Background
Breen was born in Buffalo, New New York
Breen was born in Buffalo, New New York
State University of New York at Cortland.
After retiring as a swimmer, he became a coach at Jersey Wahoos Swim Club in New Jersey. Breen represented the United States at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He also took bronze medals in the 400-meter freestyle (4:325) and men"s 1,500-meter freestyle (18:082) – after setting a new world record of 17:52.9 in the qualifying heats of the 1,500.
He was elected team captain of the United States. men for the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and earned another bronze medal while competing in the men"s 1,500-meter freestyle (17:559).
He formerly coached for Gloucester County Institute of Technology (Deptford, New Jersey) swim team (now separate from the school, it is known as the Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Club) and coaches now at the Jersey Wahoos Swim Club in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.
As a member of the second-place United States. team in the men"s 4×200-meter freestyle relay, Breen earned a silver medal, together with Dick Hanley, Bill Woolsey and Ford Konno.
