The University of Michigan athletic department’s newest Hall of Honor class — football coach Lloyd Carr, swimmer Brent Lang, ice hockey player John Matchefts and gymnast Elise Ray — will be honored this coming weekend.
There will be an induction ceremony Friday night (Oct. 16) at 6:30 p.m. at the Michigan League and then the four will be recognized at halftime of the Michigan-Michigan State football game Saturday (Oct. 17). With the Hall of Honor induction moving to the fall starting this year, this marks the second 2015 class (February, October).
Lang won four NCAA titles while at Michigan, capturing two in the 50-yard freestyle and two in the 100-yard freestyle. He set a school record in the 50-yard freestyle that stood for 23 years.
He collected six Big Ten individual championships and was an NCAA All-America selection all four seasons. He also helped lead the team to four straight Big Ten titles.
As a member of the U.S. 1988 Olympic team, Lang won a gold medal by competing in the preliminary heats of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay in Seoul, South Korea. In January, he was presented with the NCAA’s prestigious Silver Anniversary Award, given annually to six outstanding former student-athletes based on success in athletics and on a professional level.
After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering, Lang started Vocera, a Silicon Valley communications technology company.
The U-M Athletics Hall of Honor was established in 1978 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches and administrators to the tradition of Wolverine athletics and, in doing so, have enhanced the image and reputation of the University of Michigan.
Those student-athletes inducted into the Hall of Honor have met the following criteria, listed in order of importance: University of Michigan graduate; NCAA champion or national championship team member; All-American; national or conference player of the year; individual or team Big Ten champion; all-conference award recipient; U-M, Big Ten, NCAA, World, U.S. or Olympic record holder; U-M team captain; Olympic team member or medalist.
The following criteria is considered when selecting coaches: National Coach of the Year, NCAA team championship, coach of NCAA individual champions, previous induction into specific sport hall of fame.
Brent Lang, courtesy of U-M Photography
College Swimming News is courtesy of U-M Athletics.
Congratulations Brent. You probably don’t remember me but I was at Elizabeth college when you and your brother were there.I swam on the school team not guernsey’s club team. I live in Michigan now down river Lincoln Park. I have often wondered what happened to you and your brother swimming wise. I coach swimming now a city recreational team as well as Varsity for Riverview High school. So glad to hear about you and your induction. Fantastic job.Cheers Mark Buchanan
Super nice guy – thoroughly enjoyed training with him .
Couldn’t agree more – he personifies leadership and achievement, and continues to give back to the sport, the University and the community. Well deserved Langer!
I agree. Great job Brent!!