Albert L. Schwartz (December 21, 1907 – December 7, 1986) was an American attorney who practiced in California and a competition swimmer who represented the United States at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Schwartz received a bronze medal for his performance in the men's 100-meter freestyle, finishing third in a time of 58.8 seconds in the event final. His win came after the reign of actor Johnny Weissmuller as Olympic swimming freestyle sprinting champion, after Weissmuller accepted a Hollywood movie contract.[1][2]
Schwartz first became a national swimming champion at Marshall High School in Chicago.[3] Beginning his Northwestern University career in 1928, Schwartz was ranked as the nation's outstanding freestyle swimmer for his entire time in college.[2] Schwartz came very close to making the 1928 Olympic Swimming Team, but fell short. While attending Northwestern, he became the first swimmer to score a triple victory at the NCAA championships when he took three freestyle titles at the 1930 indoor meet. Playing for the Illinois AC, Schwartz was on six winning teams at the AAU water polo championships.[1] An exceptionally consistent performer, at one time he held all national swimming records from 550 to 220 yards.[4]
After graduating from Northwestern, Schwartz attended law school at the University of Chicago and later practiced law in California. He was a member of both the Illinois and California State Bars. He died on December 7, 1986, in Los Angeles and was survived by his wife Lois and two sisters.[3]
Honors
He was a member of the U.S. Olympians, the National Swimming Hall of Fame, and the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame as a 1981 inductee.[3] In 1984, he became one of 12 Charter Inductees into the Northwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame for the years 1928-30..[5]
