It is with deep sadness that the University of Toronto Varsity Blues program announces the passing of swimming alumnus, William (Bill) Yorzyk. He was 87 years old. 
 
"When you looked him in the eye, you could see his unrivaled passion for the sport of swimming - and for winning", remembered Byron MacDonald, long-time head coach of the Varsity Blues swimming program. "He was focused and to the point. He was driven and a high-energy person. He would push you (verbally) to explain how you, as an individual, were going to get better at what you did, in swimming or outside of swimming."
 
Yorzyk made his mark at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Representing the United States, Yorzyk became the first gold medal champion of the, then, newly added 200 butterfly event, finishing with a time of 2:19.3 in the final.
 
Following the Olympics, Yorzyk came to the University of Toronto to study medicine. He continued his competitive swimming career and joined the Varsity Blues swim team.
 
Yorzyk swam during the 1957-58 season, which culminated with the team winning the Ontario Quebec Amateur Athletics (OQAA) championship that year. He then took over as the head coach in 1958-59, following the departure of Cressy McCatty, and helped lead the team to two additional OQAA championships.  
 
Yorzyk was twice name U of T's scholar athlete of the year, earning the Bickle Award in both 1958 and 1959, and later served as a physician in the United States Air Force Medical Corps, commissioned a captain.
 
A member of the U of T Sports Hall of Fame, Yorzyk was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1971.
 
Our condolences go out to the entire Yorzyk family during this difficult time.  He will be fondly remembered as a member of the Varsity Blues family.
 
For more information on Bill Yorzyk's illustrious swimming career, please click here.