbara County Parks. He supported me in my career and helped start our junior lifeguard program which is up and running today with 200 Jgs. We did it Brian!
I was shocked to learn that Brian has passed away. We battled in the distance events over age-group and college years as cross-town rivals. I always respected him and liked him, even though he was a Trojan! I’m glad that we finally got to be teammates on the 1980 Olympic team in the same event and I’m so sorry that we didn’t get to experience the fulfillment of swimming in the Olympics together. I always thought of him as a friend. My condolences to his wife and children and the whole Trojan family.
Brian hired me at Lake Casitas. My heart hurts that he is not with us. Brian as the Manager at Casitas helped format the invasive species awareness, tag and boat inspection process. He helped and approved a fisheries management plan which at the time was 1 of 2 lakes in California to have a formal working document. Started a Snowbird program where people live at the lake, formatted several other programs such as Rowing Club and extensive interpretive programs. A lot was accomplished in the time we spent together. Brian… you are missed my friend. Love Ranger Rob
Thank you Rob for your kind words and sharing of Brian’s accomplishments. He loved his job at Lake Casitas and always had high praise for your work efforts and contributions to the facility.
Jenny. ECR ’78 I swam many many hour feeling “swamped” as “the whale” would pass me in the next lane. He gave me a slap on the back, with a big grin and said “get used to it, were in this together”. At 62yo swimmming 6 miles a week, I feel Brian’s fortitude keeping me going, for this last year as Im trying to beat diabetes with swimming, Im doing it with my friend Brian at my side. I think of him often as why I am writing now here 2024. A true Olympian.
Jenny, Heather and Spencer…your husband/father was so universally loved by all of our USC teammates I’m hard pressed to ever think of Brian in any other way than just warm, kind, fun and for me, like a big brother. I joined the USC swimming team in 1980 and had 2 solid years with Brian in what we affectionately called “Siberia”…the distance lane. Please note that I used the word “lane” as it was only one lane and it was very lonely over there. But there were 4 or 5 of us in that lane 4 hours a day…6 days a week and the bond that you have with your lane mates is very strong. Brian was such a leader in… Read more »
That should read ‘AFTER the United States decided to boycott’.
President Carter announced his decision to boycott the Moscow Olympics over my Christmas vacation (January 1980.) A long course Nationals were held at the end of April. But officially they delayed ‘olympic trials’ until the end of July while swimming was happening at the Moscow games.
Coach T is correct – not to take anything away from the 1980 Olympians – the boycott was confirmed long before any swimming Olympians were named…. and there were elite level individuals who refused to take part in that 1980 US Trials event. One was my college roommate Steve Gregg – silver medalist 200 fly in ’76 – they were so furious at the ridiculous political intrusion into our sporting lives that they had no interest in participating.
All that said I remember watching Brian swim and he was certainly an awesome competitor.
Peace
Dear. Jenny: Your former City of SC coworkers extend their condolences to you. We were shocked when we got the news. Sending you virtuals hugs
I am deeply saddened to hear this. I was one of Brian’s coaches in his early teens, and he stands out as the most determined swimmer I ever coached (Sharon may try to claim that title). He worked for everything he earned in his career and never complained about anything. Truly a role model for all of us, a phenomenal person.
I also was Brian’s coach from the time he was 8 until he was20. He was one of the most enjoyable(and best)swimmers I have ever had the privilege of working with. After 40 years of coaching that says slot. I wouldn’t not go so far to say he never complained because we were always striking deals..” If I do this time on the next swim can I get outearly”…”If I break the American record on the broken swim can I miss morning workout?” When Brian was determined he was unstoppable. He was a dedicated athlete and loyal,enthusiastic team member…and a wonderful friend. Miss you.