Frederick "Fred" Baird
Yo-Hi Class of 1966
(1960 - 1963)

Thinking today about his extraordinary swimming career…… High School and college All American,  San Diego Breitbard Athletic Hall of Fame, Athletic Hall of Fame at Brigham Young University. He was beautiful to watch in the water.  

He was Yo Hi Freshman class vice president (see 1963 annual)

1983 Hall of Fame Inductee BYU:

When Fred came to BYU from San Diego, he already was an accomplished swimmer having been selected as a high school All-America in the 100-yard butterfly in 1965 and 1966. Not only was he an All-American but also he was selected to San Diego's Breitbard Hall of Fame as the fastest high school swimmer in the United States in the 100-yard butterfly. Needless to say, the Cougar coaches had great hopes for Fred.

Fred lived up to all expectations and went on to become one of BYU's greatest swimmers. As a freshman he set an NCAA record in the 200-yard butterfly. Fred terrorized WAC opponents as he was crowned WAC champion in the 100-yard and 200-yard butterfly in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Fred was undefeated in the 200-yard butterfly during his dual-meet career at BYU.

As a Cougar, Fred brought national attention to BYU by being named an All-American in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly in 1969.

During his BYU career, Fred completed in various indoor and outdoor national swimming championships. He placed third in the 200-yard butterfly at the indoor nationals in 1968 and also finished third in the outdoor national in the same year.