Jon Svendsen

Jon Howard Svendsen (born October 26, 1953, in Berkeley, California) is an American water polo player and swimmer. He was a member of the 1980 US Olympic Team, and earned a Silver Medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics.

A standout for the U.C. Berkeley Bears on three consecutive NCAA title winning water polo teams between 1973 and ‘75, Svendsen was named the Collegiate Player of the Year, Pac-10 Player of the Year and NCAA Tournament MVP in 1975.

He was a three-time All-American in 1973, ‘74 and ‘75, leading Cal State Men's Water Polo to a combined 72-9 record during that span. Svendsen was a regular on the U.S. National Team for a decade, was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team, played at the 1975 and 1983 Pan American Games, and earned a Silver Medal at the 1984 Olympics. Svendsen, renowned for his 98 mph backhand, played in numerous other international water polo tournaments.

He is a two-time All-American in swimming (1973 and ‘75).

In 1989, Jon Svendsen was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame and the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame.