Charles Silvia, Art Linkletter, Ed Steitz, and William Yorzyk at Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremony (1971)
Description:
This photograph shows (from left to right) previous swimming coach Charles Silvia, Art Linkletter, Ed Steitz, and Bill Yorzyk , an inductee into the Swimming Hall of Fame at the Swimming Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 1971. Charles “Red” Eaton Silvia (January 3, 1911—June 16, 1998), earned his BS (1934) and MPE (1940) from Springfield College and began working there in 1937. As one of the nation’s outstanding swim coaches, he coached more than two-hundred Springfield College athletes to All-American status, including SC Alumnus William A. Yorzyk. In 1956, he also served as Assistant Coach of the United States Olympic Swimming Team. Silvia also coached Dr. Davis Hart to his record-breaking English Channel swim from England to France in 1972. He has been honored as NCAA District I Coach of the Year (1970), was named to the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame (1973), and served as the chairman of the board of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Art Linkletter was the famed entertainer best known for his TV series "House Party" that ran on CBS from 1952 to 1969. Art Linkletter believed so much in creating a new swimming and diving facility that he sold his house for $250,000 and donated the money to the project. There was also a closed circuit television system to further analyze swimming skills. On the day of the dedication, October 21, 1967, the former Swimming coach, Charles E. “Red” Silvia and Linkletter raced each other in the new pool. The Art Linkletter Natatorium is still in use today as the main swimming and diving facility on campus, having been incorporated into the new Wellness and Recreation Complex that opened in 2008. After graduating from Springfield College in 1954, Bill Yorzyk went on to become a graduate assistant in the physical education department at Springfield. Yorzyk went on to compete in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and was the first Olympic champion in the 200 meter dolphin-butterfly stroke. In his career he set a total of 11 World Records and won the U.S. National Outdoor butterfly title 4 times from 1955 through 1958. For biographical information on Edward S. Steitz, see: https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/110.
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
