The Sport of Diving loses a Legend: Dr. Ron O’Brien dies at age 86 at home in Naples, Florida
Dr. Ron O’Brien, a legend in the sport of diving has died at the age of 86. As a Coach, no one can compare to the resume O’Brien created in the sport of diving. He was an eight-time USA Olympic Diving Coach, seven-time Head Coach, beginning in 1968, continuing through every Olympiad until his last in 1996. He was a seven-time USA World Championship Head Coach, four-time USA Pan American Games Head Coach and seven-time USA World Cup Head Coach. O’Brien has coached more Olympians than we can count, winning five gold, three silver and four bronze, but will probably be best remembered for the 1988 Olympic Games, when he coached Greg Louganis to his second double gold medal performance in the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events, making Louganis the only man to accomplish back-to-back double gold medals in Olympic diving history. All totaled in major competitions, O’Brien divers have won 196 gold, 113 silver and 106 bronze medals.
His coaching career began after a brief stint at Minnesota ~ O’Brien was then named the Head Diving Coach at his alma mater, the Ohio State University where he coached from 1963-1978. He eventually moved to Southern California in 1978, where he became Head Coach of the Mission Viejo Nadadores. It was in Mission Viejo that O’Brien won an astounding 38 Team Titles, and in 1984 the United States swept all four gold medals at the World Championships, the only time this has ever been accomplished and the first time any country has swept a major international world class event since 1952. The divers were all coached by O’Brien.
His Olympic medalists include: Jennifer Chandler (1976), Debbie Keplar Wilson (1976), Greg Louganis (1984, 1988), Michelle Mitchell(1984, 1988), Wendy Wyland (1984), Scott Donie (1992) and Mary Ellen Clark (1992, 1996).
In 1985, O’Brien headed to South Florida to coach at a brand new facility called Mission Bay in Boca Raton, where he stayed until 1990. He hit the ground running; the very next year in 1986, all 12 United States Diving individual National Titles were won by Ron O’Brien divers. O’Brien won 16 Team Titles while at Mission Bay and was soon inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) as an Honor Coach in 1988.
In 1990, The City of Fort Lauderdale, home to ISHOF, hired O’Brien as the Director of Diving and Head Diving Coach at the Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex. There, O’Brien won 20 Team Titles in all, and a majority his athletes competed in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, with O’Brien serving as Head Coach. Pat Jeffrey, Karen LaFace, Kent Ferguson, Scott Donie, Jenny Keim, Mary Ellen Clark, and David Pichler were all members of the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team.
In addition to coaching Olympians in Fort Lauderdale, O’Brien served as the National Technical Director for USA Diving from 1991-2004.
After the 1996 Olympic Games, O’Brien retired from actively coaching on deck. In 1996, He was named Diving Special Events Coordinator at the Hall of Fame Aquatics Complex for the City of Fort Lauderdale, where he remained until 2008. He was named High Performance Director for USA Diving in 2004, where he served for the next four years. Once retired, he created and operated “Divers to College”, an online college recruiting website, exclusively for divers and diving. He was always looking to help the “diver”.
Ron O’Brien produced a United States National Champion in 25 of his 30 years as a coach and had a National Champion for 24 consecutive years, from 1973 through his very last year in 1996. Awards started almost immediately in his career. In 1974, O’Brien was presented the Mike Malone Award, given for outstanding contributions to United States Diving. In 1976, O’Brien was given the Fred Cady Award for coaching an Olympic Champion and the James A. Rhodes Award for participation in the 1976 Olympic Games. He was awarded the Mike Peppe Memorial Award, an unprecedented 14 times, first in 1979, and the last time was his final year of coaching, in 1996. In 1993, he was given the WHOSAM Award, which is given for commitment to excellence and dedication in the sport of Diving. In 1996, he won the United States Olympic Committee’s Diving Coach of the Year, as well as the Phil Boggs Award, given for outstanding contributions to United States Diving.
In addition to ISHOF in 1988, O’Brien was inducted into The Ohio State University Hall of Fame in 1984; he was a 1996 Inductee into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame; in 2004, he was inducted into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Most recently, O’Brien was inducted as part of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Class of 2019 as an Honor Coach, one of only six coaches to ever be inducted.
On May 23, 2015, the city of Fort Lauderdale inducted Dr. Ron O’Brien with a star embedded on Fort Lauderdale Beach on the City’s Walk of Fame as part of its sixth annual Great American Beach Party celebration. The City followed up on January 7, 2020 by proclaiming it Ron O’Brien Day in the City of Fort Lauderdale.
O’Brien was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on March 14, 1938. He became interested in diving and gymnastics at the Pittsburgh YMCA, where he began his athletic career. He went on to attend college at the Ohio State University, earning six varsity letters in both diving and gymnastics. He became the NCAA National Champion on the 1-meter in 1959, NCAA All-American on both the 1- and 3-meter in 1957, 1958, 1959, and the AAU National Champion on the 3-meter in 1961. In 1960, at the U.S. Diving Olympic Trials, O’Brien placed third, missing making the Olympic Team by one place. Not making the team, sent him into coaching, and created a coaching legend that may never be replicated. On May 20, 2010, Ohio State University named their diving well, the Ron O’Brien Dive Well, in his honor.
Dr. Ron O’Brien leaves behind his wife of over 60 years, Mary Jane, daughter Anne, son Tim, four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
“I am grateful for the unconditional love he showed me. I was an instrument of his creation. He told me, “Greg, they will forget you and what you did, but they will always remember your records.” He is the only reason they exist. Thank you Rono, for your love.” Greg Louganis, Olympic gold medalist, 1984, 1988 4-time Olympic gold medalist.
“We have many great memories of Ron, knowing each other since Mexico 1968 Olympics and more recently with your wonderful family, when you invited the whole Italian Team to your home. You have been one of the greatest coaches in the world, working with most of the best American divers gaining many Olympic medals, but specially being a fantastic man and husband. A big hug from Klaus and Giorgio and all the Italian divers…RIP” Klaus DiBiasi (3 gold, 2 silver) and Giorgio Cagnotto (2 silver 2 bronze), Italian Olympic Divers.
“Ron was the gentleman’s coach. A class act, humble and quiet. But boy did he know just what to say at the right moment. He coached and helped so many top divers and other coaches in the sport of diving. He was beloved around the world and will be greatly missed.” Michelle Mitchell, 1984, 1988 Olympic Silver medalist
“Ron was a legendary Coach, but an even better person and friend. We will all miss him dearly.” Steve McFarland, former President USA Diving, World Aquatics Technical Diving Committee
“I didn’t know Ron that well, as I was a Michigander and Ronnie was from Ohio State, but I absolutely admired the way he worked with his divers and the person he was.” Bobby Webster, two-time Olympic gold medalist, 1960, 1964, 10-meter platform
“To be coached by Ron was such an honor. He was a class act coaching his athletes to their potential while teaching life skills through mentorship. He helped the world of diving step into excellence with grace and humbleness. Ron was motivated by coaching the entire person so we could learn the life lessons through sport to then help the next generation by paying it forward. Ron was a leader through action, a man with a plan and my dear friend in life. I am forever blessed for Ron changing my life. Heaven is so lucky to have such a gentleman in Ron O’Brien, a star in life and now, among the stars.” Mary Ellen Clark, 1992, 1996, Olympic Bronze medalist
“Ron O’Brien was the most professional diving coach I have ever known and that’s saying something. He added stature to be a diving coach; just the way he presented himself at diving competitions. He was a benefactor to the sportand he will be sorely missed.” Tom Gompf, lifelong friend, former President USA Diving, FINA Technical Diving Chairman
“Ron O’Brien was one of my oldest and dearest friends in the diving community. When I started diving at Ohio State, I lived in same rooming house as Ron. I was coached by Ron, along with Don Harper, and I attribute any success that I had in the sport to him and will continue to miss him.” Lou Vittuci, lifelong friend and 1964 Olympian, 10-meter platform
“Ron O’Brien was the ultimate coach for every diver. He dealt with all the fears young athletes had in a way that put them at ease and allowed them to build self-esteem/confidence where they were lacking. Truth be told, he was a genius when it came to reading people.” Cynthia Potter, 4-time Olympian, Olympic Diving Commentator
Ron’s achievements as a coach spanned four decades and included Olympic success by some of the most accomplished divers to ever compete in the sport. But most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father, who was humble, kind, and generous throughout his life. Ron truly was an icon of the sport of diving and will be missed profoundly by all in aquatics worldwide.” Dale Neuburger, World Aquatics Treasurer
“Ron was everything. Kind, generous, smart. An unmatched eye for detail. But his greatest quality was how much he cared about each and every one of us. And that level of caring leads to magic.” Scott Donie, 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist, 10-meter Platform
Guess who Swims? You might be surprised…
So, we all know the names, Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, and more recently Kate Douglass and Regan Smith. But have you ever stopped to think about about other sports heroes?
One of the greatest basketball players of our era, NBA Mega-Superstar, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, who was a five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, 15-time NBA All-Star and NBA All-Star Game MVP, began his life and initially aspired to be a competitive swimmer. He grew up on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and only changed his plans when at 14, Hurricane Hugo destroyed the island’s only Olympic sized swimming pool, so he took up basketball.
Today, he is called “The greatest baseball player of all time”, Shohei Ohtani, star of the 2024 World Series winning Los Angeles Dodgers, started as a SWIMMER! He swam through his high school years at Hanamaki Higashi High School, in Iwate, Japan, and his Coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, claimed that the eventual American League MVP was the fastest swimmer on his team, and “could have made the Olympics.” His father was a minor league baseball player and guided Shohei into baseball instead of swimming.
So, today, at ISHOF / the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, who walks in to swim laps, but none other than, NHL Florida Panther, 2024 Stanley Cup Winning Goalie, Sergei Bobrovsky. Long-time ISHOF Staffer, Meg Keller-Marvin’s son, Matt Marvin, who happens to be a huge Florida Panthers fan, and City of Fort Lauderdale lifeguard, immediately recognized him and struck up a brief conversation, as “we”Bob” was on his way out. The one thing Marvin did say, “He’s got a gear bag with everything in it: goggles, fins, paddles, kickboard and he even wore a Speedo!”
Sounds like a SWIMMER to us! Way to go Bob-by!
Forrest Nelson to Receive the 2025 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award
FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) willrecognize Forrest Nelson for his extensive contributions to the administration of openwater swimming with the 2025 Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler MemorialAward. The award will be presented to Nelson during the International MarathonSwimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremony in Jersey onSaturday May 17th, 2025.
The Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award is presented annuallyby the International Swimming Hall of Fame to the individual who has contributed themost to the administration of open water swimming.
This year’s award recognizes Forrest Nelson, an open water swimming administratorfrom the United States of America. Nelson led the Catalina Channel SwimmingFederation (CCSF), an IMSHOF Honor Organization, from 2011 until 2022. Whileserving as President, the federation grew substantially. While retaining the coremembers of the CCSF Board of Directors, he recruited additional talent in anticipationof this growth. Nelson invited additional boat captains to escort the surge in applicants.The CCSF observed three times as many successful solo swimmers, and 15 times thenumber of successful relays in his ten years as president, than the previous ten years.This expansion occurred while maintaining the organization’s reputation forimplementing one of the most robust safety plans among major open waterorganizations.
Forrest Nelson and team helped evolve the organization’s registration process,observer training, and kayak support, to make applying to Catalina one of the moststraightforward and streamlined of the Triple Crown and the Oceans Seven Swims.One outcome of his leadership has been a substantial increase in the number ofinternational swimmers attempting the 20-mile stretch of open water between CatalinaIsland and Los Angeles, California.
Nelson himself is an accomplished marathon swimmer, completing the Triple Crown ofopen water swimming in 2007. He set the speed record for the 74.7 km swim aroundCatalina Island in 25 hours and 35 minutes. IMSHOF recognized Nelson as an HonorSwimmer in 2015 and he has been a faithful supporter of IMSHOF, attending nineInduction and Awards Ceremonies since 2012.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (+1954) 462-6536, or visit https://ishof.org
Nora Toledano Cadena to receive the 2025 Poseidon Award
FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce Nora ToledanoCadena, of México, as this year’s recipient of the 2025 Poseidon Award for her incredibleachievements in marathon swimming. The award will be presented to Toledano during theInternational Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction and Award Ceremonyon Saturday May 17 th , 2025, in Jersey (Channel Islands). The Poseidon Award, presentedannually by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, recognizes outstandingcontributions to marathon swimming. This award honors individuals or organizationsthat have significantly advanced the sport of Marathon swimming through theirpersonal efforts or initiatives.
This year’s award honors Nora Toledano Cadena. She is an accomplished swimmer, whoraced on the FINA circuit for eight years, was the 14th person to complete the Ocean Seven,and the first Latin American woman to achieve a two-way English Channel Swim. Nora is anaccomplished administrator. She organized the FINA Marathon Swimming World Cup twicein México, has served on the IMSHOF Executive Committee since 2022, been acommentator during two Olympics Games, and co-authored the book, A Cada Brazada: ElAzul Interminable (With Each Stroke: The Endless Blue). In her role as a coach, sheexcelled as she trained, crewed and advised more than 100 long distance swimmers fromMéxico, in addition to swimmers from another eight different nationalities (USA, Spain, Italy,Peru, Colombia, Iran, Chile and Guatemala). Fifteen of her swimmers completed the TripleCrown and two the Oceans Seven.Nora was inducted as an Honor Swimmer in the International Marathon Swimming Hall ofFame (IMSHOF) in 2006.
For additional information, please call Ned Denison in Ireland at (+353) 87-987-1573 or ISHOF at (570) 594.4367 or visit https://ishof.org
Nora Toledano Cadena recibirá el Premio Poseidón 2025FORT LAUDERDALE –
El Salón Internacional de la Fama de la Natación (ISHOF) se enorgullece de anunciar que lamexicana Nora Toledano Cadena recibirá este año el Premio Poseidón 2025 por susincreíbles logros en los maratones de natación. El premio será entregado a Toledanodurante la Ceremonia de Inducción y Entrega de Premios del Salón Internacional de laFama de los Maratones de Natación (IMSHOF) el sábado 17 de mayo de 2025, en Jersey(Islas del Canal). El Premio Poseidón, otorgado anualmente por el Salón de la Famade la Natación Internacional, reconoce las contribuciones destacadas a los maratonesde natación. Este premio honra a individuos u organizaciones que han hecho avanzarsignificativamente el deporte de los maratones de natación, a través de sus esfuerzospersonales o iniciativas.
El premio de este año honra a Nora Toledano Cadena. Es una nadadora consumada, quecompitió en el circuito de la FINA durante ocho años, fue la decimocuarta persona encompletar el Ocean Seven y la primera mujer latinoamericana en conseguir nadar el Canalde la Mancha de ida y vuelta. Nora organizó la Copa del Mundo de Natación de Maratón dela FINA dos veces en México, ha formado parte del Comité Ejecutivo de la IMSHOF desde2022, ha sido comentarista durante dos Juegos Olímpicos y es coautora del libro A Cada Brazada: El Azul Interminable. En su faceta de entrenadora, destacó entrenando, comoequipo de apoyo y asesorando a más de 100 nadadores de larga distancia de México,además de nadadores de otras ocho nacionalidades diferentes (Estados Unidos, España,Italia, Perú, Colombia, Irán, Chile y Guatemala). Quince de sus nadadores completaron laTriple Corona y dos los Siete Océanos.
Nora fue incluida como Nadadora de Honor en el Salón de la Fama Internacional deMaratones de Natación (IMSHOF) en 2006.
Para más información, llame a Ned Denison en Irlanda al (+353) 87-987-1573 o al ISHOF al(570) 594.4367 o visite https://ishof.org.
Congratulations to Honoree Missy Franklin and husband Hayes Johnson ~ expecting Baby Girl #2
On Halloween, Missy Franklin and her “SuperHero family”, husband, Hayes Johnson and daughter, Cait dressed up for trick or treating, but we were the ones who were “treated” to the very special news that Missy is expecting in March 2025. Here is Missy’s Instagram post:
missyfranklin88: “We couldn’t be happier to share that we’re adding another superhero to the family!! Baby girl Johnson number two making her entrance in March🩷 Owlette (aka Cait Cait) couldn’t be more excited to be a big sis, and she will be the BEST big sister. We are absolutely over the moon and cannot believe our blessings. So thankful to be growing our family.”
“Happy Halloween from the three, soon to be FOUR, of us!!🫶🏻
Missy was inducted into ISHOF as part of the Class of 2023. You can read about her stellar career and watch her induction video here!
https://ishof.org/honoree/missy-franklin/
Congratulations Missy and family !!!
Please consider ISHOF this year in your End of Year Giving or on Giving Tuesday!
Giving Tuesday is December 3, 2024
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is currently raising money to support our new museum, which is part of our $218 million renovation project. As you know, every dollar counts! Your generous donation will help us maintain financial stability while our multi-million-dollar iconic renovation is being completed, or you can stipulate that your tax-deductible donation be used for displays in the new Hall of Fame Museum. It’s entirely up to you!Since 1965, ISHOF has been the international showplace for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming, including all the aquatic sports, which now include Masters, High Diving, Paralympics and Open Water. The museum, library and archives contain the world’s largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts, and literature across the globe.
We honor, pay tibute, and celebrate the aquatic heroes of yesterday while showcasing our sports and disciplines. We also are working to ensure “Every Child A Swimmer” as we fight to eradicate drowning, the leading cause of death in children. On behalf of all of us at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, thank you for your continued support and hope you will donate in support of our efforts. We need you more now than ever!
It’s easy to give, just click on the link:
https://internationalswimminghalloffame-bloom.kindful.com
Happy Holidays from the staff of ISHOF!
Every Child A Swimmer – November post
Every Child a Swimmer: Saving Lives, Strengthening CommunitiesDrowning is a preventable tragedy that affects countless families and communities. Each year, drowning claims the lives of thousands of children, and the ripple effects are felt deeply. According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4. Even more heartbreaking is the reality that for every child who drowns, another eight are hospitalized due to non-fatal drownings—incidents that can leave lasting physical and neurological impacts on families and communities for a lifetime. The statistics are stark, but change is within reach. Together, we can save lives.
At the Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) program, we’re committed to turning these tragedies intopreventable incidents by teaching life-saving swimming skills. Through 2024, we’ve awarded over $379,622 in funding to support swim lessons, reaching 1,474 children and providing them with essential water safety skills. This year, ECAS also donated $20,000 to the Clearwater for Youth program, enabling transportation for young students in grades K-2 from six local elementary schools to participate in swim lessons. At John Hopkins Middle School, we partnered with a unique program led by dedicated physical education teachers, which allowed 450 middle school students to take swim lessons during PE class.
These efforts bring us closer to a future where drowning is a rare occurrence.Our work would not be possible without partnerships. We collaborate with over 280 quality swimschools across the country, providing up to three months of swim lessons to low-income families who provide proof of financial need. By removing barriers to access, we help ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill.
Formal swim lessons have been proven to reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. Swimming isn’t just another sport—it’s a skill that saves lives and opens doors. Whether it’s confidence to enjoy the water, an introduction to competitive swimming, or a potential career in aquatics, swimming can shape futures. The child who learns to swim today might be tomorrow’s Olympian, lifeguard, or swim coach.
At ECAS, we follow each child’s progress to ensure they build water competence and confidence that will last a lifetime. Join us in this vital mission to turn drowning into a preventable tragedy—together, we can save lives and make Every Child a Swimmer. Every dollar raised funds our Learn to Swim Scholarship Program, helping more children gain life-saving skills and making a big impact one lesson at a time. Let’s work together to create safer, stronger communities for all.
#ISHOF #EveryChildASwimmer #CityofFortLauderdale #WorldAquatics #DrowningPrevention
Call for Nominations for the ISHOF Class of 2025
It is that time of year again, when we ask for nominations from all disciplines and all countries. Each individual should have achieved tremendous success in the aquatic discipline(s) and/or made a significant impact on the sport of aquatics through their lifelong efforts. Nominations must be submitted along with supporting materials by December 15, 2024.
You may submit your nomination online by visiting: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbWjNJq9cc0r3Jj5RePDhMmc8ToA1HX9fyjqFnNupU2FIAjQ/viewform
Or you may send your nomination to meg@ishof.org
Generally, athletes shall not be chosen unless retired from international competition at least four years or at least one Olympic quadrennial. “Athletes” refers to swimmers, open water swimmers (World Aquatics), divers, water polo players and artistic (synchronized) swimmers.
A coach must have a significant international record and have been coaching at least 25 years.
A contributor must have been in aquatics at least 20 years and have had a significant international impact. Athletic achievement should NOT be considered, contributions are to the overall improvement or development of “international” sport through leadership, journalism, invention or other area of great, outstanding impact
Remember the key word – “international”. Emphasis should be placed on the international impact made by the nominee, not just within his or her own country. Voting for athletes should be based on the items in the following order of importance: • Olympic gold medals • World Records • Number of Olympic medals won, Olympic Games attended & Olympic finals achieved. • World Championship gold medals, Numbers of total World Championship medals won • World Cup, Grand Prix gold medals • Regional Championships won (European Championships, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Asian Games, Pan Pacific, South American Games, etc.)
Happy Birthday Buck Dawson, October 31st!! ~ the reason we exist!
FOR THE RECORD: Founding Executive Director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (1964); Known as the “Walking Encyclopedia of the Sport”.
He claims his family doesn’t allow him to swim in public! (Only at night when no one can see!) But Buck Dawson has done more for swimming than any non-swimmer in the world.
William Forrest Dawson — “Buck” is a historian, fundraiser, author, promoter, and of course, prankster.
Buck first got involved with swimming after his marriage to RoseMary Mann — daughter of the late Matt Mann. From then on, it went something like this: organizing the Ann Arbor Swim Club, co-directing Matt Mann swim camps in Canada each year (Camp Ak-O-Mak and Camp Chikopi), chairing Michigan women’s swim AAU for eight years, and serving three terms on the United States Olympic Swim Committee. He shares responsibility in starting the women’s national collegiates and reviving national women’s water polo.
Dawson likes to think of himself as a coach and still keeps his hand in training marathon swimmers and national long distance individual and team winners in US swimming. Besides his special gift with children, he has also made magic at the International Swimming Hall of Fame for the past twenty years. He was chosen as the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s first executive director in 1963 after helping Fort Lauderdale win the host city bid at the National AAU Convention in Detroit. With the help of Fort Lauderdale pioneer G. Harold Martin, who wrote the Hall’s Charter, Dawson made the Hall grow from an idea to a shoebox collection and ultimately a million dollar operation as the showcase and archives of swimming. A tireless, smiling, globetrotting ambassador of swimming, he can be credited with helping attract thousands of athletes, fans and press alike who flocked to Fort Lauderdale for sun, fun and swimming. Visiting college swim teams training at the Hall of Fame spread the word up North that resulted in Fort Lauderdale’s annual Spring Break.
It was Dawson who urged the YMCA in 1972 to bring their National Championships to Fort Lauderdale which is now is the largest annual National swimming event in numbers of athletes and spectators in the country. The FINA International Diving Grand Prix, nationally televised for most of the past 28 years, is a Dawson creation as is the 38th Annual Fort Lauderdale Rough Water Swim, formerly International Swimming Hall of Fame Ocean Mile and Galt Ocean Mile Swims, and now the longest-running ocean mile swim on the eastern coast of the United States. At one time or another, he brought the U.S. National Championships of swimming, diving, synchronized swimming and water polo to Fort Lauderdale. It was Dawson who gave the now Fort Lauderdale-based American Swimming Coaches Association roots in 1971 when he and Hall of Fame staff assumed administrative duties for ASCA. Dawson was a powerhouse not only in ASCA but also in the organization of another association – the National Swim and Recreation Association.
One of his many great successes at the Hall of Fame was his introduction of Swim-A-Thon to the United States, which increased the endowment of ISHOF and raised funds for individual swim clubs and teams. This tireless, smiling, globetrotting ambassador of swimming can also be credited for the thousands of athletes, fans and press alike who have flocked to Fort Lauderdale for sun, fun and swimming.
Dawson was the first president of the International Sports Heritage Association, now a 136 member organization of Sports Halls of Fame which he founded under the name of International Association of Sports Museums and Halls of Fame. His first meeting in Fort Lauderdale in 1971 had only two other organizations in attendance—the Hockey Hall of Fame of Canada and the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame. Under Dawson’s leadership, ISHOF became the world’s first “International” Hall of Fame when it was recognized by the 96 member FINA Congress (the world’s governing body of swimming) in 1968. ISHOF was also the first Hall of Fame to have the “field of play,” the swimming pool, on site.
Throughout the years, it has been Buck who traveled from meet to meet armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books and bumper stickers always spreading the word, always willing to talk and teach swimming to anyone who would listen. As swimming’s walking encyclopedia, he was respected in his field not only for his knowledge, but his zest for life, his search for new facts, memorabilia, new ways to teach children to swim and keep the sport alive and growing. Dawson was the link between the age group swimmers and swimming’s legends. He brought Tarzan Johnny Weissmuller to Fort Lauderdale for six years as ISHOF’s Chairman of the Board. Buster Crabbe, Eleanor Holm and Esther Williams were regulars. Dawson was the common denominator that tied the past to the present.
A day doesn’t go by without “Good Morning, America,” “USA Today,” “NBC Nightly News” or one of the nation’s top swim coaches calling to speak to Buck. He is respected in this field not only for his knowledge but his zest for life. . . his search for new facts, memorabilia. . . new ways to teach those children to swim and keep the sport alive and growing. Dawson is the link between our age group swimmers and our swimming legends. He is the common denominator that ties the past to the present.
Dawson’s specialties? Swimming, diving, synchro, water polo, water safety, bathing suits, bathing beauties. . .
Dawson eats, lives and breathes swimming. He has written numerous books and has been the recipient of many prestigious awards. Buck IS the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Who else would name an ISHOF mascot Mark the Spitz? Or snicker at the thought of a dog paddle derby?
Dawson is hype, show business — an idea and PR man. Throughout his life, he has always gotten his kicks out of promoting something or somebody else he believed in : in the war it was Generals Gavin and Ridgeway- the 82nd Airborne; later his alma mater, the University of Michigan; his family, swim camps and ultimately the Swimming Hall of Fame, swimming and swimmers.
What does this walking encyclopedia say about himself? “I wouldn’t say I’m a workaholic, but I think swimming has been my hobby. . . I have been sort of a little bit of everything. I feel this (the Swimming Hall of Fame) has been the culmination of my life.”
Born on Halloween in 1920, in the same hospital room that produced swimming greats Bill Simon (USOC and ISHOF President), Ginny Duenkel (Olympic Swimming Champion), and Fort Lauderdale’s Alice and Dick Kempthorne of ISHOF and US Swimming Fame, Buck was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Dawson of Easton, PA. His father was President of Dixie Cup Company (and later went on to head the “Keep America Beautiful” Campaign) while Buck attended prep school at Blair Academy (NJ) where he was an all-state track captain and a state champion halfback on Blair’s undefeated football team. His sports talent continued at the University of Michigan and included freshman football and running on the track team where his 880 yard relay team set an indoor world best time. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He was elected to Michigauma, the senior honor society, and was managing editor of the Michigan Ensian Yearbook in 1948, his senior year. He completely re-organized the book from cover to cover and his writing career took off where in the next 55 years he wrote hundreds of short stories and authored or co-authored over 18 books on a full range of subjects from swimming, volcanoes and the environment, the American Civil War and World War II. He received Michigan’s prestigious Hopwood Prize for Writing.
Some of his books include A Civil War Artist From the Front (the work of Edwin Forbes, combat artist), When the Earth Explodes, Michigan Ensian (50 year history of Michigan Athletics), All About Dryland Exercises For Swimmers, Weissmuller to Spitz—An Era to Remember (Swimming Hall of Famers from 1965-1987), Age Group Swimming and Diving For Teacher and Pupil (with wife RoseMary), Million Dollar Mermaids—America’s Love Affair With Its First Women Swimmers, Gold Medal Pools (features the worlds most beautiful pools), We Don’t Sew Beads on Belts (a 500 page scrapbook of memories of Camps Chikopi and Ak-O-Mak) and Stand Up and Hook Up (his diary as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne).
Dawson was a combat platoon leader and glider trooper with Co. E, 235 GIR, Division Reconnaissance and Division Headquarters. He is a recipient of 17 decorations including the Bronze Star and French Medal of Honor. He landed at Nijmegen, Holland, on September 17, 1944, in Operations Market Garden, participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the crossing of the Siegfried Line, crossing the Elbe River and meeting the Russians at Grabow, Northern Germany. He also occupied Berlin, in charge of press relations for General James Gavin and the 82nd Division. Among his duties were to escort Marlene Dietrich and Ingrid Bergman through the city, to report the progress of the troops. In the process, he befriended Dietrich, serving as the liaison between her and her mother in occupied Berlin. He tried to impress Bergman by jumping off Hitler’s balcony when asked how Hitler may have escaped the raids.
After the New York Victory Parade down Broadway, he wrote the Saga of the All American, the official history of the 82nd Airborne, a task assigned to him in England by General Matthew Ridgeway. His previous service with the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops had given experience to handle deep snow in Ardennes Patrol. He returned to service during the Korean War as the public information officer for Army Air Support Center, publicity officer for National Army and Air Force Recruiting. He was a writer for Admiral Carney’s NATO command of southern Europe and editor of the Jayhawk (newspaper) for General Gavin’s V Corps, Germany. He spent his last Army year in Walter Reed Hospital recovering from multiple injuries suffered in a jeep accident. He was discharged from the hospital wearing a black eye patch over his left eye, a patch which became his identification mark for the rest of his life. He was a special assistant to the Director of the Peace Corp in the early 1970’s.
After the war, Dawson returned to Ann Arbor to complete his BA under the GI Bill, focusing his energy on Michigan’s Ensign Yearbook. As yearbook editor in 1948, Dawson traveled with Michigan’s first football team since 1902 to compete in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Marlene Dietrich and director Billy Wilder were there to greet Dawson as he was hoping for a break into the movies, which because of the rise of television, never materialized. A $100 bet with Humphrey Bogart on a Dawson declared score of 50-0 horrified Dawson when Michigan only won by a 49-0 score. He wondered how he would come up with the money to pay movies’ toughest guy. On the set of Foreign Affair, Wilder was the one to say, “Don’t worry about it with only a one point difference.”
His 1955 marriage to RoseMary Mann Corson, a widow with three children, was his invitation to join the Mann family camps Ak-o-Mak (for girls) and Chikopi (for boys), the world’s first competitive swimming camps and located in Ontario, Canada, founded by RoseMary’s father, Michigan and Olympic swimming coach Matt Mann in 1920. Dawson was the campfire entertainment, sports teacher and instigator while RoseMary was the swimming coach, disciplinarian and philosopher—a perfect combination of talent. Dawson was all outdoorsman, a sportsman, the kind of guy you can get lost in the woods with and laugh your head off before he finds your way back. Campers still tell “Buck the Hero” stories.
Dawson’s interest in lake swimming led to his training swimmers for marathon swimming races and included Marty Sinn, Susie Thrasher, Jocelyn Muir and more, taking them on crossings of the English Channel, Lake Ontario and other bodies of water. The camp girls (and boys) competed in the U.S. Long Distance Championship Three and Four Mile Swims, each summer usually held in Huntington, Indiana. His competitive spirit flowed into all that Dawson did at Ak-O-Mak and Chikopi including the inter-camp softball and soccer competitions—boys against girls. In his later camp years, Dawson was a story teller, a cheerleader and biggest booster. With his PR mind, he took Matt Mann’s words and put them to work—”We Don’t Sew Beads on Belts,” meaning camp is all action, all activity.
With Rosemary, he helped organize the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Swim Club in the late 1950’s, one of the country’s first swimming clubs for women. He was Chair of Michigan Women’s AAU Swimming for eight years and served three terms on the United States Olympic Swimming Committee. He shared responsibility with RoseMary in starting National Collegiate Swimming for women and reviving National Women’s Water Polo in the early 1960’s.
Dawson followed RoseMary from Ann Arbor to London, Ontario in 1963, when she became the first women’s coach of any sport at the University of Western Ontario. Then it was RoseMary’s turn to follow Buck the next year to Fort Lauderdale when Buck opened the International Swimming Hall of Fame. By now they had four children, three daughters and one son. Connie was an outstanding women’s swim coach. Marilyn made two Canadian Olympic swim teams winning a bronze medal in 1968 (4x100m freestyle) and serving as team captain in 1972. She won four Pan American and two Commonwealth Games medals. Marci and Bruce were outstanding high school swimmers. Marci pre-deceased her parents.
Dawson is hype, show business, a collector, historian, dog trainer, fund raiser and ladies man. But most of all, he always got his kicks out of promoting somebody or something he believed in: General Ridgeway, General Gavin, the 82nd Airborne, Camps Ak-O-Mak and Chikopi, the University of Michigan, his wife, children, father-in-law, and ultimately the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
A 45 year resident of Fort Lauderdale, Dawson was honored as Fort Lauderdale Distinguished Citizen of the Year in 1987, for his many contributions to the City. Under his leadership, the ISHOF became the center of activity on the beach and the anchor for beach revitalization in the 1990’s. He received many honorary awards including the Wilbert E. Longfellow Commodore and Golden Whale for the promotion of water safety; the R. Max Ritter Award, the highest honor bestowed by U.S.A swimming; the W.R. “Bill” Schroeder Award, the most prestigious award from the International Sports Heritage Association; the Joseph G. Rogers Award, the National YMCA’s Grand Award; and the Davids/Wheeler Award for Meritorious Service to Long Distance Swimming. He was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a coach/contributor and into his own International Swimming Hall of Fame as a contributor following retirement in 1986. The International Swimming Hall of Fame recently announced the Buck Dawson Annual Author’s Award presented to the author of an inspiring book related to swimming.
Lastly, thinking about Buck and his legacy, Buck was a pretty easy going guy. He truly loved certain things. The one thing that sticks out in my mind is his dogs. The dog went everywhere Buck went. Even if they were not allowed to, Buck still took them with him. Restaurants, the pool deck – (the City of Fort Lauderdale was NOT a fan of the dog:), hotels, meetings, black tie events, conventions. If Buck went, the dog went. The first dog I remember Buck having was “Mickey-Mac”, she was a blonde Cocker Spaniel, not the friendliest dog to children, but she loved Buck-that had to be the late 1960’s to the early to mid 1970’s. Then there was Midnight, who replaced Mickey Mac. Midnight, as the name suggests, was a Black Cocker Spaniel. Buck decided one day to teach Midnight to play tether ball. So, he set up a tetherball pole in front of the museum and anyone who visit ISHOF, Buck would have Midnight give them a show. Midnight didn’t last very long, and after he died, Buck discovered there was a breed of dog named “Spitz”. Yes, you guessed it, the next dog Buck got was a Spitz and Buck named him Mark. And he always introduced to people as, “Mark the Spitz”, to anyone who would listen, both inside and outside the museum. There were more dogs through the years, I can’t remember them all, (I do remember Frosty), but no one had a greater love for those dogs than Buck!
Happy Birthday Buck! Those of us who knew you, count ourselves among the lucky ones!!!
Future Hall of Famer, Ryan Murphy Celebrates Grand Opening of Goldfish Swim School Near Hometown in St. Johns, Florida
Photo Courtesy: Ryan Murphy
by Dan D’Addona — Swimming World Managing Editor
28 October 2024, 05:16am
As Ryan Murphy reached the pinnacle of his swimming career, he wanted to use that platform to help others.
After winning three Olympic gold medals in Rio in 2016, he partnered with Goldfish Swim School Franchising, LLC, as a brand ambassador, helping to teach kids how to swim.
Now, he has his own school.
Murphy celebrated the grand opening of the Goldfish Swim School in St. Johns, Florida, close to where he grew up, last week.
“It has been a couple of years in the making,” Ryan Murphy told Swimming World. “My family and I decided a few years back that we wanted to open up a Goldfish Swim School in the greater Jacksonville area. We started the process, eventually found a plot of land and built it from the ground up. It is a buzzing area and a great location.
“After having a bit of success in Rio, I looked into philanthropy and looking at the statistics, I learned how dire of a situation drowning is in the U.S., and really across the world. It felt like a natural fit for me.”
Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children 1-4, according to Goldfish Swim Schools, and learning to swim reduce the risk by nearly 88 percent.
“It is an epidemic,” said Murphy, a four-time NCAA champion in both backstroke events at Cal. “And we know what the cure is. We just need to make it more accessible.”
There are more than 170 Goldfish Swim Schools in the country that teach more than 200,000 kids to swim each week. But starting one from scratch was an experience that took time and patience.
“We really bought a dirt lot. We had to get everything from water to electrical set up. Goldfish does a great job setting a plan for what the building should look like, which helped. It is really beautiful. It is a really welcoming place for parents and children to feel comfortable and learn to swim,” Ryan Murphy said.
The St. Johns facility has two full-time staff members and 29 part-time staff members.
“I will be going back a good bit to Florida to make sure things are going well, and my parents still live in Florida and have been very hands on,” Ryan Murphy said. “We want this location to be a top-tier experience for everyone who walks through the door.
“The hope is to open up more locations.”
Earlier this month, ISHOF Awarded Chris and Jenny McCuiston, owners of the GoldFish Swim School Franchises, the ISHOF Aquatic Award, presented by AquaCal for Aquatic Safety.