Augustana College Athletics

There is no sport that has a faster record progression than swimming. What was fast yesterday may be slow tomorrow. Against that backdrop it is remarkable that Scott Power’s best times in his specialty, the backstroke, are still near the top of Augustana’s all-time list. A three time All-American, Power set the standard during his career with the Vikings and it is a testament to his excellence that he is still ranked among the elite over 20 years after he climbed out of the pool for the last time.

He was a four year letterwinner from 1981-82 through 84-85. As a freshman in 1982 he helped the Vikings win their last CCIW swimming title by placing third in the 100 backstroke and fourth in the 200 backstroke. During his sophomore season the team placed second and Power was third in the 200 individual medley, second in the 100 backstroke and second in the 200 backstroke. In the 1984 conference meet the Vikings were once again second in the team standings and he was fourth in the 50 freestyle, won the 100 backstroke in a new CCIW record time, swam the leadoff leg on the winning 400 medley relay that set a new conference record and was second in the 200 backstroke. As a senior the team fell to fourth by Power won the 100 backstroke, was second in the 200 backstroke and sixth in the 50 freestyle.

He earned NCAA Division III All-America honors in the 100 backstroke in 1984 and then came back in 1985 and was an All-American in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events.

He still holds the school record in the 400 medley relay with a time of 3:33.10 and ranks second in school history in both the 100 backstroke (:53.67) and 200 backstroke (1:58.38), both of which were recorded in 1984. He has the sixth fastest time in school history in the 50 freestyle with a time of :22.10, also in 1984. He was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Performer in 1984 and again in 1985. His time in the 100 backstroke is still third on the top times list among Illinois Small College swimmers and his 200 backstroke is 10th.

He graduated from Augustana in 1985 with a degree in political science and he went to law school at John Marshall Law School where he graduated with high distinction in 1988. A member of the Law Review Executive Board, he operates his own law practice that he started in 1994 in LaGrange, Illinois. He concentrates in real estate law, corporate planning and corporate law.

Scott and his wife Wendi live in Glen Ellyn, Illinois with daughter Sydney and son Dylan.