Stories of Inspiration: Olympic Champion Wendy Boglioli Shares Personal Tale of Triumph
It’s been a half-century since Wendy Boglioli handled the second leg of the United States’ 400-meter freestyle relay at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. The performance of that American relay ranks as one of the most-iconic efforts in USA Swimming history, as Boglioli united with Kim Peyton, Jill Sterkel and Shirley Babashoff to defeat the doping-fueled squad of East Germany with a world-record outing.
Heading into that final women’s race of the 1976 Games, East Germany had won 11 of 12 gold medals, and posted gold-silver finishes in four individual events. Few upsets in Olympic lore match what Team USA managed in that 400 freestyle relay, and that relay will forever stand as an inspiration. Last week, however, Boglioli took to social media to recall another defining moment in her career, one that carried its own inspirational angle.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Boglioli dreamed of competing for the University of Wisconsin and its famed coach, Jack Pettinger. She envisioned herself staying home as a Badger, mentored by one of the sport’s elite coaches and guided toward an elite career in a sport she loved and was dedicated to. But Boglioli was never provided the opportunity to compete for Wisconsin, and a letter written by Pettinger told her she wasn’t good enough for his program.
“You’re a good swimmer,” Pettinger wrote. “But you’re not (Wisconsin-Madison) swimming material.”
That letter stung Boglioli. A dream was dashed, and alternate plans had to be sought. Eventually, Bogilioli accepted a full scholarship to Monmouth College in New Jersey and trained under Bill Palmer with the Central Jersey Aquatic Club. A few years after arriving in the Garden State, Boglioli earned a berth on Team USA for the 1976 Olympics. In Montreal, her gold medal in the 400 freestyle relay was complemented by a bronze medal in the 100 butterfly.
As Boglioli reflected on her journey last week via social media, she provided valuable insights for up-and-coming athletes, along with those facing adversity. Simply, her Facebook post was inspirational, a message that can benefit others.
Below is Wendy Boglioli’s Full Facebook Post:
“You’re a good swimmer. But you’re not UM swimming material.”
I was 18 when I read that.
If you swam in the 60s and 70s you know the name. One of the most incredible coaches of that era. 25 years as head coach at Wisconsin. He coached Jim Montgomery, who became the first man in the world under 50 seconds in the 100 freestyle.
I’d wanted it since I was 13.
That was the plan for five years.
The acceptance letter came. I was in.
Then I waited to hear from the coach.
Weeks went by.
Then the letter came.
Welcome to the U, Wendy. You’re a good swimmer. But you’re not U swimming material. If you want to try out next year, you can.
The man I’d looked up to since I was a kid had put it in writing.
People throw the word setback around. A bad practice isn’t a setback. A rough day at work isn’t a setback.
A setback is when the plan you’ve been building since you were 13 is gone, and the only road left runs out of your state, away from your family, to a school you’ve never heard of.
That’s what this was. Monmouth College. It’s Monmouth University now. Back then, a small school in New Jersey nobody in Wisconsin had heard of.
Dick Stedman was the head coach. He got me a full scholarship. One of the first given to a woman under Title IX.
So I left Wisconsin and went east.
And that’s where I met Bill Palmer at Central Jersey Aquatic Club. He’d coached Olympians and national record holders.
What are the chances of that.
He saw something. Not just the swimming. The courage and desire underneath it. He trained me.
At 21 I made the Olympic team.
That summer I stood on the podium in Montreal, Gold and Bronze.
And the people who believed in me when a letter said not to.
I saw Jack plenty of times over the years. College meets. The Games.
Always the same. “Hey, Wendy.”
He never once said he was sorry. Jack wouldn’t do that, and I never needed him to.
It was his team. He made a call on what he’d seen of me. I lived with it.
And honestly, I believe Jack lived with it too.
In 2019 the Wisconsin Swimming Hall of Fame inducted me.
Jim Montgomery was on that 1976 team with me. He swam for Jack too, in Madison, before Indiana and Doc Counsilman.
Fifty years later, at our reunion, I sat with Jim and told him this story.
He couldn’t believe it. He had no idea.
Same coach. Two different letters.
And if I’m honest, had I stayed in Madison I’m not sure I ever make that team. Jack had great swimmers. I might have been one of many. Never seen at all.
The setback is what launched me.
Adversity doesn’t build character. I don’t believe that.
Adversity makes you decide.
You get to read the letter. You don’t get to skip that part.
But you decide what it means.