Don Schollander is an American athlete who was the first swimmer to win four gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1946, he truly was the golden boy of sport.
Forty-four years ago, Don Schollander was the hero of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was everywhere in the news with the picture of four Olympics gold medals draped around his neck.
But as a kid, Don was a lousy swimmer; he was a pretty good athlete but couldn’t swim very well. However, by age 12, he improved so much that his family sent Don to California for better training opportunities.
Just at the age of 16, he was a multiple-time national champion and on a pace to become a legendary swimmer. He won numerous U.S. national titles and set several U.S. and world records during his career.
After retirement, Schollander provides an excellent profile of his early life and his Olympic victories in Duke Savage (1971), written by Duke Savage.
If you want to know what Don Schollander is doing now? Where is he? What was his career like, and about his awards and achievements? Read this article till the end.
Don Schollander: Quick Facts
But before we proceed with our article, let us glance at quick facts.
| Full Name | Donald Arthur Schollander |
| Common Name | Don Schollander |
| Birth Date | April 30, 1946 |
| Birth Place | Charlotte, North California, USA |
| Religion | Christian |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Father’s Name | Wendell Leslie Schollander |
| Mother’s Name | Martha Perry Schollander |
| Brother | Wendell Leslie Jr. |
| High School |
|
| University | Yale University |
| Swim Club |
|
| Coach (Club) | George Haines |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Age | 78 Years Old |
| Height | 180 cm |
| Weight | 79 kg |
| Build | Athletic |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
| Profession | Professional Swimmer |
| Strokes | Freestyle |
| First Olympic Games | Tokyo, 1964 |
| Club | Santa Clara Swim Team |
| Retirement | 1968 |
| Olympic Medals | 5 Gold and 1 Silver |
| Olympic Games | Two |
| Coach | George Haines |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Cheryl Schollander |
| Children | Jeb, Kyle, and Katie |
| Residence | Lake Oswego, Oregon |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| Social Media | None |
| Merch | Autobiography Deep Water, Inside Swimming |
| Last Update | November, 2024 |
Don Schollander: Early Life
Schollander, a native of Charlotte, North California, was the son of Wendell Leslie Schollander and Martha Perry Schollander.
Wendell was a former all-state high school football player and an insurance company executive. Martha was an outstanding swimmer who had been a swimming stunt double in several movies.
She was also seen in various Tarzan movies, substituting Jane, who starred Olympic gold medalist Johny Weissmuller.
His brother, Wendell Leslie Jr., was an all-state football player in high school who later switched to the wrestling team at the University of Pennsylvania.
Don moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon, a suburb of Portland, with his family when he was pretty young.
Don’s first choice was football since his father had been a standout tailback at North Dakota State University, and his brother had also excelled in football in high school.
But Don felt as if he was not as big as the other boys into football; thus, he chose swimming. He thought if he put all his energy into swimming, he might be more successful.
Don Schollander: Age, Height, and Weight
Don turned 78 years old this year. He celebrates his birthday on April 30. Thus, his zodiac sign is Tauras.
Schollander stands 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) tall and weighs 79 kg (174lbs).
In his early days, Don was lean and had an athletic body.
College and Swimming
As a child, Schollander learned the basics of swimming at Portland’s Aero Club. He set a national record in his age group for swimming the backstroke by ten.
When Don went to Oregon High School, his father suggested him again to try swimming. Don proved his brilliancy in swimming by competing against high school seniors when he was just a freshman.
During his first year in high school, Schollander competed at the Oregon state finals for two events and won both events. Then, in his senior year, Don beat all his opponents in every event.
Don’s impeccable talent was on display in his early teens as he guided Lake Oswego High School to the Oregon state champion as a freshman.
After seeing Don processing rapidly as a swimmer in the local high school, his parents decided to leave Oswego and move to Santa Clara, California, for more opportunities.
In Santa Clara, Schollander joined Santa Clara Swim Club, where George Haines coached him. There he turned into the most excellent swimmer ever of his time.
Alongside Swim Club, Schollander attended Santa Clara High School and graduated in June 1964.
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Don Schollander: Professional Career
1964 Olympic
When training Dan for the 1964 Olympic Trials, George Haines expressed confidence that he could win any freestyle event for which he is trained.
Although the swimmer was solid in the middle distances, George feared that it would be foolhardy to prepare Don for both the 100-meter sprint and the 1500-meter race at the same time.
Thus, he focused Schollander’s training on the 100-meter event, for which he felt Don had a perfect stroke. In addition, the coach felt confident Don’s good stroking would pay off in any upcoming challenges.
George’s strategy paid off at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Schollander brought four gold to the home.
Don Schollander in 1964 Tokyo Games:
Schollander won both the 100-meter freestyle, setting a new record and the 400-meter freestyle, establishing a new world record.
In addition to his win in individual events, Don won gold for USA 100-meter relay teams and 200-meter freestyle races.
Yale University and 1968 Mexico Olympics
After Tokyo Olympics, Schollander got the scholarship and enrolled at Yale University.
At Yale, Don became a member of fraternity brothers with future U.S. President George W. Bush and continued his swimming career.
In the Mexico City 1968 Games, he earned silver in the 200-meter freestyle, gold in the 100-meter freestyle relay, and 100-meter medley relay. He also won gold in the 200-meter freestyle relay.
He was 18 years old during Tokyo Olympics, and he knew he would have another chance. But in Mexico Games, he was 22 years old and thought he was done. This made Schollander more nervous at the 1968 Olympics, even though he had more experience.
Awards and Achievements
As the swimmer ever to win four medals in a single Olympics, Schollander was widely honored back in the USA.
After all of the gold landed to 18-year-old Don Schollander in 1964, he was on the cover of Life Magazine. Also, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) awarded him James E. Sullivan Memorial Award for 1964.
This award is awarded annually to the athlete who has shown great sportsmanship in the year by their outstanding performances despite being an amateur.
In 1965 Don was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer. He was also titled ABC’s Wide World of Sports Athlete of The Year.
Schollander’s gold medals are currently on display to the public at a Bank of America branch located in downtown Lake Oswego, Oregon.
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Forgotten Star
Don Schollander gained much worldwide recognition and place in sports history from his time of greatness.
He seemed to be an idol as everyone’s idea of championship swimmer and was even tagged with the nickname “The Golden Angel.”
But Schollander didn’t make much money. After a brief period, most swimming athletes would retire, and swimming was not much exposed.
Like today during those times, male swimmer career would end past the age of 22, and female swimmer career past the age of 18.
Schollander’s greatness was quickly dismissed. But, unfortunately, his excellence was delivered before the period where endorsement deals were available to top athletes were also not yet familiar.
Life After Retirement
Don Schollander remained involved in swimming and the Olympics after his competitive days were over after the 1968 Mexico Games.
He became an advocate for athletes and pushed them for more athletic representations on Olympic laws. He was also the board of directors of the U.S. Olympic Committee for four years.
Schollander attended several Olympic venues worldwide for business purposes for the next four years. He was accompanied by legendary University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman.
After graduating from Yale, he worked for a year in New York, then a year in San Francisco. After that, he was back home in Oregon and started his real estate business.
Don still occasionally swims with the local Master’s team but never competes. He still has fond memories from the past and considers the American flag at the closing ceremonies in 1964 and winning the first Olympic medal as his favorite memories.
Don Schollander: Wife and Children
Don lives with his wife Cheryl and children Jeb, Kyle, and Katie in New Oregon. His wife, Cheryl, is a long-retired nurse for disabled children and now is a homemaker.
Don’s eldest son Jeb who is 34, helps with the family real estate business. Another son Kyle who is 25 years old, goes to Western Oregon University.
Kyle plays defensive end for the football team in the University. The youngest daughter, 21 years old, is in high school and enjoys playing tennis.
Dan Schollander: Net Worth
The exact net worth Schollander has earned till now is unknown yet. But with success like Don’s in the current time, he would have been on the list of wealthiest athletes for sure.
Since the era when he was at the top of the game was not better for swimmers to earn many fortunes, Don’s gold medals alone had so much value and worth.
After retiring from competitive swimming, Schollander wrote two books and ran his own real estate development company.
Thus, Schollander lives a quiet, peaceful, and comfortable life with his family in New Oregon.
Don Schollander: Social Media Presence
Don, who turned 78 this year, is currently enjoying quiet life away from any exposure and limelight.
Schollander is not active on any social media platforms. And it is suitable for him as he is spending quality time with his wife and children.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Deep Water book of Don Schollander about?
In the book, Deep Water Schollander has retold about his swimming career. This book also shows the corrupt side of the AAU, now the USA Swimming Association.
He has shed light on the behind-the-scenes story of the NCAA, the AAU, and the IOC, as well as the political mess during the Olympic Games.
Don Schollander still ranks as the Very Best Swimmer in the World for me.
Forget all these newbies – Don is the Best!
Deep Water was the book that inspired me to keep swimming! I held three league records for seven years, and gave my last performance at LaSalle College (the best and fastest pool I ever swam in) in Philadelphia – posting my best times ever.
I thought of Don Schollander in every race.