Havlik Excited for Hall of Fame Induction
September 12, 2017 11:07 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving
To say John Havlik set the tone for the West Virginia University men's swimming and diving team during his time in Morgantown would be an understatement.
The three-time NCAA Championships qualifier and WVU's first-ever U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials qualifier had no shortage of accomplishments during his collegiate career from 1977-80. Havlik was a four-year letterwinner and three-time team MVP for the Mountaineers, and he co-captained WVU's first undefeated, untied men's swimming team in 1980.
He also helped West Virginia to 31 wins in the pool, was chosen to participate in the 1979 Olympic Development Swimming Camp and won the 1979-80 WVU Athletic Council Award – which honors a WVU senior athlete for athletic performance, sportsmanship, dedication and academic achievement.
All of those accolades contributed mightily to Havlik becoming just the fourth men's swimmer to be named to the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame.
Havlik and the rest of the Class of 2017 will be inducted on Saturday, Sept. 16, before the WVU football game against Delaware State and honored during the contest.
"I've been thinking about it for a long time," Havlik said. "I want to take it all in. I don't want to be so spun up that it goes by too fast. I want to enjoy it. I'm very honored and humbled. When I look at the bios of some other people in my class, I think, 'Man, I don't know if I rate up with those guys.' But it's an honor and I'm glad to be selected."
Havlik's impact went well beyond the WVU Natatorium. After becoming an eight-time school record holder at the time of his graduation, the two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Championship's Most Outstanding Swimmer served a year as an assistant coach at WVU before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1982.
The Glen Burnie, Maryland, native started out as an assistant coach for the U.S. Naval Academy's swimming team and physical education instructor before moving on to other endeavors within the Navy. In 2014, he retired after earning the rank of captain and serving for 31 years, many of them in the SEALs – the Navy's most elite special operations force.
At the start, Havlik wasn't certain he'd end up making a career in the military. But after more than three decades in the service, he feels his professional life has been rewarding.
"I didn't think I'd make it a career until about a year into the Academy," Havlik explained. "When I told the Academy I wanted to go and try to be a SEAL but want to become an officer first, they were very helpful. I just figured I would just see how it goes and if it's fun and I like it, then I'll get a career out of it. It just seemed to all work out."
Havlik, who was a six-time Eastern Intercollegiate swimming champion, as well as a four-time AAU Indoor and Outdoor National Swimming Championship qualifier, is excited to make his return to WVU to relive a weekend full of memories.
The current Mountaineer swimming and diving team is certainly pleased he'll be back home, too.
"WVU swimming and diving is honored to have one of our best ever be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame," current West Virginia coach Vic Riggs said. "John is joining an elite group of Mountaineers, which is well-deserved. We are extremely proud of all he has done to represent not only our program but our country."
Havlik says many of his fondest memories of his days at WVU occurred as a senior during that special 1979-80 season. The Mountaineers defeated rival Pitt at home in front of a packed house, which was just part of what became one of the best seasons in program history.
Now settled in the Tampa, Florida, area, Havlik likes to remain busy in retirement. Along with returning back to Morgantown at least once a year, he often teams up with another WVU swimming and diving great, former diver Bill Treasurer, in delivering motivational speeches to small groups and companies.
He's also involved in coaching and personal training.
"I like to put myself into the semi-retired status," Havlik said. "I try to keep myself busy."
Induction ceremonies for WVU Sports Hall of Fame will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. The public is invited to attend and the event is free of charge.
Along with Havlik, the Class of 2017 includes Chrissie Abbott (women's soccer), Eddie Becker (men's basketball), Willie Drewrey (football), Charles Hickman (baseball), Dan Mozes (football), Kevin Pittsnogle (men's basketball) and John Spiker (administration/athletic training).
The three-time NCAA Championships qualifier and WVU's first-ever U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials qualifier had no shortage of accomplishments during his collegiate career from 1977-80. Havlik was a four-year letterwinner and three-time team MVP for the Mountaineers, and he co-captained WVU's first undefeated, untied men's swimming team in 1980.
He also helped West Virginia to 31 wins in the pool, was chosen to participate in the 1979 Olympic Development Swimming Camp and won the 1979-80 WVU Athletic Council Award – which honors a WVU senior athlete for athletic performance, sportsmanship, dedication and academic achievement.
All of those accolades contributed mightily to Havlik becoming just the fourth men's swimmer to be named to the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame.
Havlik and the rest of the Class of 2017 will be inducted on Saturday, Sept. 16, before the WVU football game against Delaware State and honored during the contest.
"I've been thinking about it for a long time," Havlik said. "I want to take it all in. I don't want to be so spun up that it goes by too fast. I want to enjoy it. I'm very honored and humbled. When I look at the bios of some other people in my class, I think, 'Man, I don't know if I rate up with those guys.' But it's an honor and I'm glad to be selected."
Havlik's impact went well beyond the WVU Natatorium. After becoming an eight-time school record holder at the time of his graduation, the two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Championship's Most Outstanding Swimmer served a year as an assistant coach at WVU before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1982.
The Glen Burnie, Maryland, native started out as an assistant coach for the U.S. Naval Academy's swimming team and physical education instructor before moving on to other endeavors within the Navy. In 2014, he retired after earning the rank of captain and serving for 31 years, many of them in the SEALs – the Navy's most elite special operations force.
At the start, Havlik wasn't certain he'd end up making a career in the military. But after more than three decades in the service, he feels his professional life has been rewarding.
"I didn't think I'd make it a career until about a year into the Academy," Havlik explained. "When I told the Academy I wanted to go and try to be a SEAL but want to become an officer first, they were very helpful. I just figured I would just see how it goes and if it's fun and I like it, then I'll get a career out of it. It just seemed to all work out."
Havlik, who was a six-time Eastern Intercollegiate swimming champion, as well as a four-time AAU Indoor and Outdoor National Swimming Championship qualifier, is excited to make his return to WVU to relive a weekend full of memories.
The current Mountaineer swimming and diving team is certainly pleased he'll be back home, too.
"WVU swimming and diving is honored to have one of our best ever be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame," current West Virginia coach Vic Riggs said. "John is joining an elite group of Mountaineers, which is well-deserved. We are extremely proud of all he has done to represent not only our program but our country."
Havlik says many of his fondest memories of his days at WVU occurred as a senior during that special 1979-80 season. The Mountaineers defeated rival Pitt at home in front of a packed house, which was just part of what became one of the best seasons in program history.
Now settled in the Tampa, Florida, area, Havlik likes to remain busy in retirement. Along with returning back to Morgantown at least once a year, he often teams up with another WVU swimming and diving great, former diver Bill Treasurer, in delivering motivational speeches to small groups and companies.
He's also involved in coaching and personal training.
"I like to put myself into the semi-retired status," Havlik said. "I try to keep myself busy."
Induction ceremonies for WVU Sports Hall of Fame will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility. The public is invited to attend and the event is free of charge.
Along with Havlik, the Class of 2017 includes Chrissie Abbott (women's soccer), Eddie Becker (men's basketball), Willie Drewrey (football), Charles Hickman (baseball), Dan Mozes (football), Kevin Pittsnogle (men's basketball) and John Spiker (administration/athletic training).
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