Buckeye Olympic Swimmer Passes Away – Ohio State Buckeyes
7/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swim & Dive
July 30, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State swimming great Richard F. Cleveland, a three-year (1952-54) starter under legendary coach Mike Peppe, passed away Saturday in his home state of Hawaii following his battle with cancer. A three-time All-American for the Buckeyes, Cleveland, 72, established numerous world and American records and tallied several Big Ten and NCAA titles in the freestyle events. An Olympian in 1952, Cleveland revolutionized the sport by becoming the first swimmer to utilize heavy weight training to improve his performances.
“Richard Cleveland was one of the giants of his time, Bob Bartels, OSU head swimming coach (1964-67) and Cleveland’s teammate in 1951, said. “Cleveland was a marvelous athlete and was immensely strong in the pool. In his time, he was the strongest physical athlete in the pool and had one of the finest techniques around. Many people thought a great deal of Cleveland and he will certainly be missed.
Cleveland’s distinguished career was honored on several occasions. He was selected to the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984 and to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1991. Cleveland also is a member of the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Considered by many as the “fastest human swimmer in the world during his years of competition, Cleveland established four world records (75 and 100-yard freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and the 400-meter relay) and 13 American records.
Cleveland began his collegiate dominance in 1952 when he won Big Ten and NCAA championships in the 50-yard freestyle as he and his teammates secured the eighth conference and seventh national team title in OSU history. After a down year in 1953, Cleveland stormed the scene with conference and national titles earned in the 50 and 100-yard freestyles and the team again capturing the top spot at both the Big Ten and NCAA meets.
Prior to his illustrious career in Columbus, Cleveland captured eight national titles in AAU competition and won gold medals at the 1951 Pan American Games in the 100-meter freestyle and as a member of two relay teams.
Richard F. Cleveland
Ohio State Swimming 1952-54
Ohio State Hall of Fame (1984)
International Swimming Hall of Fame (1991)
Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame
Three-time All-American (1952-54)
Three-time NCAA Champion (50-yard freestyle in 1952 and ’54 and 100-yard freestyle in 1954)
Three-time Big Ten Champion (50-yard freestyle in 1952 and ’54 and 100-yard freestyle in 1954)
Member of two NCAA team championships (1952 and ’54)
Member of two Big Ten team championships (1952 and ’54)
United States Olympic team member (1952)
Won three gold medals at the 1951 Pan American Games
Won eight national AAU championships
Established four world records (75 and 100-yard freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 400-meter relay)
Established 13 American records
First swimmer to utilize heavy weight training during off-season conditioning sessions
