He was a three-time All-American in 1973, ‘74 and ‘75, leading Cal State Men"s Water Polo to a combined 72-9 record during that span. Svendsen, renowned for his 98 mph backhand, played in numerous other international water polo tournaments. He is a two-time All-American in swimming (1973 and ‘75).
Jon Svendsen was inducted into the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame, in 1989.
A standout for the Cal State Bears on three consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association title winning water polo teams between 1973 and ‘75, Svendsen was named the Collegiate Player of the Year, Pac-10 Player of the Year and National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Most Valuable Player in 1975.
He was a member of the 1980 United States Olympic Team, and earned a Silver Medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Svendsen was a regular on the United States. National Team for a decade, was a member of the 1980 United States. Olympic Team, played at the 1975 and 1983 Pan American Games, and earned a Silver Medal at the 1984 Olympics.
