Clarence "Buster" Crabbe (1994) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Clarence "Buster" Crabbe

Induction:
1994

USC’s first All-American swimmer (1931), Clarence “Buster” Crabbe won an NCAA title in the 440-yard freestyle in 1931 and a gold medal in the 400-meter free at the 1932 Olympics. He also won an AAU individual indoor swimming title in 1932 and the Pacific Coast Conference individual swim titles in 1931 in the 220-yard freestyle and the 440-yard freestyle. Also a varsity letter winner in water polo (1930-31), he graduated from USC in 1932. Crabbe was a bronze medalist in the 1,500 free in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Following the 1928 Olympics, he broke 16 American and world records, won 35 national championships, and broke all the records over 200 meters set by immortal Johnny Weismuller. Crabbe then went on the star in Hollywood movies and was noted for playing such memorable roles as Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. He died on April 23, 1983, at age 75.