Passages: Steve Gregg, 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist, 68
Steve Gregg, a silver medalist at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, died on Sept. 11. He was 68 years old.
Gregg won silver in the men’s 200 butterfly at the 1976 Olympics, his time of 1:59.54 under the existing world record of East Germany’s Roger Pyttel but behind the record set on the day by fellow American Mike Bruner. Bill Forrester made it a sweep of the podium for the Americans as part of a historically dominant delegation in Montreal.
Gregg also won silver medals in his signature event at the 1973 and 1978 World Championships and at the 1975 Pan American Games. All were behind fellow Americans – respectively, Robin Backhaus, Bruner and Greg Jagenburg.
Gregg was born and raised in Delaware, a graduate of Tatnall School. He swam collegiately at NC State, where he was a 4-time All-American and a four-time ACC champion in the 200 fly, the first athlete to pull that feat.
Gregg earned a master’s degree at the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in exercise and biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, with a career in global marketing and communications that took him all over the world. He’s a member state halls of fame in Delaware, North Carolina and Arizona as well as the NC State Hall of Fame, as its first swimmer to be inducted. He was part of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics, was involved with Swim Across America and was on the board of directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Gregg is survived by his wife, Jennifer Garr, two siblings and two nieces. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the NC State Swimming and Diving program.
RIP My Friend