The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2012
- Class:
- 1987
An 11-time All-American and six-time honorable mention All-American who helped lead the Longhorns to four consecutive NCAA team titles, (McGrath) Chavey was one of the top butterfly swimmers in school history. (McGrath) Chavey made an immediate impact on the Forty Acres in her freshman season in 1983-84, as she placed third in the 200-yard butterfly, eighth in the 100-yard butterfly and 12th in the 400-yard individual medley at the NCAA Championships to help Texas win its first NCAA team crown and third overall national title. She received the prestigious V.F. Neuhaus Endowed Presidential Scholarship, UT’s highest endowed scholarship honor, following her freshman year. (McGrath) Chavey earned four All-America honors and one honorable mention All-America accolade as a sophomore in 1984-85 by placing second in the 200 butterfly and the 800 freestyle relay, seventh in the 400 individual medley, eighth in the 100 butterfly and 16th in the 200 freestyle. She also broke UT’s school record in the 200 butterfly as a sophomore, a mark that stood until 2008. During her junior season in 1985-86, (McGrath) Chavey recorded her second consecutive NCAA runner-up finish in the 200 butterfly and also placed 15th in the 400 individual medley and 16th in both the 100 butterfly and the 500 freestyle to lead UT to its third consecutive NCAA title. During the summer prior to her senior season, she represented the United States at the 1986 FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation) World Championships in Madrid, Spain, where she placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly. (McGrath) Chavey served as team co-captain as a senior in 1986-87 and led the Longhorns to their fourth consecutive NCAA team title. She placed second in the 200 butterfly and the 200 medley relay, sixth in the 100 butterfly and 14th in the 500 freestyle at the NCAA Championships. (McGrath) Chavey earned an additional All-America honor by swimming on UT’s 800 freestyle relay in the preliminary round, before Texas won the event in the finals. Following her senior season, she claimed UT’s prestigious Donna Lopiano Leadership Award. (McGrath) Chavey was also tabbed the Southwest Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year, earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and claimed a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-America team. A four-time league individual champion during her collegiate career, she also led the Longhorns to four consecutive SWC team titles. (McGrath) Chavey graduated magna cum laude from The University of Texas in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in English. Following her graduation, she represented the United States at the 1987 Pan American Games and won a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly. She and her husband, UT graduate Dr. William “Rusty” Chavey, live in Superior Township, Mich., with their seven children. (McGrath) Chavey is a homemaker who has homeschooled all seven of her children: Halley (21), Will (19), Sarah (17), Joseph (15), Maggie (13), Lucy (11) and Christopher (9).
