Hall of Athletes
During his lifetime, Joseph Verdeur set 19 world records and 21 other records, repeatedly breaking his own USA and world records in the 200-yard and 200-meter breaststroke events. He participated in 1948 Olympics in London and won the 200-meter breaststroke with a new Olympic record time of 2:39.3.
Verdeur was named Swimmer of the Year by Sport Magazine in 1948 and 1949 and was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame. Legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice called him "the greatest swimmer of the first half century."
He won four NCAA Championships in the following events:
1947 NCAA Champion in 200 yard butterfly
1948 NCAA Champion in 200 yard butterfly
1949 NCAA Champion in 150 yard IM
1950 NCAA Champion in 150 yard IM
He was a four-time All-America in the 200-breast (1947-1950). He also earned the additional All-America honors below:
1947: Honorable Mention in the 220-free and 300-medley relay
1948: All-America in the 220-free and Honorable Mention in the 300-medley relay
1949: All-America in the 400-free relay and 220-free
1950: All-America in the 150 IM and 300-medley relay
