ST. XAVIER SWIMMING FOUNDED 1947

1951 Xavier News Swimming Article

Brother Fabius,C.F.X, was as much at home in the water as out of it. He started the St Xavier swim program in 1946, which helped start high school swimming in the City of Louisville, as well as the State of Kentucky. He also organized teams at Flaget, Manual, and Male High Schools in order to promote competition. He coached St. X to Kentucky state titles from 1947-1951, which started an eleven year stretch.

He taught at St. Xavier high school as well as schools in New York and Massachusetts. When he retired from teaching, he dedicated his life to helping the elderly, the poor, and especially the children in the lower east side of New York city.

Brother Fabius was well-known among the national swimming community. He had been invited to each of the Olympic Trials in 1976 through 1988. He counted Mark Spitz, winner of seven Olympic gold medals among his acquaintances.

Brother Fabius passsed away at the age of 72 at Ryken House, the Xaverian brothers’ retirement home on St.X.’s campus, in late September, 1989. He was inducted into the St.X. Athletic Hall of Fame two weeks later. His message to St.X swimmers, graduates, and the rest of the community is still appropriate today: