Roy Saari (1995) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Roy Saari

Induction:
1995
Class:
1966

Roy Saari was one of the finest swimmers ever at USC. He won 9 NCAA individual championships and 17 AAU national titles. He also set 4 world records, including the first sub-17-minute 1500-meter freestyle (16:58.7). At the 1964 Olympics, he won a gold medal as part of the 800-meter freestyle relay and a silver in the 400-meter individual medley. The captain of the 1966 team, he lettered 3 years in swimming (1964-66) and the Trojans won the NCAA crown each year. He also was a 3-year letterman in water polo (1963, 1965-66), winning All-American honors each season. After his swimming career, Saari became an attorney. He died on Dec. 30, 2008, at age 63.