USC has set the groundbreaking ceremony on its $16 million overhaul to the McDonald’s Swim Stadium for Friday, November 2nd at 11 A.M. The stadium is being renamed after Fred Uytengsu as the Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
Utengsu graduated from USC in 1983 and was a Captain of the swim team during his time with the Trojans. At the behest of him (and specifically his $8 million donation), the actual pool will be donned with the name of Peter Daland: the USC coach for an astounding 45 years from 1958 until 1992, and one of the most revered coaches in American swimming history.
The overhaul to the pool originally built for the 1984 Olympics will make it nearly unrecognizable (afterall, $16 million is a significant price tag for an outdoor pool brand new). The upgrades will include improving conditions both for the swimmers, divers, and water polo players who use the facility daily, as well as the overall student body. Specifically, USC is adding recreational features like a sun deck in hopes of making the pool more inviting.
Among others who will attend is John Naber, a 5-time Olympic medalist in 1976 and a former USC Trojan. A full list of confirmed participants in the event is below:
John Naber, USC Olympic Swimming Great
C. L. Max Nikias, USC President
Pat Haden, USC Athletic Director
Fred Uytengsu, USC Swimming Captain, 1983
Peter Daland, USC Swimming Coach 1958-92
Madeline Rosenthal, Women’s Water Polo Student-Athlete
To read more about the renovations, click here.
Gonna miss that homemade timing/announcer stand!! Kidding of course!! This is already such a great place for our athletes to race. Now it will be just as great for the teams/spectators to cheer from. Such a great investment!!