North Carolina State University Athletics
Fogarassy Shares Message with Swimming & Diving Program
4/23/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
BY BRANDON YOPP
RALEIGH, N.C. – “Whatever you do, be persistent.”
That was the message NC State swimming legend Peter Fogarassy shared with the Wolfpack swimming and diving program in a team meeting on Friday. A two-time ACC Athlete of the Year and 2005 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Fogarassy is well versed on the subject of persistence. And he sincerely believes that athletics paved the way for life he has enjoyed.
“I think I owe most everything that I have to athletics,” said Fogarassy.
Peter Ivan Fogarassy grew up a junior champion swimmer and member of the national water polo team in his native Hungary, but fled Budapest at the age of 17 in a dangerous effort to escape communism and experience freedom. His journey ultimately led to his arrival in the United States and an eventual encounter with former Wolfpack coach and athletics director Willis Casey. One handshake sealed his destiny and changed his life forever when he agreed to swim for NC State.
Fogarassy once shattered three American records in a single race, and he never lost a dual meet competition during his tenure in Raleigh from 1959-63. He also collected several USA National titles before establishing a successful business career with Levi Strauss and later becoming a marketing director for Redflex Traffic Systems.
On Friday he shared his incredible story with the Wolfpack program, guaranteeing that their hard work in life will pay off handsomely.
With his still-thick trademark Hungarian accent, Fogarassy entertained the Pack with stories of a bygone era in Wolfpack athletics. He recalled his friendship with two-time All-American Wolfpack quarterback Roman Gabriel and how nearly all the student-athletes during his time would come to cheer him on during his swim meets, first at Thompson Gymnasium and later at what is now known as Casey Natatorium.
Fogarassy also told of a time when he dared Wolfpack football legend Dick Christy to climb up the diving board at the natatorium, only to see Christy stupefied at exactly how we was supposed to get down. He eventually jumped into the pool.
“Dick was a great guy,” said Fogarassy. “He was an outlaw and I was a renegade. We had a great time together.”
Outside of the pool Fogarassy was a tireless worker, even selling game day programs at Wolfpack athletic events for pocket money. At the 1959 Dixie Classic at Reynolds Coliseum he pulled in a whopping $600, nice money by today’s standards and an incredible amount at that point in time.
Nearing the age of 71, his passion and pride for NC State remains as strong as ever. He attends as many swimming and diving meets as he can on an annual basis, and closely follows the program and its accomplishments.
“I love this program and I think Brooks Teal is a super coach,” said Fogarassy. “I swam for some of the best coaches in the world and I think [Coach Teal] does a great job.”
Fogarassy closed his speech on Friday by telling the swimming and diving team to stay persistent and never give up on their friends.
It goes without saying that NC State has a great friend in Peter Fogarassy.
RALEIGH, N.C. – “Whatever you do, be persistent.”
That was the message NC State swimming legend Peter Fogarassy shared with the Wolfpack swimming and diving program in a team meeting on Friday. A two-time ACC Athlete of the Year and 2005 North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Fogarassy is well versed on the subject of persistence. And he sincerely believes that athletics paved the way for life he has enjoyed.
“I think I owe most everything that I have to athletics,” said Fogarassy.
Peter Ivan Fogarassy grew up a junior champion swimmer and member of the national water polo team in his native Hungary, but fled Budapest at the age of 17 in a dangerous effort to escape communism and experience freedom. His journey ultimately led to his arrival in the United States and an eventual encounter with former Wolfpack coach and athletics director Willis Casey. One handshake sealed his destiny and changed his life forever when he agreed to swim for NC State.
Fogarassy once shattered three American records in a single race, and he never lost a dual meet competition during his tenure in Raleigh from 1959-63. He also collected several USA National titles before establishing a successful business career with Levi Strauss and later becoming a marketing director for Redflex Traffic Systems.
On Friday he shared his incredible story with the Wolfpack program, guaranteeing that their hard work in life will pay off handsomely.
With his still-thick trademark Hungarian accent, Fogarassy entertained the Pack with stories of a bygone era in Wolfpack athletics. He recalled his friendship with two-time All-American Wolfpack quarterback Roman Gabriel and how nearly all the student-athletes during his time would come to cheer him on during his swim meets, first at Thompson Gymnasium and later at what is now known as Casey Natatorium.
Fogarassy also told of a time when he dared Wolfpack football legend Dick Christy to climb up the diving board at the natatorium, only to see Christy stupefied at exactly how we was supposed to get down. He eventually jumped into the pool.
“Dick was a great guy,” said Fogarassy. “He was an outlaw and I was a renegade. We had a great time together.”
Outside of the pool Fogarassy was a tireless worker, even selling game day programs at Wolfpack athletic events for pocket money. At the 1959 Dixie Classic at Reynolds Coliseum he pulled in a whopping $600, nice money by today’s standards and an incredible amount at that point in time.
Nearing the age of 71, his passion and pride for NC State remains as strong as ever. He attends as many swimming and diving meets as he can on an annual basis, and closely follows the program and its accomplishments.
“I love this program and I think Brooks Teal is a super coach,” said Fogarassy. “I swam for some of the best coaches in the world and I think [Coach Teal] does a great job.”
Fogarassy closed his speech on Friday by telling the swimming and diving team to stay persistent and never give up on their friends.
It goes without saying that NC State has a great friend in Peter Fogarassy.
Braden Holloway Reflects on Olympic Experience
Monday, October 28
The Moore Swimming Siblings
Tuesday, January 24
H.C. Kennett Award - Coleman Stewart
Thursday, May 14
2020 Swimming & Diving, Postseason
Sunday, March 08