Michigan in the Olympics
1976 - Montreal
U of M Law School student Phil Boggs kept the Wolverine diving tradition going by taking the three meter event for the U.S. in Montreal. Freshman Phil Hubbard won the second Michigan gold medal in basketball, while a future UM women's basketball coach competed for the U.S. in women's basketball, a new Olympic sport. Trish Roberts, a relatively unheralded post-player from Emporia State, who didn't start, averaged more playing time than any other player in helping the U.S. to a silver medal behind a powerful Soviet team. After the Olympics, Roberts starred for the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. Roberts was UM women's basketball coach from 1992-1996.
Phil Hubbard, Phil Boggs, Coach Trish Roberts
Swimmers Gordon Downie and Alan McClatchey each earned a bronze medal for Great Britain in the 800 meter freestyle relay. Future Wolverines Fernando Canales of Puerto Rico and Kevin Williamson of Ireland, competed in the freestyle events. Canales swam the 100, 200 and 400 meter events as well as the 400 and 800 meter freestyle relays. Williamson raced in the 400 and 1500 meters. Neither advanced out of the qualifying round. John Daly, varsity letter winner 1975-1977, also swam for Puerto Rico; competing in the 100 and 200 butterfly and joining Canales on the 400 meter relay team.
Gordon Downie, Alan McClatchey, Kevin Williamson
Fernando Canales, John Daly
The U-M Results - 1976
| Phil Boggs | ||
| 3 m. diving | 1st | |
| Phil Hubbard | ||
| basketball | 1st | |
| Trish Roberts | ||
| basketball | 2nd | |
| Gordon Downie (Great Britain) | ||
| 800 m. freestyle relay | 3rd (7:32.11) | |
| 200 m. freestyle | 7th | |
| Alan McClatchey (Great Britain) | ||
| 800 m. freestyle relay | 3rd (7:32.11) | |
| 200 m. freestyle | 25th overall, 4th in prelim heat (1:55.84) | |
| 400 m. freestyle | 1th overall, 3rd in prelim heat (4:02.09) | |
| 400 ind. medley | 12th overall, 3rd in prelim heat (4:34.31) | |
| Kevin Williamson (Ireland) | ||
| 400 meters | 5th in heat | |
| 1500 m. freestyle | 5th in heat | |
| Fernando Canales (Puerto Rico) | ||
| 100 m. freestyle | 6th in heat | |
| 200 m. freestyle | 6th in heat | |
| 400 m. freestyle | 6th in heat | |
| 800 m. freestyle relay | 6th in heat | |
| John Daly (Puerto Rico) | ||
| 100 m. butterfly | 7th in heat | |
| 200 m. butterfly | 5th in heat | |
| 400 m. freestyle relay | 6th in heat | |
InnsBruck -- Winter Games
Lindsy McLean, head trainer for the U-M football and basketball teams served as a trainer for the U.S. Olympic team.
Photo Credits:
- Phil Boggs, from Official Report of the Games of the XXI Olympiad, Montreal, 1976, p. 498
- Phil Hubbard, Ath. Dept., Box 26, BHL
- Trish Roberts, Ath. Dept., Box 46, BHL
- Gordon Downie, Ath. Dept., Box 43, 1977, BHL
- Alan McClatchey, Ath. Dept., Box 43, 1976, BHL
- Kevin Williamson, Ath. Dept., Box 43, 1979-1980, BHL