Like Father, Like Son: Berube Follows Unlikely Path To SMU History

Jack Berube wiped the water from his face, turned to the digital display and then began scanning the spectators in the stands. 

The preliminaries of the 100-meter backstroke at the 2024 SMU Invite back in November had just finished, with the sophomore winning the heat to qualify for the finals. He knew the result was good, but was certain it wasn’t good enough. 

So, when his eyes finally found his father, Ryan, in the crowd, Jack held up his hand, placing his index finger over his thumb, signifying he was so close to breaking his dad's record.

Then, he looked again. 

The initial time read 46.1 seconds. Now, the board showed 46.14. Ryan’s record-setting mark in 1996 was 46.15. 

The angst of thinking he just missed out quickly shifted into disbelief and elation. A nearly 20-year record, once held by the father, had been broken by the son. 

An Unexpected Turn

Ryan Berube was a record-setting swimmer during his career at SMU. Over a four-year span, he earned a combined 23 All-American honors between individual and relay events, culminating with NCAA Swimmer of the Year honors in 1996 after claiming a trio of individual national title titles. 

Jack grew up in the pool, only his focus was on a completely different aquatic endeavor. 

Water polo had been Jack's calling throughout his youth. His career in the sport was promising, with top collegiate programs inquiring about him all the way back to middle school. 

Based in Dallas, the Berube family often discussed Jack’s future. Ryan and his wife, Michelle, both graduated from SMU. There was talk of a gap year between high school and college to try water polo professionally in Europe before coming back to play collegiately for one of the top programs, then maybe a spot on the United States' Olympic roster. 

But what if that didn’t work out, Ryan asked? What if a school wasn’t willing to hold a spot for him while he went abroad? 

Ryan expected a teenage-minded response about playing water polo for a lower prestige school. But that’s not what he got. 

Ryan never pushed Jack into the sport. Yet, somehow it caught up with him. 

As a junior at Woodrow Wilson High School, Jack decided to give swimming a try while also keeping up with his water polo training. By the end of his career, Jack was a two-time Class 5A state champion in the 200 freestyle, a silver medalist in the 100 free and the holder of seven school records. 

Following a US Open cut time in the 100 backstroke between his junior and senior year, more recruiters came calling – this time from a different sport. 

The Journey Home

It started with water polo. It turned to swimming. But surfing might have been the water activity that changed everything. 

During his freshman year of college at Virginia, Jack had been out on the ocean riding waves when a freak accident shifted his life. After reaching the surface from one wave, another came crashing on him instantaneously. The impact went directly into his neck, paralyzing his arm. 

For two months, he couldn’t lift it. And the prognosis was anything but positive. 

Eventually, the muscles began firing again. Even as his mobility came back, it was apparent something wasn’t right. 

He returned to Dallas in February and got an MRI. It revealed a torn labrum with a cyst that was pressing the nerve, causing the previous damage to heal incorrectly

On March 28, 2024, Jack had surgery to repair the tear and remove the cyst. By mid-June, he was back in the water rebuilding his strength. In July, just as he began training again, Jack was announced as part of a 10-man signing SMU class for the upcoming 2024-25 season. 

A redshirt year? Easing back into competition during the fall? These notions never crossed Jack’s mind. 

Savoring The Moment

Ryan has been there. He’s been the driven and determined competitor, eager for the next challenge. 

Watching the non-linear and non-traditional path Jack took to this moment only makes the entire thing more special. 

Ryan still holds the record for the fastest 200 backstroke time in SMU history. He’s also among the top 10 times in the 100 free, 200 free and 200 IM. 

But Jack is in pursuit. He’s already teamed with Joe Rusnock, Russell Exum and Sage Sungail to reset the program record in the 200 and 400 medley relays this year, while earning the sixth-fastest 200 backstroke mark in school history, less than two seconds behind his father. 

After the final day of SMU Invite concluded, Jack and Ryan shared a moment poolside. Following the record-breaking moment in the prelims, Jack had to settle for runner-up in the finals. He quickly threw that fact out, along with the idea that he’s still off the pace in the 200 backstroke. 

Ryan quickly responded, telling his son to hold off on worrying about the future and savor the moment. When he was at SMU, Ryan was guilty of missing the bigger picture. And after everything they’ve endured, he doesn't want his son to do the same.