Bruce Harlan

Who was Bruce Harlan?

Bruce Ira Harlan was a diver from the United States and Olympic champion. He represented his native country at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, where he received one gold medal and one silver medal.

Harlan was a high school wrestler and pole vaulter in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and served in the United States Navy during World War II. Harlan coached diving at the University of Michigan from 1954 to 1959. On June 21, 1959 he took part in a diving exhibition in Fairfield, Connecticut. While helping to dismantle the scaffolding of the diving tower, Harlan fell 27 feet to his death.

Harlan was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1973.

In 1961 the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association honored Bruce Harlan when they created an award in his honor. The award is given annually to a diving coach who demonstrates continued leadership, contributions, and service to Michigan High School Diving.