Bill Prew, a 1977 inductee into the Wayne State University Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away on Tuesday in Boynton Beach, Fla.

"The athletic department has lost one of its greatest athletes of all time with the passing of Bill Prew," stated Director of Athletics Rob Fournier.  "His accomplishments were legendary not only for his time but for many years after.  Bill was distinguished as the individual who swam the inaugural lap in the Matthaei pool and for a program that has achieved national prominence, the successes of Bill were the foundation of those achievements.

"I had the pleasure of meeting Bill in his later years and we regularly talked via the phone.  Even though he re-located to Florida, his heart was with his great passions -- his wife Olga (who died in 2008) and his family, the State of Michigan and Wayne State."

Prew received a freshman award in swimming in 1939, and placed fourth in the 400 freestyle relay at the 1940 NCAA championships to receive All-America accolades.

He was the 1941 NCAA Division I national champion in the 100 free (52.1) also placed second in the 50 freestyle, which helped the Tartars finish in a tie for third at the national championships.

Prew equaled the world record in the 100-yard freestyle in 1942, tying Johnny Weissmuller's time of :51.0. He also set a world mark for the 300-meter medley relay of 3:22.2.

After his career was interrupted by military service, he was an All-American in 1946 after finishing fifth in the 50-yard freestyle.  Prew also served as team captain that year.

Prew attended Detroit Northwestern High School and graduated from Massanutten (VA) Military Academy where he was a National Interscholastic Champion and a Prep School All-American.  He was also a member of the 1939 National AAU Medley Relay Championship team.

He was selected for the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame in 1975 and is listed in Frank Menke's Encyclopedia of Sports under "Famous American Swimmers-Freestyle Sprinter."