Flashback
60 years ago
UB dives into swimming with Clark pool
When the pool in Clark Memorial Gymnasium on the South Campus opened 60 years ago this month, it marked the beginning of intercollegiate swimming at UB. Although Clark was dedicated in 1938, the construction of a pool was delayed due to lack of funds. When completed, the 35-x-75-foot pool was hailed as the “largest and most modern in Buffalo and one of the best in the country.”
While the pool was being constructed, the first UB men’s swimming team, nicknamed “Water Bulls” by the “Buffalonian,” was training. UB had hired Bill Sanford (pictured in center), former Amherst High School swimming star, decorated World War II veteran and recent UB graduate, to form the team. Sanford and team manager Bob Henderson struck at deal with the Humboldt YMCA. UB’s fledgling team could practice in the Y’s pool in return for Sanford agreeing to coach the Y team for free.
Known as the “Legend of Clark Pool,” Sanford coached swimming and tennis at UB for 31 years. He also coached the Buffalo Police Department’s underwater recovery squad and invented a device that assisted in the scoring of diving events, as well as a new surface for diving boards.
Intercollegiate swimming moved to the North Campus in 1985 when the second phase of Alumni Arena was completed. Accolades for the new pool in the Alumni Arena Natatorium were reminiscent of those for the Clark pool 36 years earlier.
—John Edens, University Archives
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