Chuck Bittick (2005) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Chuck Bittick

Induction:
2005
Class:
1961

Chuck Bittick is regarded as one of USC’s best 2-sport aquatic athletes, highly decorated in both swimming and water polo. A 3-time (1959-61) All-American in swimming, he won 4 NCAA individual titles (the 100- and 200-yard backstroke both in 1960 and in American record times in 1961) and helped the Trojans win the 1960 NCAA championship (he captained the 1961 squad which placed second). He also won 6 AAU individual crowns and 5 Pacific Coast Conference titles. He was the silver medalist in the 100 back at the 1959 and 1963 Pan Am Games. He set a world record in the 200-meter backstroke in 1960 (in his career, he set 30 American marks in the back and individual medley). In water polo, he won All-Conference honors 3 times (1959-61). He participated with the United States team in the 1960 Olympics (the U.S. placed seventh) and the 1963 Pan Am Games. A 3-time (1959-61) AAU All-American in water polo, he was the MVP in 1960. He was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame, Long Beach City College Hall of Champions and the Aquatic Capital of America Hall of Fame. He came to USC from Long Beach City College, where he was a J.C. All-American. He was in the U.S. Navy in the mid-1960s, then was a business owner. He died on April 29, 2005, at age 65.