University of Michigan Hall of Honor
Matt Mann
- Induction:
- 1980
Born in Yorkshire, England, in 1884, Matt Mann spent much of his life associated with the sport of swimming on both sides of the Atlantic. At the age of nine, Mann won the boys' swimming championship of England. At 21, he came to Canada and then to the United States, settling in Buffalo where he set national "Y" records for the 100-yard and 220-yard freestyle. Mann moved to Massachusetts, then to New York City and finally to the Detroit Athletic Club in 1919. Here, he coached more than a dozen swimmers who went on to the Olympics. In 1925, he was brought to the University of Michigan as head swim coach and thus embarked on a 29-year legacy of national success. Among Mann's startling statistics are: 16 conference titles, 13 national crowns and a dual-meet record of 202-25-3. Under his tenure, Michigan turned out more Olympian swimmers than any other college or University in the United States. He was named the coach of the 1952 United States Olympic swimming team, which captured four of the six swimming gold medals awarded. Ironically, one event the U.S. team did not capture was the 200-meter breaststroke, won by U-M swimmer but Australian competitor John Davies. Mann was forced to retire due to University age rules in 1954 but went on to coach at Oklahoma, where he raised the program to the NCAA's top 10 during his tenure. He died in December 1962.
Volleyball Highlights vs. Oregon (Nov. 22)
Saturday, November 22
Ice Hockey Highlights vs. Ohio State (Nov. 22)
Saturday, November 22
Football Highlights at Maryland (Nov. 22)
Saturday, November 22
Women's Basketball Highlights vs. UConn (Nov. 21)
Friday, November 21
