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Charles McCallister

1903 – 1997

American water polo player

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About Charles McCallister

Lived 1903 – 1997 (aged 94). Charles McCallister was an American water polo player.

Stanford University McCallister attended Stanford University, graduating in 1925 where his water polo and swimming coaches was likely two-time Olympian Ernst Brandsten. Well-known on campus, he served as President of the Stanford Class of 1925, majored in pre-medical studies, and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. As in High School, he continued to participate in cheerleading, functioning as a "Yell leader", during sports events. Four time Olympian Wally O'Connor was one of McCallister's teamates on the Stanford Water polo and swim team. While at Stanford, McCallister briefly was a member of the boxing team.

Also selected as the first team of seven from the Los Angeles Club to represent the 1932 U.S. Olympic Water Polo team were F. Cal Strong, Austin Clapp, Herbert Wildman, Charles Finn, Philip Daubenspeck, and former Olympian Wallace O'Connor. O'Connor was one of the most experienced Olympians and by 1936 would serve as team Captain.

In the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, McCallister was part of the American water polo team which won the bronze medal. He played all four matches. Hungary took the Gold medal and Germany took the silver. McCallister played Center Back, a position requiring skilled passing and close coordination with the team. Hungary and Germany were the clear pre-Olympic favorites at the 1932, but teams from only five countries participated because of the long boat passage to Los Angeles from Europe. On August 6, the U.S. water polo team began their journey with an important 6–1 victory over the team from Brazil, and then on August 7, won a commanding 10–0 victory over the team from Japan. On August 9, the U.S. team consequently tied the very strong team from Germany by a score of 4–4. On August 11, the U.S. team lost 7–1 to the dominant team from Hungary. McCallister participated in all four matches.

Having tied with the team from Germany on points scored, the U.S. received the bronze medal due to goal difference. The win was the U.S. team's first Olympic medal in water polo before a predominantly U.S. crowd, and helped give greater visibility to the sport among American audiences.

1936 Berlin Four years later at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. McAllister was a member of the American water polo team which was eliminated from medal contention in the preliminary rounds of the 1936 tournament and did not advance to the semi-finals, ending with a tie for ninth place. He played all three matches.

Excelling in badminton, and table tennis, and enjoying handball, McCallister was a member of the Los Angeles Athletic Club from 1931-1987. In later years, he became a member of the City of San Marino Club, and the Old-Timers Club of Southern California.

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Important facts

People in Charles McCallister's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Charles McCallister's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Charles McCallister?

American water polo player (1903-1997)

When was Charles McCallister born?

Charles McCallister was born on 14 October 1903 in Madison.

When did Charles McCallister die?

Charles McCallister died on 22 October 1997 in San Marino.

What was Charles McCallister's occupation?

Charles McCallister was a water polo player.

What nationality was Charles McCallister?

Charles McCallister was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Charles McCallister

· Wikidata: Q1621133

· DBpedia: Charles McCallister

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Charles McCallister. https://biography.guide/charles-mccallister/

MLA: "Charles McCallister." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/charles-mccallister/.

Chicago: "Charles McCallister." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/charles-mccallister/.

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