Hall of Fame
Matt Humphreys is one of the most decorated swimmers in UC Santa Cruz history. Humphreys still holds three program records and finished his storied career as a 19-time All-American, claiming the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 1996 when he won the 200-yard individual medley. In addition to his athletic prowess, Humphreys was awarded the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2022, an award dating back to 1973 that recognizes former student-athletes on the 25th anniversary of their college athletics careers for their collegiate and professional achievement, as well as their civic contributions. Humphreys becomes the first UC Santa Cruz graduate to earn the prestigious award, which is presented to six individuals annually. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz, Humphreys became an officer in the United States Navy as well as a medical doctor after attending the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland. He is dual board certified in Preventive Medicine and Occupational Medicine and is currently serving active duty holding the rank of Commander. For his Naval service, he has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Commendation Medal. During his service, Humphreys saved a submariner who was seriously injured in an accident and helped care for 41 refugees rescued from a capsized vessel. From 2009-10, he worked with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 8 and helped select American Special Forces to reestablish the U.S. Embassy in Libya. In 2020, Humphreys was deployed onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt supporting COVID-19 relief efforts. He currently serves as the Navy’s public health emergency officer for the western U.S. and Pacific region.
