WAVE is thrilled to announce the appointment of Robert (Bobby) Hackett, Team USA Olympic swimmer and Olympic Silver Medalist, to our advisory board.
Born in Yonkers, New York, Bob is a swimming legend. His specialty? Distance freestyle. At just 16 years old, he represented Team USA at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Canada, where he won a Silver Medal in the men's 1,500 meter freestyle breaking the world record along with his teammate Brian Goodell for a 1-2 finish for the Americans 🇺🇸
In an interview with the New York Times, he said, "I remember watching the 1972 Olympics on television as a 12-year-old and never dreaming I would be there four years later".
The 1980 Olympic boycott put a damper on his swim career, and he decided to retire from swimming after graduating from Harvard University in 1981. Boston suited him, so he then went on to graduate from Harvard Business School 5 years later.
In addition to his Olympic success, Bob is 1975 Pan American Games champion in the 1,500 meter freestyle and 1978 World Championships in the 4x200 freestyle relay. He set World Records in the 800 meter freestyle in 1976, and as a member of the 4x200 freestyle relay in 1978.
Today, Bob remains on the swimming leaderboard. He continues to hold one of the oldest records in the National Age Groups official ranking of US Swimmers under age 19. He's held it for 43 years and counting!
A dozen years ago Bob re-engaged in swimming by dedicating his free time to coaching. Back in his home state of New York, Bob volunteered with a local Boys & Girls Club in Mount Kisco, NY as a volunteer assistant swim coach. More recently, Bob joined the Swimming and Diving coaching staff for the Emory University Eagles, a top-performing NCAA Div III Team.
WAVE is honored to welcome Bob onboard. With his genuine passion for swimming and expansive knowledge of the industry, Bob can help us bring WAVE into pools, lakes and oceans all over the world, making us one step closer to ending the leading cause of death in children under 4-years old.
Drowning has a new enemy, and his name is Bob Hackett!