The entrepreneur hopes to impart lessons learned over a successful career to graduates as they begin their own professional journeys.

By STEPHANIE CORRAL

WHEN WILFRED “FRED” UYTENGSU ’83 fractured his leg during his senior year of high school — requiring three surgically implanted pins —  he was told he would never play sports again. 

Determined to earn a spot on the USC men’s swim team as a walk-on swimmer, Uytensgu swam in a fiberglass cast for two months. 

With the encouragement of his teammates, his perseverance paid off. He not only made the team, but he was ultimately appointed to team captain during his senior year.

“The lesson there is never quit, work hard, and things will work in your favor,” said Uytengsu, who is chairman of the Alaska Milk Corporation and president of GENOSI, the exclusive supplier of meat products for McDonalds in the Philippines. 

The importance of perseverance is one of the many lessons he hopes to impart as the 2025 commencement speaker for the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy School graduates during their satellite ceremony on Friday, May 16.

A high level of respect

Uytensgu, who is founder of Sunrise Events, Inc. — the organizer for Ironman and XTERRA triathlons in the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam — says he has a high level of respect for physical therapists because he has personally seen how their expert care can improve a person’s quality of life and athletic performance.

“I’ve had 13 procedures for overuse injuries, from just beating up my body,” said Uytengsu, who is a two-time Kona (Hawaii) Ironman World Championship finisher. “I’ve had my fair share of interaction with physical therapists over the years.”

Uytengsu says physical therapy also played a large role behind the success of the Alaska Aces, a professional team in the Philippine Basketball Association, which he founded in 1986.

“We didn’t have the deepest bench or the biggest payroll, and yet our physical therapists were able to bring our injured players back onto the court fast,” Uytengsu said.

As a result, the Alaska Aces won 14 titles during the team’s 35-year history.

“The success there was dependent on a good coach, good players, but also the hard work of our physical therapists,” Uytengsu explained.

A familiar name

The name Uytengsu might be familiar to those on the University Park Campus. In 2012, Uytengsu made what would become the largest gift ever by a former student-athlete to USC Athletics, which funded the Uytengsu Aquatics Center. 

He says he is excited to return to his alma mater and hopes he can encourage and inspire the next generation of Trojans.

“They should be very proud that they’re getting a degree from USC and will be able to do outstanding work in their field as a result,” Uytengsu said. “I think it’s the greatest academic institution in the country.”

Reflecting on his own USC graduation more than 40 years ago, Uytengsu hopes graduates also walk away with a commitment to lifelong learning.

“This is a starting point, but by no means is the learning over,” he added. “You’re never going to stop learning.”

The Division’s satellite ceremony takes place Friday, May 16 at 4:30 p.m. in the Bovard Auditorium. For more information, visit the USC Commencement website.