I wish I’d stumbled upon this list from the International Swimming Hall of Fame earlier! I could have been all sweet and relevant and had a new entry for most of the days of Black History Month. But, alas, I didn’t. Here we are at the last day of the month, and I’m only on #6. That won’t stop me, though. I’ll keep talking about our history into March. Then I’ll look for more history into April, and so on. . . We can’t be contained in one month!

Tonight I bring you Fred Evans. His distinction as ‘first’ is as the first black swimmer to win a national collegiate championship. From his LinkedIn page, I give you his swimming achievements in a nutshell:

Mr. Evans was the NAIA National Champion in Swimming thus being recognized as the First African American National Collegiate Champion. He was also a three time NCAA Division II National Champion in the 100 yard Breaststroke and National Record Holder from 1975, 76, 77 and also held the record in 1978. Mr. Evans continued his career as an influential Swim Coach throughout the Chicago area for more than 25 years.

Mr. Evans has been an Advisor to the United States Swimming Organization and the Swimming Hall of Fame’s African American Outreach Swim Program and has been a Consultant to the University of Chicago, University of Michigan and Howard University.

In 1983 Mr. Evans was honored by the International Swimming Hall of Fame and has been honored with Resolutions from the State of Illinois, Washington, D.C. He was inducted into the Washington DC Hall of Fame for his achievements in swimming and the community.

Fred Evans furthers the idea that swimming success equips you for greatness. I look forward to our next ‘first!’