Pat McDonald (1984) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Pat McDonald

Induction:
1984
Class:
1968

1964-67
Swimming
‘68
This Akron native parlayed an early interest in swimming to becoming one of the best in the aquatic sport at UA. Pat McDonald became the first Zip merman to be inducted into UA’s Hall of Fame. McDonald’s expertise was developed as an AAU swimmer. In 1958 he captured the National AAU 200-yard breaststroke and was ranked in the top-10 nationally for six years. After earning All-Ohio honors at Hoban High School, Pat moved on the University where he swam for Tom Conway and Andy Maluke and lettered four years (1964-67). As a sophomore, Pat edged out teammate Ed Steinmetz in becoming the school’s first All-American swimmer. A year later he earned All-American honors again. McDonald truly was a versatile and talented swimmer. At various times throughout his four-year career, he held eight school records, including his specialty, the 200-yard backstroke and the 500- and 1,000-yard freestyle. Along with Steinmetz, McDonald earned the team’s most valuable swimmer award his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. In addition, he paced the Zips in scoring as a senior and was runner- up in 1964 and ’65. McDonald, who resides in Akron, taught and coached in the Akron Public School System. Twelve of those years he coached swimming, including six years at Akron Firestone High where he accumulated a record of 115 wins and only 22 losses.