Bruce Harlan
Encyclopedia
Bruce Harlan was a diver
from the United States
and Olympic champion. He represented his native country at the 1948 Summer Olympics
in London
, where he received one gold medal and one silver medal.
Harlan was a high school wrestler
and pole vaulter
in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
, and served in the United States Navy
during World War II
. Harlan coached diving at the University of Michigan from 1954 to 1959. On June 21, 1959 he took part in a diving exhibition in Fairfield
, Connecticut
. While helping to dismantle the scaffolding of the diving tower, Harlan fell 27 feet to his death.
Harlan was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
in 1973.
In 1961 the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) honored Bruce Harlan when they created an award in his honor. The award is given annually to a diving coach who demonstrates continued leadership, contributions, and service to Michigan High School Diving.
Diving
Diving is the sport of jumping or falling into water from a platform or springboard, sometimes while performing acrobatics. Diving is an internationally-recognized sport that is part of the Olympic Games. In addition, unstructured and non-competitive diving is a recreational pastime.Diving is one...
from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Olympic champion. He represented his native country at the 1948 Summer Olympics
1948 Summer Olympics
The 1948 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in London, England, United Kingdom. After a 12-year hiatus because of World War II, these were the first Summer Olympics since the 1936 Games in Berlin...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, where he received one gold medal and one silver medal.
Harlan was a high school wrestler
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
and pole vaulter
Pole vault
Pole vaulting is a track and field event in which a person uses a long, flexible pole as an aid to leap over a bar. Pole jumping competitions were known to the ancient Greeks, as well as the Cretans and Celts...
in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne, Pennsylvania
Lansdowne is a borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States located southwest of downtown Philadelphia. It was named for the Marquess of Lansdowne. The borough grew quickly in the early part of the twentieth century when a railroad stop was established near the intersection of...
, and served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Harlan coached diving at the University of Michigan from 1954 to 1959. On June 21, 1959 he took part in a diving exhibition in Fairfield
Fairfield, Connecticut
Fairfield is a town located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is bordered by the towns of Bridgeport, Trumbull, Easton, Redding and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. As of the 2010 census, the town had a population of 59,404...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. While helping to dismantle the scaffolding of the diving tower, Harlan fell 27 feet to his death.
Harlan was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...
in 1973.
In 1961 the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (MISCA) honored Bruce Harlan when they created an award in his honor. The award is given annually to a diving coach who demonstrates continued leadership, contributions, and service to Michigan High School Diving.