Roland "Lefty" LeBlanc

1949 * Swimming, Diving and Baseball * “The Diver”

"The willing to invest in ourselves, the understanding that we have to feel tired to get stronger. This has allowed me to reach the highest platform in the Olympic games." ~ John Nabor

Roland "Lefty" LeBlanc, was "the best diver I ever coached", said HOF coach Larry C. Amann. He proved to be true in 1948 by winning the CIAC State diving championship. He was a member of the Hartford Public High School swimming team for four years and the school's baseball team for three years. He also ran for the Owls cross-country team one year. In 1949 Lefty helped the Hartford Owls win the CIAC state baseball championship. Lefty had a very quick bat and was a flawless fielder.

Lefty's win in the CIAC diving event also helped Hartford Public win the CIAC Swimming championship. After winning the CIAC diving championship and making All New England in diving as well, Lefty LeBlanc went on to the University of Connecticut, where he earned his BA there and his MED at the University of Hartford.

From 1950 to 1953 Lefty served with the US Coast Guard on Guam, during the Korean conflict. He taught in the Hartford school system for 35 years and assisted in coaching divers at Trinity College and at HPHS. He was also active with the American Red Cross Heart Association for many years.