Wayne State University Athletics

McClellan, a graduate of Detroit Northern HS, was the first swimming All-America in Wayne State's history. A member of the City College of Detroit's swimming teams in 1925 and 1926, McClellan was outstanding in the breaststroke on the collegiate and Amateur Athletic Union levels during the early- and mid-1920s. He is the only deceased member of the 1990 induction class. While at Detroit Northern McClellan won the 1922 NAAU 220-yard Breaststroke national championship. He continued to shine in AAU competition during the mid-20s, capturing several Michigan AAU breaststroke titles, according to press accounts from that era. At the 1926 National AAU championships, McClellan finished third in the 220-yard Breaststroke. At City College, McClellan became the school's first swimming All America in 1926 when he finished as national runner-up in the 200-yard Breaststroke. He was selected for All-America honors by the NCAA Collegiate Swimming Coaches Association. According to a Daily Collegian report, McClellan swain a 2:46.7 at the nationals, but this could not be confirmed with the NCAA. McClellan did finish second to Navy's Charles Allan Jr., who swam a 2:44.7 in the 200-yard Breaststroke to capture the national title. The NCAAs were held in Annapolis in 1926, but no team points were scored. The NCAA did not hold a team swimming national championship until 1937. At one point in his collegiate career McClellan tied the NCAA record for the 200-yard Breaststroke with a time of 2:42. He also set CCD's record in the 220-yard Breaststroke with a time of _:10.4. Despite a tremendous effort by the Wayne State University Athletic Hall of Fame Board of Directors, for the first time in the 15-year history of the Hall, a relative or friend of Mr. McClellan could not be located. Also, additional information on Mr. McClellan's swimming career is not available. The Board will continue its efforts to find a representative of Mr. McClellan, and additional information on Mr. McClellan's career. The Board wishes to extend its appreciation to Athletic Hall of Fame member George "Shorty" Sherman for his assistance in this process and for providing the photograph of Mr. McClellan that appeared in the 1925 City College of Detroit Annual.