University of Connecticut Athletics
Coach McDevitt Left Swimming Legacy At UConn
8/3/2021 1:36:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving
UConn Athletic Communications / Aug. 3, 2021
Peter McDevitt Jr., noted UConn athlete and 21-year UConn swimming coach who instituted the women's program at the school, passed away peacefully Saturday at the age of 88.
McDevitt, a decorated Marine who served during the Korean War, spent his life as an athlete and coach at the high school and collegiate level, mentoring countless youngsters in sports and in life.
"We are all saddened to learn of Coach McDevitt's passing," said current UConn swimming coach Chris Maiello. "He was an educator, coach, mentor and American hero who served his country proudly. We are all grateful from him and his service, not only at UConn, but to our country."
McDevitt was born in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., but grew up in Greenwich and graduated from Greenwich High, where he excelled in soccer, swimming and track and field.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 and was deployed to Korea, where he fought in two major engagements. He was wounded in the first battle, but asked to return after recuperation. Critically wounded in the second battle, he spent six months on a hospital ship before returning home, earning two Purple Hearts, The Korean Service Medal, and The State of Connecticut Armed Military Service Medal.
After finishing his service, McDevitt enrolled at UConn, where he was a three-sport athlete, setting the mile record in track that stood for 10 years and lettering for three years in soccer, serving as team captain as a senior. Off the athletic fields, he was president of student government.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1958, McDevitt began his teaching and coaching career at Greenwich High, while he worked toward his master's degree, receiving his M.S. in secondary education from the University of Bridgeport in 1961.
At Greenwich High, McDevitt's successful coaching career included soccer, swimming, and track, in addition to starting the first high school wrestling program in a Connecticut public high school. His soccer and swimming teams both captured state championships.
McDevitt returned to UConn in 1964 as assistant soccer and swimming coach under Dr. John Squires and he was promoted to UConn Aquatic Director and head swim coach in 1967. Later that year, he was selected by the U.S. State Department to travel to Iraq and coach swimming, wrestling and track, establishing the first national swimming program in that country.
During his 21 seasons as UConn swimming coach, the Huskies recorded 17 winning seasons, were the Yankee Conference repeat champions in the late 1970s and won the inaugural BIG EAST Conference swim title in 1979.
In 1974, McDevitt established the first women's collegiate swimming program in the eastern United States and his women's teams recorded eight consecutive winning seasons. Under his direction, they recorded numerous top five finishes at the New England Championships and top 10 finishes at ECAC Championship meets.
McDevitt was the recipient of the prestigious "Master Coach Award" in 1980, presented by the National College Swimming  Coaches Association for outstanding service to collegiate coaching and the university and he served as president of the New England Men's swim Coaches Association.
When he stepped down as UConn head coach in 1988, his men's teams had compiled a dual meet record of 157-135-1 and his women's team record was 92-78-1. In 2016, he was inducted into the University of Connecticut Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.
In his later years, he became and avid runner and participated in numerous local and regional road races.
"Coach McDevitt was an instrumental figure in UConn Athletics and our competitive swimming and diving program in particular," Coach Maiello said. "I give him tremendous credit for starting our women's program at a time when women's athletics were in their infancy at the college level. He had a vision of what our program could become and we are so thankful for his work and Coach (Bob) Goldberg's continuation of that work into what our program has become today.
"Coach McDevitt will be greatly missed. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences from all of us associated with UConn Swimming and Diving go out to his family."
Coach McDevitt is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorraine, their three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his oldest daughter, Mariaelana.
Coach McDevitt's family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday (Aug. 5) from 4-7 p.m. at Potter Funeral Home, 465 Jackson St., Willimantic. Masks are requested to be worn during calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Coach McDevitt's name to the Windham High School Booster Club, 355 High St., Willimantic, Conn., 06226. Â
