Throwback Thursday – Aileen Riggin competes in Paris 1924 Olympics and does what no other woman does or ever has!
As we prepare to be thrilled by the athletes competing in Paris this Summer at the Olympic Games, let’s remember that exactly 100 years ago in the very same city, athletes were impressing our ancestors just as much! One such athlete was 14 year old, ISHOF Honoree, Aileen Riggin.
Aileen Riggin was born to be something special. Her father was a paymaster for the U.S. Navy, so the family lived all over the world. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, she learned to swim in Manila Bay, (Philippines) when she was six. After the family moved back to the states, they settled down in New York City where Aileen became a member of the famed WSA in New York. She was coached by the famous ISHOF Honor Coach, Louis de B. Handley of the NYAC, a double gold medalist in his own right at the 1904 Olympic Games. Not only a swimmer, Aileen began diving, where she discovered her prior ballet training helped with her form in the sport. In the early 1900’s, girls did not play sports or have places to practice, so Aileen came up with places to dive own her own, which included tide pools near her home.
At the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Aileen became the youngest U.S. Olympic champion and the first women’s Olympic springboard diving champion. Riggin accomplished these honors, just as she had passed her 14th birthday. The Antwerp Games were the first time that American women participated in regular Olympic events. “Our participation was limited in those days to swimming. Track and field events came later for women, as well as gymnastics, fencing, and various other sports that women compete in today,” said Riggin.
At only 14 years old, it was amazing enough winning a gold medal, but Riggin did it alone. No parents, siblings, just teammates and of course coaches, who were basically adults, no parents, peers or friends. She traveled from her home in New York all the way to Antwerp, Belguim on a steamship to compete in her first Olympic Games and came away with gold. It can’t hurt to add that she also competed in the 10-meter platform event, where she may not have medaled, but she placed 5th….in the world!
She may have travelled alone to the Games, but Aileen recalled, “There was a great deal to do on the ship. In the evenings before curfew, we would go up on the top decks and gather around and listen to our Hawaiian team members sing and play their ukuleles and guitars. There were about 11 of them, and they were all swimmers.” The most prominent was Duke Kahanamoku, who won the 100-meter freestyle in Stockholm in 1912 and was to repeat his victory in Antwerp in 1920. “They were very accomplished musicians, and everyone seemed to have a beautiful, sweet voice. We were entranced listening to them and sitting under the full moon, sailing across the Atlantic. Even though we were supposed to be children, it was a most romantic experience.”
1924 would be the Olympic Games where Aileen would make history. It has been 100 years and STILL no one has done what Aileen Riggin was able to do in the 1924 Games.
At the 1924 Olympic Games, Riggin was and still is the only woman in Olympic History to win medals in both diving AND swimming. Aileen won a silver medal in the 3-meter springboard event and a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke event.
If no woman started earlier as an amateur champion, certainly no professional woman stayed on top longer. Riggin decided to turn professional in 1926. She played the Hippodrome for three weeks, and toured with English Channel swimmer Gertrude Ederle six months after her famous swim. 1930 saw Riggin touring the globe; she worked steadily, from making Hollywood pictures to helping coach and organize Billy Rose’s first Aquacade where she also starred in, at the 1937 Cleveland Exposition. She even dabble in writing articles on her adventures, which appeared in magazines such as Colliers, Good Housekeeping and others.
Aileen eventually retired, married twice and had a family. Her first husband was killed in WWII. With her second husband, Howard Soule, she moved to Honolulu where she lived for almost 50 years.
Later in life, Aileen was one of the most popular and sought after Olympians and Celebrities in swimming in the U.S. and particularly Hawaii, where she lived with her husband. She was Team USA’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremonies at the 1984 Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles. When the Olympic Games came back to the U.S., in Atlanta, 1996, Aileen was given the honor of being invited to speak to Team USA prior to the start of the Games.
Aileen continued to swim for recreation, health and because she enjoyed it. She even swam and competed in Master Swimming. At the age of 85, she broke six world records in her age group, in the freestyle and backstroke events, and by the time she upped to the next age group she broke five more world records.
By the turn on the new century, she was celebrated as the nation’s oldest living Olympic female gold medalist and she was the only surviving Champion of the 1920 Games. She passed away peacefully in 2002 in Honolulu and will always be remembered as a Pioneer in Women’s Sports.
Canadian Diver Alex Despatie to be inducted as Honor Diver in 2024
Alexandre Despatie first came to public attention at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with an extremely impressive gold medal on the 10m platform which included an unprecedented string of perfect 10s. He was only 13 years old at the time, and the achievement was recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records 2000.
At his first Olympic Games in Sydney, 2000, he finished in 4th place, in the 10m platform event. The very next year, Alex won the silver medal at the World Championships in 2001 (Fukuoka) in the same event, and finally gold in 2003 (Barcelona), again at the World Championships, and again, on the platform. He recorded 107.1 for his last dive, which set a new record.
At the 2004 Centennial Summer Olympics, Alex won the silver medal in the men’s 3m springboard competition, but finished out of the medal standings in fourth place in the 10m platform. This result was contrary to expectations going into the games, where he was expected to win silver or gold in the 10m platform event and not place in the 3m springboard.
In front of his home crowd at the 2005 World Aquatic Championships in Montreal, he became World Champion on the 3m springboard. He won with a world record score of 813.60 points, his “worst” dive being rated an average 8.5. Despatie followed up on that performance by winning the 1m springboard, with a world record score of 489.69, winning FINA World Titles on both the springboard and platform.
Returning to Australia, this time for the 2007 World Aquatics Championships, Despatie went head to head with the best divers in the world, including the top-ranked Chinese diving team. Winning silver medals in the 3m event and the 3m synchro with partner Arturo Miranda, Despatie proved that he was one of the world’s best divers.
At the Beijing Olympics in 2008, he claimed a silver medal in the 3m springboard event and finished in 5th place in the 3m synchro event.
Despatie is the first, and so far only, diver to have been World Champion in all three individual categories (1, 3 and 10 m platform).
Come join Despatie and the rest of this year’s class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN) 2023
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111. Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
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 – $199 per night
~ TICKET INFORMATION ~
Friday, October 4, 2024: Includes:
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) Induction Ceremony
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and
The ISHOF Specialty Awards
Click here to purchase tickets: MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024: Includes
The 59th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Induction Ceremony
The Al Schoenfield Media Award and
The 2024 ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here to purchase tickets: INDUCTION
Virginie Dedieu (FRA) to be inducted as Honor Synchronized Artistic Swimmer in 2024
Virginie Dedieu is the most successful artistic swimmer from the country of France and one of the most impressive to ever come from the continent of Europe. Her combination of stunning artistry and technical excellence earned her three consecutive FINA World Championship solo titles (2003, 2005 and 2007). In 2005, while watching her free solo performance, the television commentator called Virginie the “perfect swimmer.”
Virginie was known for her unique moves based on her flexibility and her ability to move her body in ways never before thought of in artistic swimming. Her ability to command the attention of the crowd with her passion and choreographic excellence was beyond anything seen up to that time in artistic swimming.
Virginie is the only solo champion to come from a country that is NOT a powerhouse in artistic swimming. She stands out among other artistic solo champions. Most all solo champions is artistic swimming have had teams behind them that have scored medals in other events at the same World Championships. Virginie did not. She is unique not only because of this fact, but also because of her talent, and her influence as a choreographer. Virginie has worked extensively with Ona Carbonell, helping her achieve several medals in solo in World Championship and World Series meets.
Come join Dedieu and the rest of this year’s class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN) 2023
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111. Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
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 – $199 per night
~ TICKET INFORMATION ~
Friday, October 4, 2024: Includes:
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) Induction Ceremony
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and
The ISHOF Specialty Awards
Click here to purchase tickets: MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024: Includes
The 59th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Induction Ceremony
The Al Schoenfield Media Award and
The 2024 ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here to purchase tickets: INDUCTION
Get your Tickets NOW!!!! ISHOF’s 59th Annual Honoree Induction Weekend
The International Swimming Hall of Fame is proud to present the 59th annual Honoree Induction Weekend.
Tickets are now available for purchase. Come, be part of history and rub elbows with the greatest aquatic athletes in the world! You just never know who you might run into!
International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN) Honor Diver (2023)
Honor Synchronized/Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis “Denny” Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
2024 ISHOF Gold Medallion Award:
Alex Blavatnik (URS/USA)
Honor Masters Swimmers
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Glen Christiansen (SWE)
Clary Munns (AUS)
Tom Wolf (USA)
Honor Masters Diver
Tarja Liljeström (FIN)
Honor Masters Artistic Swimmer
Lizzi Jakobsen* (USA)
Honor Water Polo Player
Jose Luis Gomez (ESP)
Honor Contributor
Nadine Day (USA)
*deceased
2024 ISHOF Specialty Awards
Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Ian Hugh McAllister (GBR), Lost Olympics: The Hilda James Story
Every Child A Swimmer Award: Dominic Calabro (USA)
Virginia Hunt Newman Award: Sandra Rossi Madormo (BRA)
John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award: Rodna Metz Bordner (USA)
Al Schoenfield Media Award: Peter Diamond (USA)
(to be presented Sat. night)
2024 ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal
Competitive Swimming: Jay Thomas (USA)
Water Polo: Pedro and Cristiana Pinciroli (BRA)
Competitive Diving: Sheilagh Boudia (USA)
Synchronized Swimming: Sandra Roberts (CAN)
Aquatic Safety: Chris and Jenny McCuiston (USA)
Recreational Swimming: Beth Root (USA)
EVENT INFORMATION
TICKETS
Friday, October 4, 2024
(Masters MISHOF Honoree Induction, ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal and ISHOF Specialty Awards)
Click here for Tickets – MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024
ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies, Al Schoenfield Media Award, ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here for Tickets – INDUCTION
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111.
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $219 per night,
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 – $199 per night
If you have questions, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
ISHOF Honoree and Board Member Dara Torres Named Head Coach at Boston College
18 June 2024
Five-Time Olympian and four-time Olympic gold medalist Dara Torres has been named the head swimming and diving coach at Boston College.
In the midst of Olympic Trials taking place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Torres made the announcement on her personal social media.
“Hello from Olympic Trials! Boston College just announced that I’m joining the program as head swimming & diving coach. It’s been a busy day here. But I want to take a minute for something important. There’s a saying I love: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’ To my coaches, teammates, competitors, sponsors, teachers, advisors, business partners, professional colleagues, family and friends: Thank you. I’m here because you were there. I can’t wait to share my plan with you. Stay tuned-I’ll be in touch!! Thank you!!!”
In a statement from Boston College Torres further elaborated on what it means to be named the Head Coach of the Eagles.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Torres said. “I’ve learned from great coaches at every point in my career. This opportunity to share what I’ve learned, in and out of the pool, and pass along technique, confidence, and support as part of the Boston College Athletics Department is a dream. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”
Boston College Director of Athletics Blake James added: “We are thrilled to welcome Dara Torres as our new head swimming & diving coach.
“From the moment we met with Dara, it was evident that she was exactly the fit we were looking for to begin a fresh, new chapter of Boston College swimming & diving. Her record as a world-class competitor is historic and her ability to clearly articulate her vision as a coach and leader will allow our student-athletes to develop and excel in and out of the pool.”
Torres, a five-time Olympian, competed at the 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008 Olympic Games and became the first American woman to qualify for five Olympiads. Additionally in 2008 Torres became the oldest U.S. women to qualify for an Olympic Swimming Team.
Collegiately Torres swam at the University of Florida for Head Coach Randy Reese. During her time with the Gators Torres was a 28-time All-American and the 1988 SEC Female Athlete of the Year.
Torres is taking over an Eagle program that parted ways with former Head Coach Joe Brinkman in January following the suspension of the program as a whole due to hazing allegations.
USA’s Dana VOLLMER to be inducted as Honor Swimmer into ISHOF Class of 2024
American Dana Vollmer is a three-time Olympian, competing in 2004, 2012, and 2016, who specialized in the freestyle and the butterfly events. She is a five-time Olympic gold medalist and broke six world records.
At the age of 12, Vollmer was the youngest swimmer to compete at the 2000 Olympic Trials, however, she did not make the team. Four years later, Vollmer did make the 2004 Centennial Olympic Games in Athens, where she won her first Olympic gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the 800m freestyle relay, setting a new world record, breaking one which had stood for the previous 17 years. She just missed making the 2008 Olympic team, but that did not discourage her. At the London Games in 2012, Vollmer had qualified for the 100-meter butterfly and she walked away with her first individual Olympic gold medal of the Olympics, while also setting a new world record. In addition, she swam as a member of the 800m freestyle relay, where she and her teammates won gold, and then again in the 4 x 100 medley relay, where the USA women’s team again won the gold, breaking the world record, previously set by China in 2009.
17 months after giving birth to her first son, in March 2015, Vollmer was in top shape again and ready for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. She walked away from her third Games not only with a medal of each color: a gold in the 400m medley relay, a silver in the 400m freestyle relay and a bronze in the 100m butterfly, but as the only Mother in the sport of swimming to win a gold medal.
Vollmer won a total of 32 medals in major international competitions, including 19 gold, eight silver and five bronze medals. The events included the Olympic Games, the FINA World Championships, the Pan American Games, the Pan-Pac Championships, and the Goodwill Games, making her one of the most decorated Olympic female swimmers.
Come join Vollmer and the rest of this year’s class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN) 2023
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111. Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
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 – $199 per night
~ TICKET INFORMATION ~
Friday, October 4, 2024: Includes:
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) Induction Ceremony
The ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and
The ISHOF Specialty Awards
Click here to purchase tickets: MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024: Includes
The 59th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Induction Ceremony
The Al Schoenfield Media Award and
The 2024 ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here to purchase tickets: INDUCTION
MISHOF ~ Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame October Induction Information and Updates
MISHOF 2019 Induction Ceremony, St. Louis, MO, USAS convention (photo above)
The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) was proud to announce its prestigious Masters Class of 2023 back in March. This year ISHOF will be inducting the class of seven (7) honorees from five countries that were selected last year: three swimmers, one diver, one water polo player, one synchronized/artistic swimmer, and one contributor. The Masters (MISHOF) induction event will be held in conjunction with the ISHOF Honoree weekend, Saturday, October 4-5, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Today, we are proud to announce that five will be with us for the event, which will be held Friday, October 4, at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in conjunction with the ISHOF Aquatic Awards presented by AquaCal and the ISHOF Specialty Awards.
This year’s Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) honorees include:
HONOR SWIMMERS: Clary Munns (AUS), Glen Christiansen (SWE), and Tom Wolf (USA); HONOR DIVER: Tarja Liljestrom (FIN); HONOR SYNCHRONIZED (ARTISTIC) SWIMMER: Lizzi Jakobsen* (USA); HONOR WATER POLO: Jose Luis Martin Gomez (ESP); and HONOR CONTRIBUTOR: Nadine Day (USA) *deceased
The following Masters Honorees will be in attendance in Fort Lauderdale:
SWIMMERS:
TOM WOLF (USA)
Tom Wolf began swimming Masters in the 25-29 age group. He is currently swimming in the 65-69, meaning he has competed in eight different age groups. He has set 28 FINA Masters World Records competing in the backstroke and the I.M. events and has been in the world rankings since 1983.
Wolf has been in the Top Ten 16 times in his career. He previously swam for North Texas Masters and is currently swimming for Lone Star Masters in the USA.
Like Clary Munns, Wolf has not competed in any FINA Masters World Championships, accumulating all his 949 world points by breaking world records and setting world rankings.
GLEN CHRISTIANSEN (SWE)
Glen Christiansen is a former Swedish Olympic swimmer who competed in the 1980 Summer Olympics, where he finished 11th in the 200-meter breaststroke.
Since then, he has had continued success as a Masters swimmer and has pursued an international career as a swimming coach. He broke 24 world records between 1986 and 2009 and has competed in eight Masters World Championships (1986, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2010 and 2014), winning a total of 26 medals. He has been in the Top Ten a total of 32 times and has acquired a total of 908 world points.
He has been in the World Rankings in both the long and short course, with a total of 33, almost exclusively in the breaststroke events.
researcher for the University of Helsinki in Helsinki, Finland.
WATER POLO PLAYER:
JOSE LUIS MARTIN GOMEZ (ESP)
In 1998 Jose started playing for Real Canoe Masters of Madrid; a few years prior to that, he was playing in the regional league, as there was no Masters league. Jose imported the traveling spirit of his former club that he played in as a child, to Real Canoe and now the club makes two to three trips a year to any part of the world to play in Masters tournaments. He also organizes the Spanish Cup of Masters water polo every two years.
Jose has competed in eight FINA Masters World Championships between 2004 and 2017, earning one silver and two bronze in tournament play. In 2017 he won gold at the World Master Games; He has competed in six European Masters Championships, coming away with one gold, one silver and two bronze.
He has also competed in numerous international tournaments throughout Europe and Spain, as a member of the Real Canoe Team, between 2002-2017, earning ten gold medals, five silver medals and four bronze medals.
ARTISTIC SWIMMER:
LIZZI JAKOBSEN (USA)*
*deceased (Lizzi’s daughter, is coming to represent her)
Lizzi Jakobsen was one of the five original members of the team that became the Southern California Unsyncables. Inspired by the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, they decided to enter the Masters National Championships that year. Lizzie and her team competed in nationals again in 1986, ‘88, ‘90, and ‘91. With the FINA World Masters being held in Indianapolis in 1992, they planned to enter their first ever FINA World Masters Championships. With the help of Dawn Bean as coach, they were elated to come home with medals in four events including gold medals in the 50-59 age group team.
After their success in Indianapolis, the Unsyncables began competing in the FINA Masters World Championships. Lizzi attended a total of seven FINA Masters Championships winning a total of 15 medals: 12 gold, two silver and one bronze. Indianapolis (1992), Montreal (1994), Sheffield, England (1996), Munich (2000), Christchurch, New Zealand (2002), Riccione, Italy (2004), Stanford, California (2006), and Goteborg, Sweden (2010).
Unfortunately, Lizzi passed away last year before she learned of her induction.
CONTRIBUTOR:
NADINE DAY (USA) – Masters Swimming Contributor
Nadine Day has devoted the last 25 years of her life to Masters swimming. Her volunteer work began in 2001 when she became the Illinois Local Masters Swimming Committee (LMSC) Sanctions Chair. Attending her first USMS convention a year later, she soon joined several USMS committees, all the while continuing to take on more responsibility within her local MSC. Nadine served as her LMSC’s Vice Chair and subsequently its Chair in addition to balancing the demands of multiple USMS Committee assignments.
In 2005, Nadine was elected to the USMS Board of Directors for the first time. After serving two terms as the Great Lakes Director, she was elected Vice President of Community Services. In 2012, Nadine was elected President of United States Masters Swimming, where she served one term. During her 16 years as a leader on the USMS Board, Day was involved in numerous task forces and committees. In the late twenty-teens, Nadine was named the United States Aquatic Sports Convention Chairperson, which is no small undertaking. Day and her committee took it over flawlessly from a crew that had been running it for years and years.
Nadine continued serving in leadership positions on committees and international organizations, once off the USMS board. In Nadine’s own words: “To me it’s about giving back to a sport I love and encouraging other adults to love swimming—it’s about providing opportunities for others. Making sacrifices for others is easy when you want our sport to be successful”. Nadine’s contributions to USMS have touched countless lives and helped USMS to grow and evolve.
Nadine has received numerous awards through the years, showing her continued dedication to Masters swimming. She won the USMS Dorothy Donnelly Service Award; in 2015, USMS, gave her the Ted Haartz Staff Appreciation Award and in 2016, she received USMS’s highest honor, the Capt. Ransom J. Arthur M.D. Award. In 2018 Swimming World Magazine named her “One of the 10 Most Impactful People” in Swimming. And lastly, in 2020 United States Aquatic Sports presented Nadine with the Women in Swimming Award.
EVENT INFORMATION
TICKETS
Friday, October 4, 2024
(Masters MISHOF Honoree Induction, ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal and ISHOF Specialty Awards)
Click here for Tickets – MISHOF/AWARDS
Saturday, October 5, 2024
ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremonies, Al Schoenfield Media Award, ISHOF Gold Medallion Award
Click here for Tickets – INDUCTION
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here: https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111.
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
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 – $199 per night
If you have questions, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
Honorees who are not able to attend:
CLARY MUNNS (AUS)
78-year-old grandmother Clary Munns swims for the Blacktown City Masters Swimming Club.
As of her selection in early 2023, she had set eight long course and 25 short course FINA Masters world records in the backstroke, butterfly and I.M events, since 1988 with 13 world records in 2019 alone. Munns has not competed in any FINA Masters World Championships, accumulating all her 1297 world points by breaking world records, and setting world rankings. Since 1986, Clary has been in the Top Ten, 25 times.
Clary is a great ambassador for Blacktown City at the state, national and world levels, and is proof that age is no barrier to sporting success. In 2016 she was New South Wales Masters Athlete of the Year.
DIVER:
TARJA LILJESTROM (FIN)
Prior to her Masters career, Tarja Liljestrom was a competitor in the 1968 Olympic Games for Finland on both the 3M Springboard and 10M Platform.
Tarja has competed in nine FINA World Championships, and has won 24 medals: 10 Gold, 13 Silver, 1 Bronze. In addition, she has set three World Records, has competed in numerous European Masters competitions, and serves as a judge in the same competitions. She is currently competing in the 65-69 age group.
About MISHOF
The purpose of the MISHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness, and participation in adult aquatic programs. MISHOF recognizes the achievements of individuals who have participated in Masters programs through at least four different Masters age groups. Most must pre-qualify by an objective point system based on world records performances, world Top Ten rankings and World Championship performances. The MISHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It was first recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports, in 1968. ISHOF’s mission is to collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate history, showcase events, share cultures, increase participation in aquatic sports, while working toward making “Every child A Swimmer”.
For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
Passages: Brent Rutemiller, Former Swimming World Publisher, ISHOF CEO Dies After Multiple Cancer Battles
by DAN D’ADDONA — SWIMMING WORLD MANAGING EDITOR
17 June 2024, 07:53am
Former Swimming World Magazine Publisher and International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) CEO Brent Rutemiller has died after multiple bouts with cancer.
He died early June 17, 2024, surrounded by his family. His daughter Shoshanna posted in the Rutemiller’s Army Facebook page this morning.
“Hi all, Brent passed away peacefully last night with his loving wife by his side. He contracted a lung infection over the weekend and deteriorated quickly. We are so thankful he was not in pain and was able to visit with his children and grandchildren before passing. He was lucid and himself to the very end. He will be missed greatly.”
Rutemiller, the recipient of the ISHOF Lifetime Achievement Award, had battled several forms of cancer into remission.
It started with a 2021 diagnoses of a rare bone marrow cancer called plasma cell leukemia. He battled that into remission, but cancer returned in 2022 and he underwent a bone marrow transplant and stem cell boosts.
He served Swimming World Magazine in multiple roles for more than 30 years and has won several major awards over the years after a lifetime in and around the water.
Rutemiller swam at Eastern Kentucky University but his involvement in the sport really hit a new level as a coach. He was a Level 5 certified coach by the American Swimming Coaches Association and coached teams in Indiana and Kentucky. He then was a coached with the Mission Viejo Nadadores, the Phoenix Swim Club and Scottsdale Aquatic Club, leading several swimmers to state championships and All-American honors.
Rutemiller also made huge contributions to the Special Olympics and coached several athletes at the games over the years.
He created Aquazoids, an animated educational series that has been printed in more than 150 countries, including Swimming World, where he first joined the team.
Brent Rutemiller joined Swimming World full time in 1985 as head of advertising and continued to grow in leadership until he was the magazine’s publisher.
Since taking the helm at Swimming World, he grew the product to a daily online source of news in addition to the monthly print magazine. He started The Morning Swim Show, an online TV series in a podcast format well ahead of its time.
USA Swimming once recognized Rutemiller as one of the 30 most-influential figures in the sport and the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association presented Brent Rutemiller with its Collegiate Award in 2023.
Even throughout his battles with cancer, he was in the water. He swam for himself, and for others, helping raise money for cancer research with Swim Across America, along with his supporters, dubbed “Rutemiller’s Army.
“I want to thank everyone for all of their support over the years. Leading the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Swimming World was a privilege as well as a responsibility that I took very,” Brent Rutemiller wrote when he retired. “I believe that to truly win in life, you must first help someone else win. That is what philanthropy and running a non-profit corporation is all about. I think my inner drive to be ethical and credible has rung true through the years.”
Indeed it has, and it has guided Swimming World, the ISHOF and the entire sport of swimming into its rise that continues to ascend.
Help put ISHOF on City of Fort Lauderdale’s Monopoly Board!
(Photos shared from City Commissioner Steve Glassman’s Facebook Page)
On Tuesday, June 11, City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis joined ISHOF Board Member, Vice Mayor Steve Glassman & Mr. Monopoly to announce that Monopoly is working on a Ft. Lauderdale version!
Screenshot
The company is encouraging email submissions for local landmarks that they believe should be featured on the board. What could be more iconic than the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) – the Swimming and Diving Capital of the World?!?
And WE NEED YOUR HELP to get ISHOF on the map! Literally! We need YOU to help by voting to INCLUDE ISHOF on the Fort Lauderdale version of the Monopoly game. All you have to do is copy and paste the statement below and email it to:
copy and paste the statement below, provide your name and email to fortlauderdale@toptrumps.com
I vote for the legendary and now reimagined International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) to be included in the new Fort Lauderdale MONOPOLY edition because we are the Swimming and Diving Capital of the World and a cornerstone of our community’s history and development for over 65 years.
Thank you for considering this iconic landmark and famous peninsula.
(Your name)
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Thank you and please share with others to send in their recommendations too!
Your friends at ISHOF ~
Lilli Allucci to be inducted as first female Italian Water Polo Player in ISHOF’s Class of 2024
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci will be the first Italian female water polo player inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. She will join a host of male Italian greats, including Cesare Rubini, Gianni Lonzi, Mario Majoni, Sandro Campagna and others.
Allucci competed at the 2004 Olympic Games as the captain of the Italian team that won the gold medal, only her second Olympics, as a member of the Italian water polo team. The Italian team won five consecutive matches after losing 6-5 in the first match against the defending champions, Australia. In the final, they beat Greece 10-9 after extra time, in front of 12,000 fans cheering for the home team.
Lilli has two World Championship titles (2001, 1998) and one silver medal (2003). She has four European Championship titles (2003, 1999, 1997, 1995), along with a silver medal (2001) and a bronze (1991). She is the second most titled player at the European Championships, only behind Netherlands player, Hedda Verndon. In FINA World Cup competition, Allucci took silver in 1993, and bronze in 1999, and in FINA World League competition, she won silver in 2006 and bronze in 2004. She has won seven consecutive Italian titles with team Volturno (1985-1991).
Allucci was awarded the Knights of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in 2003 and the Commander of the Order of the Merit of the Italian Republic, both at the initiative of the President of the Republic. At the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, she was given the ultimate honor, by being asked to represent her country and carry the Italian flag at the Opening and Closing ceremonies.
Come join Lilli Alucci and the rest of this year’s class of 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, please consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
Honor Swimmers:
Lars Frölander (SWE)
Daniel Gyurta (HUN)
Dana Vollmer (USA)
1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Gold Medal Relay Team (USA)
(Includes Shirley Babashoff, Wendy Boglioli, Kim Peyton*, Jill Sterkel)
Honor Divers:
Alexandre Despatie (CAN)
Yulia Pakhalina (RUS)
Wu Minxia (CHN)
Honor Artistic Swimmer:
Virginie Dedieu (FRA)
Honor Water Polo Players:
Carmela “Lilli” Allucci (ITA)
Vladimir Akimov* (USSR)
Honor Coach:
Dennis Pursley (USA)
Honor Contributor:
Dale Neuburger (USA)
ISHOF 59th Annual Honoree Induction weekend
October 4-5, 2024 – Complete schedule will be forthcoming soon.
~ HOTEL INFORMATION ~
Host Hotel: Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort & Spa
To make reservations click here:
https://book.passkey.com/e/50757008
321 North Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 467-1111.
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $229 per night,
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 – $199 per night
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND TICKETS.