Tappan Zee High School Class of 1975

Don Fischer is a 1975 graduate of Tappan Zee High School and one of the original members of the TZ varsity swim team. He and his teammates help launch one of the most dominant athletic teams in Rockland County history.

Throughout his high school swimming career Don held Rock- land County records in the 200-yard individual medley, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, and as a member of TZ’s 400 freestyle relay. He held six individual school records and shared two more on relays. Don held the Rockland County record in the 200 IM from his freshman year through his senior year. Along the way, he also captured several Section 9 titles and records. As a senior, Don culminated his four-year TZ career (1972-75) by becoming Rockland County’s first New York State scholastic boys’ swimming champion, in the 200 individual medley, and added a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle. Later in his senior year, he was also AAU State Champion in the 200 IM.

Don was one of the early marquee protégés of Don Driscoll, the legendary coach (and fellow Rockland Hall of Famer) who built the TZ program into a juggernaut that won 25 consecutive Rockland County titles. Don contributed to the Dutchmen’s dual-meet win streak that stood at 52 when he graduated in 1975. He earned an athletic scholarship to the University of South Carolina, where he was a National Independent, SEC and NCAA Championship qualifier.
Don is now a partner in a family-owned print, packaging and display business in Nyack. He lives in Upper Nyack with his wife, Phyllis, and their three daughters: Betsy, who swam for and graduated from Colgate University; Sarah, who swims at the University of Denver; and Kate, a senior at Nyack High School, who will play lacrosse at the University of Denver.