Gordon Chalmers won varsity letters in swimming and soccer in four years at Franklin & Marshall College. He ran a marathon through athletics, starting at competition in college meets, to competition in international meets, to coach and Director of Athletics. As a freshman, Chalmers gained national recognition when he tied the world record in the 50-yard backstroke. He was a member of the 1932 United States Olympic Team in the 100m backstroke and was an NCAA national champion in 1933 in the 150-yard backstroke.
Chalmers coached and swam for the team through the 1933-34 and 1934-35 seasons, continuing the team's then-practice of using undergraduates as coaches. The team completed the first undefeated, untied, season in F&M history, winning the league championship at the conference meet.
Chalmers continued coaching at Lafayette (1940-41), Lehigh (1941-42; 1944-46), and at West Point Academy (1947-1959).
He then became the Director of Athletics at Iowa State, the same position held by Charlie Mayser during the World War I era. He also held the following offices: President of the National Swimming Coaches Association, President of the United States Gymnastics Federation and a member of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Olympics Committee. He retired in 1973 as Director of Athletics for Indiana State University and lived in New London, New Hampshire. Chalmers passed away at the age of 88 on Jan. 18, 2000.
