Dave Gillanders

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn David "Dave"•Gillanders
Used nameDave•Gillanders
Born18 May 1939 in Schenectady, New York (USA)
Measurements181 cm / 70 kg
AffiliationsDetroit Athletic Club, Detroit (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Dave Gillanders attended the University of Michigan, where he won NCAA titles in 1959 and 1961 in the 100 and 200 fly. In 1959, he swam on Michigan’s 400 medley relay champions and helped them win the team title as well in both 1959 and 1961. Later in 1959, Gillanders won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in the 200 m butterfly, defeating Mike Troy, but at Rome in 1960, Troy turned the tables to win the gold medal, with Gillanders taking bronze. Gillanders later returned to Michigan and earned a Ph.D. in engineering in 1972. He eventually became a professor of electrical engineering at Texas A&I University and Arkansas State University. He has continued swimming in Masters Meets into his 70s, setting a Masters’ world record in the 100 m fly in 1986 for the 45-49 age group. In 2004, Gillanders was inducted into the University of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1960 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) USA Dave Gillanders
200 metres Butterfly, Men (Olympic) 3 Bronze
4 × 100 metres Medley Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 1

Special Notes