How College Swimming Changed My Life: Gator Alum Bob Utley

Florida
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

By Elise Campbell, Swimming World College Intern

Bob Utley couldn’t resist returning to the swimming world. Utley began working in sales after graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in liberal arts. Years later, he used the connections and skills he earned from his time as a collegiate athlete to jump-start his own business.

Getting His Start

College Swimming Bob Utley

From left to right: Anthony Nesty, Bob Utley, Brent Mitchell, Martin Zubero Photo Courtesy: Bob Utley

Utley was a swimming star at a young age. In high school, he swam for Admiral Farragut Academy in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as club team St. Petersburg Aquatics. Utley was a four-time state champion and record holder for Admiral Farragut.

In 1988, Utley entered his freshman year on a full ride to the University of Florida, swimming under legendary head coach Randy Reese. Reese helped Utley improve further and still holds great respect for him, both as a person and an athlete. The two speak often today.

Utley found college swimming much different from high school. He learned the non-stop training was a lot to handle at first, even describing it as “unorthodox in comparison to other schools.”

From 1988-1992, Utley had outstanding success at the University of Florida. He was a 22-time All American, 1989 SEC Swimmer of the Year and an NCAA Champion in 1991. Utley was a 1991 US Open Champion, a member of the National Team competing in both Italy and South America and swam in the Pan American Games in Cuba. He competed at Olympic Trials in both 1988 and 1992 and came very close to punching an Olympic ticket.

Tough Times

It wasn’t always smooth sailing for Utley. Throughout his career, Utley was plagued with knee and shoulder problems. He struggled with a coaching change his senior year leading up to the US Olympic Trials. His mother passed away from cancer that same year.

“I wanted to quit a few times, just because of the daily grind,” Utley said. “It was very difficult, trying to balance everything. I wondered what the most important thing was.”

The beliefs that college swimming instilled in Utley helped him push through.

“I carried over a lot of the core values that I got from training. I learned to be mentally strong.”

Utley’s experiences in collegiate swimming taught him the importance of loyalty, hard work and dedication and he continues to apply these to his daily life. Coach Randy Reese sees these qualities at work today.

“He was a hard worker and was very consistent in this,” Reese said. “I saw him as one of the favorites in the 200 freestyle with the Olympics coming up. From swimming, he gained a lot of confidence and discipline. Getting up early to work isn’t difficult for him because he’s been through so many early mornings.”

College Swimming Bob Utley and Randy Reese

Randy Reese and Bob Utley, Photo Courtesy: Bob Utley

Band of Brothers

Utley found a close-knit family in swimming. In fact, almost all of his groomsmen were swimmers. The experiences that these men faced in college continue to bring them together.

“My circle of friends is very small and they are all still swimmers. I’ve learned that they are the ones I can truly count on and trust. We all hung together then because we all went through the same struggles together. We were like a band of brothers.”

Back to His Roots

At 45, Utley is now enjoying success in the business side of swimming. He started his own business in his hometown of St. Petersburg. The Aquatic Shop is an apparel store for swimming gear that caters to all competitive water athletes, including triathletes. The store carries both TYR and Dolfin. Utley is also in the process of setting up a learn-to-swim school.

“I’d been out of the swimming world for a very long time and I decided I wanted to get back into it, outside of being a coach. I know so many people through the swimming world whom I’ve stayed in touch with, which really helped.”

Utley still attributes his time as a swimmer to some of his recent accomplishments.

“Swimming taught me determination and gave me a huge crop of people for support. Swimming is an individual sport, but we all did it together. We trained together, we cried together, we lost together. Those experiences influence and stay with me today.”

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Jeff Commings
Jeff Commings
8 years ago

I was on the Pan American Games team with Bob in 1991, and he was one of my suitemates. Great to see that things are going well for him!

Dunc1952
Dunc1952
8 years ago
Reply to  Jeff Commings

Is Bob related to national champion/American record holder William from IU?

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