World Aquatics Vice President, Sam Ramsamy, to be inducted into ISHOF as Honor Contributor in September: Part of Class of 2023
Sambasivan “Sam” RAMSAMY (RSA)
World Aquatics Vice President, Sam Ramsamy spent the early years of his life working toward the birth of a new South Africa. He fought for the eradication of the color ban in sport, toward creating unity in the sporting arena and advocating for the selection of teams that would be based on merit. Ramsamy insisted that athletes that of all races must be given an equal opportunity to participate.
Ramsamy was the founding member of the South African Council for Sport, established in 1973. In 1976, he became Chairperson of the South African Non-Racial Olympic Committee (SANROC) and in 1978 was named the Executive Chairman of SANROC. The two sports organizations were united in their purpose in pursuing an international sports ban on South Africa’s athletes and by doing so, fostered greater global support for the resistance against apartheid. Following the Soweto uprisings in 1976, Ramsamy petitioned countries to formalize a boycott of South African Sports, which culminated in the Gleneagles Agreement of 1977.
During the transition to democracy, he encouraged international support for the black sports body, the National Olympic Committee of South Africa and became its head in 1991. He led the first non-racial South African team to the Olympic Games in 1992 Barcelona.
Mr. Ramsamy continued his mission in sports in South Africa, becoming a member of the IOC, FINA, numerous commissions, and serving in various roles. Currently, Ramsamy is FINA’s First Vice President, since May 2021, after serving many years as Second Vice-President (2017-2021) Vice President (2004-2017) and Bureau Member (1996-2004).
Come join Ramsamy and this year’s spectacular class of 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation. To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/
Class of 2023 Honorees
Bob Bowman (USA) / Honor Coach
Chris Carver (USA) / Honor Coach
Cesar Cielo (BRA) / Honor Swimmer
Kirsty Coventry (ZIM) / Honor Swimmer
Missy Franklin (USA / Honor Swimmer
Natalia Ischenko (RUS) / Honor Synchronized Swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima (JPN) / Honor Swimmer
Heather Petri (USA) / Honor Water Polo Player
Michael Phelps (USA) / Honor Swimmer
Wu Minxia (CHN / Honor Diver
Sam Ramsamy (RSA) / Honor Contributor
Stephane Lecat (FRA) / Honor Open Water Swimmer
Trischa Zorn (USA) / Honor Paralympic Swimmer
2023 ISHOF Aquatic Awards – Presented by AquaCal(Formerly the Paragon Awards)
2023 ISHOF Specialty AwardsFriday, September 29, 2023
Purchase Friday Night Tickets Here
5:00 – Cocktails and hors d’oeuvresOceanview Veranda Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach, 3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 954.525.40006:00 – Awards Ceremony Caribbean BallroomFort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach8:30 – Dinner on own
ISHOF Aquatic Awards – Presented by AquaCal
Swimming: Mike Unger (USA)Diving: Ellie Smart (USA)Water Polo: Mark Koganov (AZB)Synchro: Maria Jose Brunel (ESP)Aquatic Safety: Cullen Jones (USA)Recreational Swimming: Sophia Forte (USA)
ISHOF Specialty Awards John K. Williams Jr. Award: Gail M. Dummer (USA)Judge Martin Award: Norm Taplin (USA)ISHOF Service Award: Laura Voet (USA)Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Elaine K. Howley (USA)Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Tom Gompf (USA)Al Schoenfield Media Award: John Lohn Virginia Hunt Newman Award: Amanda GawthropeSammy Lee Award: USA Diving/Duraflex
**More ticket information to come**
**All ticket sales are final unless event is canceled**
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, (3030, Harbor Drive, Fort Lauderdale, 33316, 954. 525.4000) site of the Friday night awards ceremony is our host hotel. The hotel has given us a special rate of $229 per room night. Please make your reservations through the link below prior to August 29.
(Be sure to say you do not want the resort fee or you will be charged $259)
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Friday evening awards ceremony.
¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
($30 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach, 440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 524-8733.
Click Here: Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023.
Happy 38th Birthday to our 2023 Honoree, Michael Phelps
MICHAEL PHELPS (USA)
FOR THE RECORD: GREATEST ATHLETE/SWIMMER IN THE HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES; 28 TOTAL OLYMPIC MEDALS: 23 GOLD, 3 SILVER, 2 BRONZE; 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (200m butterfly, 200m IM, 4 x 100m medley relay, 4 x m freestyle relay, 4 x 200m freestyle relay) silver (100m butterfly); 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m butterfly, 200m IM, 4 x 100m medley relay, 4 x 200m freestyle relay) silver (200m butterfly, 4 x 100m freestyle relay); 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m IM, 4 x 100m medley relay, 4 x 100m freestyle relay, 4 x 200m freestyle relay); 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m IM, 400m IM, 4 x 200m freestyle relay,
Michael Phelps is undoubtedly the greatest swimmer to ever live. It is hard to believe that anyone will ever come close to matching what he has accomplished, attending five Olympic Games, winning 28 Olympic medals, 23 of which were gold, the others were three silver and two bronze. Not only is he considered the greatest swimmer to ever live, but he is considered one of the greatest athletes ever, compared to Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Tom Brady.
Come see Michael and the rest of the Class of 2023 be inducted on Saturday, September, 30, 2023, at The Parker Playhouse, 707 NE 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, 33304.
ISHOF 58th Annual Honoree Induction Ceremonies
Saturday, September, 30, 2023
5:00 PM – Hors d’oeuvres and Cocktails (Special ticket holders only)
6:30 PM – 58th Annual ISHOF Induction Ceremony Begins
Tickets: – Will be available through Ticketmaster beginning in mid-July
International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Honorees
Bob Bowman (USA)……………..…….….…..………….…..…Honor Coach
Chris Carver (USA)………..………………..…….……….……Honor Coach
Cesar Cielo (BRA)…………..….…….………………………Honor Swimmer
Kirsty Coventry (ZMB)…………..…….…………….……….Honor Swimmer
Missy Franklin (USA)…………..…..………………………… Honor Swimmer
Natalia Ischenko (RUS)………………..…Honor Synchronized Swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima (JPN)…….….………..……..……….……Honor Swimmer
Heather Petri (USA)……..…..………..……….… Honor Water Polo Player
Michael Phelps (USA)………..…….…..…..………………Honor Swimmer
Wu Minxia (CHN)…………………..………………………..……Honor Diver
Sam Ramsamy (RSA)………………………………..…..Honor Contributor
Stephane LeCat (FRA).…………..…….…Honor Open Water Swimmer
Trischa Zorn (USA).……………….….…..…..Honor Paralympic Swimmer
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
The Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, (3030, Harbor Drive, Fort Lauderdale, 33316, 954. 525.4000) site of the Friday night awards ceremony is our host hotel. The hotel has given us a special rate of $229 per room night. Please make your reservations through the link below prior to August 29. (Be sure to say you do not want the resort fee of you will be charge $259)
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Friday evening awards ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
($30 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach, 440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733.
Click Here: Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023.
Throwback Thursday
December, 1935 – The Second Annual Coaches Aquatic Forum, which would eventually become the College Coaches Swim Forum which would last well into the 2000’s.
Throwback Thursday: Oh how times have changed…….
Aquatic stars in the cigarette era
1965 ISHOF Honoree Adolph KIefer
https://www.ishof.org/honoree/honoree-adolph-kiefer/
1972 ISHOF Honoree Helen Wainwright
https://www.ishof.org/honoree/honoree-helen-wainwright/
1981 ISHOF Honoree Lenore Kight Wingard
https://www.ishof.org/honoree/honoree-lenore-kight/
Today in History
Chris Carver to be inducted as Honor Coach of Synchronized/Artistic Swimming in Class of 2023
Chris Carver is a ground-breaking synchronized swimming choreographer and club coach of the world renowned Santa Clara Aquamaids. As the co-head coach of the U.S. National Team, the team won every gold medal in elite international competition between the 1991 Pan American Games and 1996 Olympic Games. Her swimmer, Becky Dyroen-Lancer won all four gold medals at the 1994 FINA World Championships and then repeated the grand slam another eight times for which she earned the FINA Prize, the only synchronized swimmer in history to be honored with the award. With four of her club swimmers on the 1996 Olympic team, Carver choreographed the USA Team to win the Olympics’ first gold medal, in the team event, earning the first perfect 100 score in Olympic history
For many years, Carver has been a promoter of men in synchronized swimming. In 1996, she started coaching Bill May, the first male to compete for the Aquamaids. At this time, men could not compete at FINA sanctioned events, but open competitions welcomed them throughout the world. This initiated tremendous support for the inclusion of the event. Sixteen years later, it was announced that the mixed duet would be included at the 2015 World Aquatic Championships. Up to that point, men would only be able to compete in open events and competitions. May won first prize at the 1999 Swiss Open and French Open and was named US Synchronized Swimming Athlete of the Year in 1998 and 1999. Once the inclusion of the mixed duet was announced, May came out of a nearly ten-year retirement, and returned to train with Carver and Christina Jones. In 2015, they won the first FINA World Championships for mixed duets in Kazan. Bill May became the first man in history win a gold medal in a FINA World Championship. In addition, he was honored by FINA as the Top Male Synchronized Swimmer of 2015. As we progress even further, the Olympic Games of 2024 will introduce men into Artistic Swimming, thanks in part to so many, including people like Chris Carver and Bill May.
Kristina Lum and Bill May
Seven of the nine members of the 2000 US Olympic Team were Carver’s own swimmers as were eight of the nine in 2004, including Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova, who won bronze medals in duet. Overall, Chris has produced more than 50% of the USA’s Synchronized Swimming Olympians since 1984. In an era when the USA was Synchro’s world leader, Carver was named Coach of the Year by U.S. Synchronized Swimming 14 consecutive time since 1992 and her Santa Clara Aquamaids have won 14 U.S. National Team Championships since 1985. Chris has also been generous with her time and sharing of her knowledge by giving coaching clinics around the world.
Charlotte Davis, Gail Emery and Chris Carver
Come join Carver and this year’s spectacular class of 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation. To make a donation, click here: https://www.ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame 2023 Honorees
Bob Bowman (USA)……………..…….…….….….…Honor Coach
Chris Carver (USA)………..……………..…….………Honor Coach
Cesar Cielo (BRA)…………..….…….…..….……Honor Swimmer
Kirsty Coventry (ZIM)…………..…….……..….Honor Swimmer
Missy Franklin (USA)…………..…..……..……… Honor Swimmer
Natalia Ischenko (RUS)…….…Honor Synchronized Swimmer
Kosuke Kitajima (JPN)……….……………….……Honor Swimmer
Heather Petri (USA)……..………..…… Honor Water Polo Player
Michael Phelps (USA)………………..….…………Honor Swimmer
Wu Minxia (CHN)……………………..…….………..……Honor Diver
Sam Ramsamy (RSA)…………….………….…..Honor Contributor
Stephane Lecat (FRA).……………Honor Open Water Swimmer
Trischa Zorn (USA).………..………..Honor Paralympic Swimmer
ISHOF 58th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
Friday, September 29, 2023
ISHOF Aquatic Awards Presented by AquaCal
5:00 – 6:00 PM – ISHOF Awards and Welcome Cocktail Reception – Outside Veranda
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 / 954.525.4000
6:30 – 8:30 PM – ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and the ISHOF Specialty Awards Presentation – Caribbean Ballroom
Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 / 954.525.4000
Tickets: $100.00
Saturday, September 30, 2023
58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies
5:00 – 6:00 PM Cocktails at the 58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies
The Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 / 954.462-02
6:30 – 8:30 PM – the 58th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies Presentation
The Parker Playhouse, 707 N.E. 8th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 / 954.462-0222
Tickets: $275.00 / $375.00 / $475.00 – Will be available through Ticketmaster beginning in mid July
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50527236
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Friday evening awards ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option:
Courtyard Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 – $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony September 29-30, 2023: Last Day to Book: Friday, August 31, 2023
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND TICKETS
or Call 570.594.4367
MARK SCHUBERT REJOINS THE ISHOF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Last week 1997 ISHOF Honor Coach, Mark Schubert, rejoined the Board of Directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Schubert, who took a leave of absence, was reinstated as an ISHOF Board Member at the Tuesday, June 14, 2023 Board Meeting by an overwhelming vote.
Schubert’s success as a coach is undeniable. The one word describing Schubert on his Linkedin page by USA Swimming CEO, Tim Hinchey: LEGEND. That kind of says it all.
He won his first National Championship, as Coach of the Mission Viejo Nadadore’s Women’s Team in 1974, alongside famed Coach, George Haines of Santa Clara, who took the Men’s and Combined Titles. Schubert was only 25 at the time and Haines was his idol. He would go on to win 44 Club National Championships over a total of 13 years. He would also capture nine National Titles for the Mission Bay Makos in Boca Raton, Florida, where he coached for just over three years in the mid to late 1980’s. Schubert would eventually returned to Mission Viejo, looking to bring the club back to its former glory.
He also had success on the NCAA level. Schubert coached at the University of Southern California and the University of Texas, winning three NCAA Championships and 49 individual NCAA Titles, which included swimmers like Whitney Hedgepeth and Leigh Anne Fetter.
Schubert was a member of the USA Olympic Coaching Staff in 1980, (the Boycott Games) 1984, 1988, 1992 (Head U.S. Women’s Coach), 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympics.
The swimmers that Schubert has coached is like an Olympic roster of who’s who. Shirley Babashoff (1976), Brian Goodell (1976), Tiffany Cohen (1984), Mike O’Brien (1984), Jesse Vassallo (1984), Dara Torres (1984), and that is just the tip of the iceburg…………
Through his years as a coach, he has served on various USA Swimming Committees, including Steering, Olympic Operations and Technical Operations. He has also been on the American Swimming Coaches Board of Directors and has served as the College Swim Coaches Association of America’s Vice President.
We are very lucky and happy to welcome this extremely knowledgeable man, back to the ISHOF Board of Directors.
If you would like to read Coach Mark Schubert’s entire 1997 Honoree biography, click here: https://www.ishof.org/honoree/honoree-mark-schubert/
Who wants to go to the Movies?
You may have thought Johnny Weissmuller was the first Swimmer turned Movie Star, but you’d be wrong…..Meet Annette Kellerman of Australia and then Hollywood.
The Audacity of Annette Kellerman
by: Chuck Warner
On Juneteenth 2023, we remember “Black Splash: The history of African-American Swimmers”
