DAVID PRIOR
2013 INDUCTION TO THE RHODE ISLAND AQUATIC HALL OF FAME
David began his swimming career at the Fox Point Boy’s Club under the tutelage of Bud Latham. David’s competitive career began when he entered LaSalle Academy in the fall of 1958, following his brothers Jerry and Mike. As a Boy’s Club/AAU swimmer, David’s biggest accomplishments were in long distance swimming. At the age of 15, he was the New England Senior AAU four (4) mile swim champion. As a member of the La Salle team, David was the lead swimmer in the 200 and 400 yard freestyle events and at the 1962 Brown Interscholastic Swim Championship meet won the 400 yd. freestyle. David entered Brown University in 1962, following his brother Mike. David was elected co-captain of the freshman team and set Brown freshman records in the 400 and 500 yd. freestyle and was the lead swimmer in the 200 and 400 yd. freestyle in freshman dual meets. During his sophomore year, he set the Brown varsity record in the 500 yd. freestyle and later broke this record several more times as a junior and senior. This record remained until it was broken in 1971. Also, in his sophomore year, David was a member of the record setting 400 yd. freestyle relay which stood into the 1970’s when Brown built a new aquatic center. In his senior year at Brown, David placed at the New England Swim Championships and was again elected co-captain.
Upon graduating, he entered the United States Army serving in Japan & Vietnam. Dave attained the rank of Major and received a bronze star for service in Vietnam.
Dave then secured his law degree from UCONN, worked 5 years as assistant city solicitor in Warwick and 24 years as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island, retiring in 2009. Dave started swimming Masters in his 40’s and has often won his age group events at New England’s Masters, especially the 500 yd. freestyle. At the inaugural RIAHOF 1.2 mile swim at Portsmouth Abbey last year, David finished in the middle of the field of 120+ swimmers at the age of 67. David also placed 7th in the Masters’ National One Hour Swim. Dave and his wife Elaine live in Warwick. They have two children Katy & David, and are grandparents to Lizzie, Phillip & Charlotte.