Jesse Vassallo - Retirement and College Years

Retirement and College Years

After traveling and competing around the world, Vassallo Anadón moved to Miami and enrolled in the University of Miami. In 1981, he was the NCAA champion in the 400-meter individual medley and set school records in the 200-meter individual medley and the 400-meter individual medley. During his Miami career, Vassallo Anadón was a two-time All American in 1981 and 1982, was selected for the Pan Americam team, as well as the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, which did not compete in Moscow. A knee injury in June of 1982 required surgery, practically ended his swimming career. However, he made a successful comeback a year later, and was named to the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, he finished fourth in the finals of the 400-meter individual medley, and also competed in the 200-meter backstroke.

He graduated from the University of Miami in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree in communications. That same year he returned to Puerto Rico, where he met his future wife, Betsy Lopez, sister of the Atlanta Braves baseball star Javy López and of Puerto Rican volleyball superstar Elaine Lopez. After working in his family business in Ponce for three years, Vassallo and his brothers opened "Vassallo Unlimited" which produces solid surface materials that are used in the construction industry.

Vassallo was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

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