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SwimSwam Podcast: Trevor Freeland on Pride Movie, Swimming as a Black Man

On SwimSwam Podcast, we’re giving you an in-depth listen at all things swimming. Host Coleman Hodges welcomes guests and guest co-hosts alike to get perspective on our ever-changing swimming universe and break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with Trevor Freeland, the 2nd black man to ever win an ACC championship in swimming. Freeland was a member of the famed PDR Swim Team of Philadelphia coached by Jim Ellis in the 1980s that was immortalized in the Lionsgate film Pride. Freeland spoke candidly on his time at PDR and the adversity he faced being on the first-ever all-black swim team. However, Freeland emphasized that he focused on the positive interactions he had with people, and learned from a young age to brush off micro-aggressions from outsiders.

Freeland went on to swim for the University of Virginia under Mark Bernadino, where he saw success in and out of the pool. Not only did he win a conference championship with UVA, but earned his bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering. Freeland went on to earn his MBA from Duke and is now the Managing Director of Deutsche Bank.

Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Wahooswimfan
4 years ago

As a fellow UVA swim alum, proud to have Trevor as a representative of our school!

Dr Deluxe
4 years ago

The picture is classic…one more person in the group and it could be an ALL- ACC free relay with some speed. Olympic Gold Medalists
and NC State sprint greats Cullen Jones and David Fox represent the great relationship and mutual respect that Trevor’s Virginia Cavaliers and the Wolfpack have for each other ! Great interview during these difficult times.

ROQUE SANTOS
4 years ago

I MADE MY ENTIRE FAMILY WATCH! WORLD CLASS!

Breezeway
4 years ago

👍🏾 Great listen!

FREEBEE
4 years ago

Great interview! Mel you’re getting really good at your craft.

Nonrevhoofan
4 years ago

Trevor is a fine representative of PDR, UVA, Swimming, Wall Street, African-Americans and Humanity. I am proud to call him my friend. Well done, my man.

Reply to  Nonrevhoofan
4 years ago

…his swim knowledge is herculean. During NCAAs, Worlds, the Olympics, he blows my phone up with swimming data.

Reply to  Nonrevhoofan
4 years ago

…I’m re-watching the conversation now, wondering if this came through, but to know Trevor is to love that guy. My swim life expands every time I talk to him, which is often. And while swim is important in his life, foundational, it’s only one dimension. He’s got a lot going on.

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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