Jack Bauerle Retiring After 44 Seasons as Georgia Head Coach; Versfeld and Williams Moreno to head programs
by DAVID RIEDER 08 June 2022,
Jack Bauerle Retiring After 44 Seasons as Georgia Head Coach
Since 1978, Jack Bauerle has led the women’s swimming program at the University of Georgia, and he added head coaching duties for the men’s team in 1983. Now, the 70-year-old Bauerle will be stepping down.
He announced his retirement Tuesday. “It’s time for me, for my family, and for my team,” Bauerle said in a statement released by the team.
During his run with the Bulldogs, Bauerle led the Georgia women to 12 SEC team titles and seven national championships, the most recent coming in 2016. That final title tied Bauerle with Richard Quick with a record seven women’s national titles at one school.
Additionally, Bauerle was the head coach for the U.S. Olympic women’s team at the 2008 Games in Beijing, an assistant on the women’s staff in 2000 and an assistant on the men’s staff in 2016 and 2020. He served as part of the combined staff in 2021 and as a personal coach in 2004 and 2012. Bauerle was also the head women’s coach for three World Championship teams (2003, 2005 and 2011).
In Bauerle’s stead step Neil Versfeld to lead the men’s program and Stefanie Williams Moreno to head the women’s squad. Diving head coach Chris Colwill will remain, working with both programs.
Bauerle’s full statement on his retirement is posted below:
First, I want to thank my wife Leigh Ann, and my sons John, Magill and Duke for their commitment and sacrifice over the years. Leigh Ann has not only been a huge source of support, but my greatest motivator. The sport of swimming runs year-round and can be all-consuming at times, but they have constantly been understanding and supportive.Thank you to our president Jere Morehead, our athletic director Josh Brooks, and our sport facilitator Darrice Griffin for their support. President Morehead and Darrice have been critical in helping us navigate these past few years, and with Josh, one of my few regrets is that I only wish we had more time to work together. I also want to share my gratitude to Vince Dooley and Liz Murphey for taking a chance on me in 1979 and entrusting me with this program. Working for and knowing Coach Dooley has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life, and I cherish our friendship.Thank you to the student-athletes for everything they have given me over the years. They have truly motivated me as much I have motivated them. During my time, we have had the privilege of coaching 87 Olympians from 20 different nations, bringing home 40 medals in the process. Last year in Tokyo was another major success for our program. In addition to our Olympic success, 62 different athletes have won 175 NCAA championships, with hundreds of All-America honors. I have had so many great kids, and I miss so many of them every day.But our accomplishments have not only come in the water, but in the classroom as well. Over 43 seasons, our program has produced three NCAA Woman of the Year winners and 39 NCAA postgraduate scholarship recipients, more than most athletic departments across the country. Those statistics are the ones that I am proudest of.Thank you to the coaches I have had the pleasure of working with over all these years. I will miss the conversation, humor, and banter on the deck at 5:30 a.m. We definitely solved a lot of problems before the world woke up every morning, and I am grateful for their dedication and assistance. I especially want to thank Harvey Humphries for serving at my side for 39 years. I am excited to see the coaching careers of my athletes unfold, both here at Georgia and throughout the swimming world.Additionally, special thanks to the colleagues and mentors who have helped me become a better coach during my career. I specifically want to thank Bob Bowman, Frank Busch, Eddie Reese, Dick Shoulberg, and Jon Urbanchek for their friendship and guidance.Finally, thank you to the countless members of our support staff who have given their time and talents toward making our program the best one possible. In particular, I want to thank the employees of the Ramsey Center for maintaining a world-class facility for our athletes and our university.I am not yet sure of what I am going to be doing immediately, but I’ll be doing something. When I left Philadelphia for Athens in 1970, I fell in love with Georgia, but I could have never predicted the good fortune I would encounter and the wonderful people I would meet. I will miss being on the deck every day, but I am forever proud of everything we have accomplished at the University of Georgia.
A half-century career in Athens
Prior to becoming head coach of the Bulldogs, Bauerle was an assistant coach for the Georgia women for three years after he swam for Georgia from 1971 until 1974 as a butterfly and freestyle specialist.
According to Bauerle’s profile on the University of Georgia’s website, he helped lead 62 different swimmers to 175 national championships at Georgia, and his teams finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships on 48 occasions. The Georgia women finished in the top five in 21 of 22 seasons between 1995 and 2017, and the team won 103 consecutive dual meets from Nov. 8, 1995 through Jan. 5, 2017. The Texas women, led by former Georgia assistant Carol Capitani, broke that streak on Jan. 14, 2017.
His women’s teams won 342 dual meets, one of only two coaches (with former Boston College coach Tom Groden) to eclipse 300. Including men’s meets, he was 595-134-4 all-time in dual meets.
Bauerle mentored 304 student-athletes earning 2,116 All-America citations. He was an 18-time SEC Coach of the Year (16 with the women, two with the men men) and seven times the National Women’s Coach of the Year.
Most recently, Bauerle was part of the U.S. Olympic team coaching staff last season after he coached Chase Kalisz, Jay Litherland, Nic Fink, Andrew Wilson, Olivia Smoliga and Natalie Hinds to spots in Tokyo. Additionally, Olympians Allison Schmitt, Hali Flickinger and Gunnar Bentz all qualified for the team after racing collegiately for the Bulldogs and spending a large chunk of their career in Athens. This year, another Georgia-trained athlete made the jump to the sport’s elite level as Luca Urlando won the 200 fly at the U.S. International Team Trials. In all, he mentored 87 Olympians for 20 different nations that won 15 gold and 38 total medals.
“It is a bittersweet moment in Georgia Athletics history. Jack has been the foundation of unparalleled success of our men’s and women’s swimming and diving program for a half a century,” Director of Athletics Josh Brooks said in a team statement. “While we will miss him on the pool deck, we know that Jack will always be a part of our athletics family, and I look forward to working with him in different capacities as an involved alumnus. We wish him the very best in this next phase of his life.”
“I have had the great honor of working with Jack Bauerle since 1999, when I led the UGA Honors Program and so many of Jack’s student-athletes were Honors Students and Foundation Fellows,” University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said. “Jack is an iconic figure at UGA and within the global swimming community, having won multiple national championships while coaching and mentoring many All-Americans and NCAA post-graduate scholars. His coaching record at Georgia and in the Olympics is unmatched in our athletic history and, on behalf of the entire University of Georgia community, I thank him for his profound contributions to our institution.”
Moving forward
The university announced it would “make some organizational changes” in dividing leadership of the programs.
Photo Courtesy: Georgia Athletics
Neil Versfeld has spent he last three seasons as an associate head coach. A 2009 graduate of Georgia, he won a national title as a senior, setting an NCAA record in the 200 breaststroke. He competed internationally for South Africa, including at the 2008 Olympics, before a professional career. Versfeld coached at Seal Swimming Club in South Africa, Swim Atlanta and Georgia Tech as an assistant before returning to Athens.
“I am humbled and honored to be named the head coach of the Georgia Men’s Swimming and Diving team,” Versfeld said. “I am incredibly grateful to Jere Morehead, Josh Brooks, and Darrice Griffin for this opportunity, and to Jack Bauerle for his mentorship and leadership over the past two decades. I could not be more excited to build upon Jack’s legacy in this next chapter.”
Stefanie Williams Moreno is likewise an alum who has spent the last 10 years in Athens, including four as an associate head coach. Her work has been primarily with the backstroke and middle-distance groups.
She competed for Georgia from 1998-02, winning the program’s first three NCAA titles and becoming a 28-time All-America. She won four NCAA titles in relays, two in American records, and was inducted to the University of Georgia Circle of Honor in 2017. Williams Moreno spent three years as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri and four at Ohio State before returning to Athens in 2012.
“I could not be more honored and humbled by this new endeavor. I want to thank Jere Morehead, Josh Brooks, Darrice Griffin, and Jack Bauerle for their confidence in me to lead this remarkable program,” Williams Moreno said. “As both an athlete and coach, the University of Georgia and its athletic department have significantly impacted who I am today. I am excited for the opportunity and challenge of continuing the proud tradition of Georgia Women’s Swimming and Diving established under Jack Bauerle.”
Georgia Athletics is planning a celebration of Bauerle’s career at a date to be determined in the fall of 2022.
Australian Butterflier, Jon Sieben to be Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as Part of Class of 2022
by MEG KELLER-MARVIN June 15, 2022
Aussie Jon Sieben set the world record with a blistering 1:57.04 in the 200m butterfly, winning the event in Los Angeles, in the major upset of the 1984 Olympic Games. He surprised everyone and beat Michael Gross of Germany. The record stood for 11 months until Gross regained it in 1985. Sieben continued swimming through two more Olympic cycles, 1988, Seoul and 1992 Barcelona.
Jon Sieben on the podium during the 1984 Olympics Photo Courtesy: Jon Sieben
When his career ended, he walked away with 16 Long Course National Championships, 11 Open National Championships and numerous other championship medals.
Swimming as an NCAA swimmer, he competed for the University of Alabama under ISHOF Honor Coach, Don Gambril, who took him to the NCAA National Championships. There, he won silver in the 200m butterfly and bronze in the 100-meter butterfly.
Jon Sieben after winning gold in the 200-meter butterfly Photo Courtesy: Jon Sieben
Although swimming competitively for Gambril, Laurie Lawrence was always Sieben’s coach while competing at the Olympic Games, under the Australian flag.
More about Jon Sieben:
With Sieben competing in three Olympic Games, it was the first time an Aussie swimmer had done so since Dawn Fraser had participated in three Olympic Games in 1956, 1960 and 1964.
Not only was Sieben an Olympic caliber swimmer, but in 2005 and 2009, he competed for Australia in the Universiade Games in the sport of water polo and in 2009, the team took home gold.
Come join Sieben and this year’s class of 2022 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame 2022 Honorees
Craig Beardsley (USA) – Swimming
Natalie Coughlin (USA) – Swimming
Marilyn Bell (CAN) – Open Water Swimming
Michael Klim (AUS) – Swimming
Jon Sieben (AUS) – Swimming
Daichi Suzuki (JPN)– Swimming
Matthew Mitcham (AUS) – Diving
Ursula Carlile (AUS) – Coach
Peter Huerzeler (SUI) – ISHOF Contributor
Mirko Vicevic (YUG/MON) Water Polo
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
Doris Steadman (USA) Masters Swimmer
Dr. Jane Katz (USA) Masters Contributor
Edith Bohm (GER) Masters Swimmer
Olga Kokorina (RUS) Masters Swimmer
Shigehisha Sekikawa (JPN) Masters Swimmer
Birte Hohlstein (GER) Masters Artistic Swimming
Guenther Wolf (GER) Masters Water Polo
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Official 57th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm VIP Reception6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction 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, BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733 Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 15, 2022 Last Day to Book: Friday, September 30, 2022
Brent Rutemiller Announces Retirement As ISHOF CEO and Swimming World Magazine Publisher
by JOHN LOHN – EDITOR-IN-CHIEF15 June 2022
Brent Rutemiller Announces Retirement As ISHOF CEO and Swimming World Magazine Publisher
After five years as the CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and more than 30 years in multiple roles with Swimming World Magazine, most recently as publisher, Brent Rutemiller has announced his retirement. Rutemiller’s decision comes on the heels of a courageous battle with cancer, which is in early remission, and his tenure can only be measured as highly successful.
Rutemiller has served as the CEO of ISHOF since 2017, during which time he guided the organization from financial struggles to profitability. More, Rutemiller’s leadership was the driving force behind the new ISHOF facilities which have been, and will be, constructed. While new outdoor venues have been completed, ISHOF’s new museum buildings are slated to open in 2024, offering the public the opportunity to celebrate the wonderful history of aquatic sports.
Prior to assuming his ISHOF role, Rutemiller occupied several positions with Swimming World, most notably serving as publisher of the magazine and its website starting in 2002.
“Brent’s retirement marks the end of a much needed transitional chapter in ISHOF’s journey and yet another incredible mark for Brent on the world of aquatics,” said Steve Hasty, the Vice Chairman of the ISHOF Board. “We wish him well on his next journey.”
In the days ahead, a deeper look at Rutemiller’s impact will be published on the Swimming World website. For now, though, here is the letter he drafted to his staff announcing his retirement. What better words to run than those of the man who did so much during his career, and whose impact will long be appreciated.
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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 seriously. 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.
In 2017, I committed to a five-year plan to lead ISHOF. At the time, ISHOF had just ended its relationship with Fort Lauderdale, Florida and was put on a 30-day month to month lease.
The aquatic center’s grandstand was condemned, leaving the center with very few events. The museum had roof leaks and air conditioning issues. Financially, ISHOF was in disarray after reporting a loss of $153,087 in net assets the year before.
Many of my friends thought I was crazy to take on such a huge challenge to turn ISHOF around.
The first couple of years were tough as we suffered through Covid-19 and a loss of sponsorships and advertisers. The loss of revenue from the museum being shut down and events canceled was unexpected.
However, through it all, I am happy to report that ISHOF is more stable now with a 30-year city lease and a $277,000 profit last year. We have a new aquatic center and the first high diving tower of its kind in the world. Our relationship with Mayor Dean Trantalis and City Manager Chris Lagerbloom is strong. We have the support of the city commissioners, especially Steven Glassman who represents ISHOF’s district and sits on ISHOF’s Board of Directors. It is important to note that a lot of our success with the city came from Laura Voet, Aquatic Complex Manager, who was always there to help us maneuver through city hall.
It is with great pride that I can say that we successfully merged Swimming World Magazine and its multi-media platforms with ISHOF. Combining financials was difficult but the result gave ISHOF a long-needed, powerful world-wide marketing vehicle.
But more importantly, we brought a renewed mission and vision to the aquatic community. Nothing embodies that energy more than the new iconic buildings that are set to come online in 2024. The project is under the leadership of Mario Caprini, developer, financier and ISHOF Board Member.
There were key individuals along the way who made an incredible impact on ISHOF’s resurgence. Laurie Marchwinski was instrumental in running our operations. Without Laurie, we would not have been nearly as successful. She has been with the museum for more than 40 years, starting when she was 17. Marcia Meiners plowed through the financials each month, merging two corporations into one statement. It was an impossible task that many would not have agreed to tackle. Lauren Serowik successfully took on the herculean task of converting all of Swimming World subscribers to ISHOF members and maintained our databases while overseeing our swimshop and sales. Meg Keller Marvin gave me tremendous insight into the vast relationships that ISHOF has with people throughout the world. Alyssa Lovitt reconnected us with the Fort Lauderdale Community – an important relationship that was missing for years. I must recognize all the part-time employees who worked on passion and reduced salaries to digitize, catalog, and pack all ISHOF memorabilia, especially Todd Eller. It is with deep gratitude that I thank Bruce Wigo for staying on to mentor me and remain as our historian. And hats off to Bill Kent, our Board Chairman for believing that nothing is insurmountable.
On the Swimming World side, my relationships go deeper, having been with Swimming World in some capacity since 1985. (I started as an educational cartoon writer for $100 a month). Bob Ingram, long-time Senior Editor since the early 1970s, made me look good as I rose to become the Publisher. Joe Johnson did incredible work as our graphic designer to migrate Swimming World from a print publication into a digital asset allowing us to expand our offering to readers and advertisers. John Lohn, our Editor-In-Chief, and his staff of writers brought credibility to the written word, keeping Swimming World close to its roots as the most credible source of information in aquatics. Kyle Mills, as our Chief Technology Officer and Ashleigh Shay as our News and Advertising Manager, brought us perspectives from the next generation. A big thank you to Steve West for agreeing to become an ISHOF Board member while donating his time as a software engineer to help integrate Swimming World and ISHOF’s digital assets. Steve taught me a lot about the digital landscape over the years, starting with launching SwimInfo.com back in 1997. It was the first website in the world dedicated to aquatic news and eventually morphed into SwimmingWorld.com. Thank you, Steve.
A humble thank you to the ISHOF Board of Directors for supporting me through many uncertain times. I have known Steve Hasty, Aaron Peirsol, Sandra Bucha, Tod Spieker and Dale Neuburger for many years and was proud that they served on my board. I will always value their friendship and advice. All the other board members have earned my respect and I hope that our paths will cross someday soon.
I am very proud of my tenure as CEO of ISHOF. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to lead the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Swimming World. However, it is time for new leadership.
My commitment was for five years and to that I must stay true. I have given my best and it is time for me to give back to my two disabled sons and my wonderful wife, Ellen, who has been by my side, supporting me at every turn. I love the aquatic family of which I have been a part of, at some level, all my life.
I’m sure I will surface again in some body of water, but for now I leave ISHOF and Swimming World in good hands.
Thank you for all your support and remember, if you want to win, first help someone else win!
Sincerely,
Brent Rutemiller
Japanese Swimmer Daichi Suzuki To Be Inducted Into International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2022 – Updated
Daichi Suzuki stunned the world when he beat the USA’s David Berkoff at the 1988 Olympic Games in the 100-meter backstroke.
Daichi Suzuki after he beat David Berkoff in the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
While Hall of Famer, David Berkoff is widely credited with “inventing” swimming backstroke underwater with a dolphin kick, the origin of the technique is far from clear. The first record of swimming in this manner in competition credits Hall of Famer Jesse Vassallo with being the first. Perhaps independently, Daichi Suzuki of Japan developed the skill and, as a 17-year-old, became the first to swim 25 meters underwater at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. At about the same time, David Berkoff started experimenting with what became known as “the Berkoff Blastoff” in the USA.
Daichi Suzuki at the start position for the 100-meter backstroke during the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
Fast forward to the preliminaries of the 1988 Olympic Games, Berkoff and Suzuki went head-to-head, with Berkoff staying five more meters underwater on the first lap than his opponent and winning by over a body length in world record time.
Daichi Suzuki launching into the 100-meter backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
In the finals, it was a different story. Berkoff surfaced at 40 meters with a half-body lead over Suzuki. Suzuki caught up and out-touched Berkoff for the gold medal, in what was considered the major upset of the Games. Suzuki retired immediately after the Seoul Olympics and has continued to be active at nearly all levels of the sport.
Daichi Suzuki with his gold medal on the podium at the 1988 Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
Daichi Suzuki waving to the crowd after receiving his gold medal Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
More About Daichi Suzuki
Upon retirement, Suzuki became the varsity coach at Juntendo University. He also sat on the board of Japan’s Anti-Doping Agency, as well as serving on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Committee. He eventually was selected as President of the Japan Swimming Federation, and more recently was named to head Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Daichi Suzuki at the 1988 Seoul Olympics Photo Courtesy: Daichi Suzuki
Come join Suzuki and this year’s class of 2022 in Ft. Lauderdale. If you cannot join us, consider making a donation.
To make a donation, click here: https://ishof.org/donate/
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame 2022 Honorees
Craig Beardsley (USA) – Swimming
Natalie Coughlin (USA) – Swimming
Marilyn Bell (CAN) – Open Water Swimming
Michael Klim (AUS) – Swimming
Jon Sieben (AUS) – Swimming
Daichi Suzuki (JPN)– Swimming
Matthew Mitcham (AUS) – Diving
Ursula Carlile (AUS) – Coach
Peter Huerzeler (SUI) – ISHOF Contributor
Mirko Vicevic (YUG/MON) Water Polo
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
Doris Steadman (USA) Masters Swimmer
Dr. Jane Katz (USA) Masters Contributor
Edith Bohm (GER) Masters Swimmer
Olga Kokorina (RUS) Masters Swimmer
Shigehisha Sekikawa (JPN) Masters Swimmer
Birte Hohlstein (GER) Masters Artistic Swimming
Guenther Wolf (GER) Masters Water Polo
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Official 57th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm VIP Reception6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction 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, BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733 Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 15, 2022 Last Day to Book: Friday, September 30, 2022
Become a Member of One in A Thousand today ~ and receive a thank you call from an ISHOF swimming superstar!
One in a Thousand – June Special
Watch and Listen to Mark Spitz, Janet Evans, Dara Torres, Vladimir Salnikov, Brenda Villa, Greg Louganis, Anthony Ervin, Elvira Khasyanova, Jason Lezak, and Rowdy Gaines. Become a supporter of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and become One In A Thousand!
Become part of the Gang! Join Rowdy, Janet, Jason, Greg, Dara, Mark and become One in A Thousand today!
If ISHOF can get 25 NEW members of One in A Thousand, in the month of June, we, will have a raffle and select one of those new members to receive a phone call from one of their favorite swimming superstars and ISHOF Honorees!
All you have to do is: Join ISHOF’s One in A Thousand Campaign (You must be a NEW MEMBER) Monthly or one-time donation accepted! If 25 people join from June 1 through June 30, 2022, we will host a raffle on July 1, we will select and arrange one of those 25+ individuals to receive a phone call from one of our Honoree and or swimming superstars thanking you for joining and supporting ISHOF! Click the link below
Swiss Timing Board Member, Peter Hürzeler to be Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as Honor Contributor in 2022
Peter Hürzeler is the master of Swiss timekeeping technology – Swiss Timing. Since 1969, his organizational and creative skills have successfully delivered innovation, technology and timekeeping to Swimming. Throughout the decades, Hürzeler and his colleagues have invented and created many innovations in the Aquatic disciplines and other sports as well. What he has done in sports and technology in Swimming no one else has ever achieved.
Peter Hürzeler in Manchester in 2008
Since 1970, Hürzeler has spent 3,708 days on the road, engaged in sports timekeeping. This includes 17 editions of the Olympic Games, 36 Continental Games, a total of 19 swimming World Championships, 23 European Championships and over 300 athletics meetings.
Peter Hürzeler with Olympic Champion Michael Phelps
More about Swiss Timing:
Swiss Timing is the world leader for the provision of integrated services and technology solutions to the sports industry. The range of services Swiss Timing provides goes from Timekeeping, Data Handling which includes analytics tools, the display of results at the venues and the distribution of these to the World’s media as well as various Broadcast services. Swiss Timing also provides games management systems, with setting up all the Accreditation, Registration and Sport Entries Sub Systems.
Peter Hürzeler with Lenny Krayzelburg at the 2000 Sydney Games
Swiss Timing provided its services in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the name of Omega which were the Watch Brand’s 27th Olympic Games as Official Timekeeper and Hürzeler’s 17th Games, where he was overseeing timekeeping, data handling and broadcast services for Swimming.
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame 2022 Honorees
Craig Beardsley (USA) – Swimming
Natalie Coughlin (USA) – Swimming
Marilyn Bell (CAN) – Open Water Swimming
Michael Klim (AUS) – Swimming
Jon Sieben (AUS) – Swimming
Daichi Suzuki (JPN)– Swimming
Matthew Mitcham (AUS) – Diving
Ursula Carlile (AUS) – Coach
Peter Huerzeler (SUI) – ISHOF Contributor
Mirko Vicevic (YUG/MON) Water Polo
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
Doris Steadman (USA) Masters Swimmer
Dr. Jane Katz (USA) Masters Contributor
Edith Bohm (GER) Masters Swimmer
Olga Kokorina (RUS) Masters Swimmer
Shigehisha Sekikawa (JPN) Masters Swimmer
Birte Hohlstein (GER) Masters Artistic Swimming
Guenther Wolf (GER) Masters Water Polo
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Official 57th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm VIP Reception6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction 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, BOOK YOUR ROOM HERE
($39 Resort fee – Guests can opt out if not interested in resort amenities)
Additional Hotel Option: Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733 Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $189 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 15, 2022 Last Day to Book: Friday, September 30, 2022
ISHOF Honor Diver, Sylvie Bernier is One in A Thousand
Sylvie Bernier, ISHOF Honor Diver, and Canadian Olympic gold medalist is One in A Thousand. Her first trip to ISHOF/Fort Lauderdale was in 1981, as a member of the Canadian National Diving Team. Since then, she has been a friend, honoree, and supporter of ISHOF, but most recently, she became a member of ISHOF’s One in A Thousand program.
I recently spoke to Sylvie, who said reminisced on her time in South Florida.
“When I think of Fort Lauderdale, I can visualize myself on the 3-meter springboard getting ready to dive at the USA Hall of Fame international competition. Every May, from 1981 to 1984, I was excited to go to Fort Lauderdale, especially after a long winter in Québec, Canada! I loved the feeling of diving outdoors and seeing my friends from around the world at this beautiful pool. What a privilege it was!” Sylvie said.
“In 1996, I was honored to be the first Canadian diver, to be inducted into the Swimming Hall of Fame among aquatic athletes that I admired for years. Almost 40 years later my retirement, I am still dedicated to promoting a healthy way of living and the water safety of all children. I am the ambassador in Québec of the Swim to survive program. Our goal is that every child learns the minimum skills needed to survive an unexpected fall into deep water.”
It seems as though Sylvie’s philosophy as an ambassador of Swim to Survive fits right in with ISHOF’s Every Child a Swimmer!
Sylvie Bernier made history by becoming the first Quebecoise athlete to win gold at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, as well as the first—and, to date, the only—Canadian gold medalist in diving.
Sylvie returned to the Olympic Games in a volunteer role as assistant and chef de mission for the Canadian delegation in 2006, 2008, and 2012. The entire Canadian team applauded her leadership for inspiring the world’s top athletes to achieve their best.
This Olympian has a rich and varied resumé beyond sports. She retired from competition after her achievement in 1984 and took up new challenges. For more than 35 years, Sylvie has delivered her messages about healthy eating, active lifestyles the importance of mental health on radio and television shows, in addition to speaking with decision-makers.
In 2011, she obtained a master’s degree from McGill University, taking part in their International Masters for Health Leadership program. She also holds a degree in business administration. Sylvie uses these skills in speaking engagements across Canada.
Since 2012, Sylvie has chaired two advisory tables: the Table sur le mode de vie physiquement actif (TMVPA) and the Table québécoise sur la saine alimentation (TQSA).
Sylvie is a recipient of the Orders of Quebec and Canada. She was also inducted into the International Aquatic Sports Hall of Fame, the first Canadian to receive this honor in diving.
In April 2019, Sylvie published a book and a documentary, both entitled The Day I Could Not Dive, which addressed the drowning of her nephew Raphaël. This outlet enabled Sylvie to take the next step in her mission: raising awareness and preventing drownings among children. She is the honorary spokesperson of the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive program. Her dream is to see all children in Quebec introduced to swimming.
A mother to three daughters and a new grandmother, Sylvie Bernier is an inspiration for the generation that saw her dive for gold. She is dedicated to ensuring that the next generation grows up educated and healthy.
A huge thank you to Sylvie for being a part of ISHOF, and this year, for becoming “One in A Thousand”.
Won’t you join Sylvie and become a member of the One in a Thousand Club by helping ISHOF on a monthly or one-time basis.
$10 Monthly Commitment$25 Monthly Commitment$50 Monthly CommitmentMake a One-Time Commitment
For larger corporate sponsorships and estate-planning donations, please contact us at customerservice@ishof.org.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame wants to know if you are one in a thousand? We think you are! Show how special you are and become a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s “One In A Thousand” Club. Help keep the International Swimming Hall of Fame moving forward toward a new vision and museum by joining now!
During these unprecedented times, the ISHOF Board is calling on every member in the aquatic community to make a small monthly commitment of support to show how special you are and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
“Our goal is simple. If we get 1,000 people to simply commit $10, $25 or $50 per month, we will generate enough revenue to go beyond this Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis.” – Bill Kent – Chairman of the ISHOF Board
“Those that believe in our vision, mission, and goals can join us in taking ISHOF into the future and be a part of aquatic history.” – Brent Rutemiller – CEO and President of ISHOF
Since 1965, ISHOF has been the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. ISHOF’s vision for the future is to build a new museum and expand its reach by offering its museum artifacts digitally through a redesigned website.
The ISHOF Board of Directors is calling on all members of the aquatics community to make a small monthly commitment to show their dedication to aquatics and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) Induction Ceremony ~ a smashing success in beautiful Naples, Italy ~ Saturday, May 26, 2022
This year, after a two-year delay of in person ceremonies, the Marathon (IMSHOF) Induction Ceremony weekend was finally held, and in the city that has a rich history of open water swimming: Naples, Italy. The Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli (Capri-Napoli Marathon) is a 36 km (22 miles) professional marathon swim from Capri to Napoli, in southern Italy. It is one of the longest running professional marathon swimming competitions in the world which began in 1954 and starts on the Isle of Capri and finishes 36 km later on Marina Grande Beach in Napoli on the mainland of Italy. The race was set in motion, after Aldo Fioravanti and Cesare Alfieri first swam the race in 1949 in a time of 12 hours. The Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli is now part of the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix circuit and is annually one of world’s Top 100 Island Swims named by the World Open Water Swimming Association. It is one of the longest running professional marathon swimming competitions in the world.
The Maratone del Golfo Capri-Napoli was selected as the 2021 World Open Water Swimming Event of the Year by a global poll.
The weekend was full of activities. The group enjoyed a tour of Pompei; a prison island swim escape; the induction ceremony with 100 attendees; a 1 mile and 5 km public race; and lots of ad-hoc gatherings for other walks, meals, drinks and laughs!
For the past decade, IMSHOF has made steady progress to be truly an international organization: six of the last eight ceremonies held outside of the USA; local language translations for the website and ceremony booklet biographies; the six Executive Committee member spread across the globe with half speaking English as a second language; Honoree ZOOM interviews in local language (with English translations); Honorees from six new countries; and in Naples our first experience with a language translator on stage.
The IMSHOF Class of 2022 includes:
Dr. Caroline Block (USA) Honor Swimmer
Rachele Bruni (ITA) Honor Swimmer
Georges Michel (FRA) Honor Swimmer
Evan Morrison (USA) Honor Administrator
Sharon van Rouwendaal (HOL) Honor Swimmer
Serpentine Swimming Club (GBR) Honor Organization
Ferry Weertman (NED) Honor Swimmer
Alick Wickman (SOL) Honor Coach
Beth Yudovin (USA) Honor Administrator
The Irving Davids/Captain Roger W. Wheeler Memorial Award: Elizabeth Fry (USA)
The Poseidon Award: Shelley Taylor Smith (AUS)
The IMSHOF Dale Petranech Award: Steven Munatones (USA)
To read the IMSHOF Induction ceremony booklet, click here: https://www.imshof.org/class-of-2022-italy?fbclid=IwAR37jC9_r6WVbwOugr56ae83xrzN1rIWhH2vweZJCGoR0gYDQBwTiuM6vv4
Many thanks to Honor Administrator Luciano Cotena and Honor Organization Capri-Napoli for hosting us all so well in Naples – one of the historic homes of marathon swimming! See the names of the Honorees and Executive Committee attendees on Notes and Ceremony Attendees | IMSHOF. See the booklet (a few final edits are still ongoing – so speak up if you spot any typos, please) and ceremony weekend pictures on Class of 2022 Italy | IMSHOF. The final video is still weeks away -and we’ll notify you in the next newsletter.
And we look forward to seeing you in the fabulous New York City (another great Marathon swimming city!) for next year’s IMSHOF Induction Ceremony, May 6, 2023, so mark your calendars now!!!
2022 ISHOF Specialty Awards to be presented during its Honoree Induction weekend, October 14-15, 2022
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) has announced the recipients of the ISHOF specialty awards. The ISHOF specialty awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s awards will be presented on Friday evening, October 14th, in conjunction with the Paragon Awards and the 57th Annual ISHOF Honoree Induction weekend, October 14-15, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Get ticket information now or call 570 594-4367.
This year’s ISHOF Specialty Award Recipients:
Michael Loynd – 2022 Buck Dawson Author Award: The Watermen: The Birth of American Swimming and One Young Man’s Fight to Capture Olympic Gold
Jordan Whitney-Wei — 2021 Buck Dawson Author Award: Katharine Whitney Curtis – Mother of Synchronized Swimming
Russell Weaver—ISHOF Service Award
James S. O’Connor —Judge G. Harold Martin Award
Patricia Cirigliano—Virginia Hunt Newman Award
Julia Meno—John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award Sponsored by S.R. Smith
Wayne Goldsmith—Al Schoenfield Media Award
Mike Loynd – 2022 Buck Dawson Authors Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2022 Buck Dawson Author’s Award is Michael Loynd for his book, The Watermen: The Birth of American Swimming and One Young Man’s Fight to Capture Olympic Gold. This award is presented by ISHOF in the name of William “Buck” Dawson, ISHOF’s founding Executive Director, to an author of work that promotes and educates people about aquatics.
Mike Loynd is chairman of the St. Louis Olympic Committee, a representative on the International Olympic Committee’s World Union of Olympic Cities, a member of the International Society of Olympic Historians, and a sports attorney and lecturer. He is the author of All Things Irish: A Novel, and now, The Waterman: The Birth of American Swimming and One Young Man’s Fight to Capture Olympic Gold, the story of ISHOF Honoree, Charlie Daniels. Loynd lives in St. Louis with his family.
Jordan Whitney Wei — 2021 Buck Dawson Author Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2021 Buck Dawson Author’s Award is Jordan Whitney-Wei for his book, Katharine Whitney Curtis – The Mother of Synchronized Swimming. This award is presented by ISHOF in the name of William “Buck” Dawson, ISHOF’s founding Executive Director, to an author of work that promotes and educates people about aquatics
Jordan Whitney-Wei is the great-grandnephew of Katharine Whitney Curtis. His book, Katharine Whitney Curtis – Mother of Synchronized Swimming was released on February 25, 2020. His previous writing and research focused on philosophy and poetry, but this time, it focuses on family, synchronized swimming and his “Aunt Kate,” a woman ahead of her time. This is Whitney-Wei’s third book and his first award. Katharine “Kay” Curtis was the originator of synchronized swimming, as we know it today. She also wrote a book about it in 1936. Though there was much more to her life and career. Unbound by fear, or the narrow expectations of society, she was a woman who lived ahead of her time making things happen along the way. Curtis was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979. The book will be available on Amazon for purchase.
About Buck Dawson: Dawson was a veteran of WWII who served as assistant and publicist for Generals Gavin and Ridgeway in the 82nd Airborne. From the time he was chosen to lead ISHOF in 1962, until his death in 2008, Buck traveled the world armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books, and bumper stickers. He was always spreading the word, and always willing to talk and teach swimming and swimming history to anyone who would listen. He wrote hundreds of articles and was the author of eight books, ranging in subjects from bathing beauties to war, but especially swimming.
Russell Weaver — 2022 International Swimming Hall of Fame Service Award
The Staff of the International Swimming Hall of Fame are pleased to announce that Russell Weaver will receive the 2022 ISHOF Service Award. The ISHOF Service Award is given to an individual who has selflessly volunteered their time, energy, and/or resources to advance the interests and work of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Russell Weaver has easily given over 25 years of his time, connections, and resources to ISHOF. He is extensively involved with business networks throughout South Florida. When he attends these meetings and events, he always has in his mind, “Can this help ISHOF in any way?” As president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Sisters Cities International and co-chair of Tower Club Internationals, Weaver works closely together with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Broward County, and the City of Fort Lauderdale. He helps to promote Broward County’s business and cultural highlights to the Miami based Consulates and binational chamber of commerce organizations. During these international monthly meetings, new business and government relationships are established, highlighting Fort Lauderdale and Broward County as a world class destination. As always, Weaver remembers ISHOF and always gives us the opportunity to showcase our Honorees at some of these events and educate the international local community and others, about what our museum has to offer.
James S. O’Connor — 2022 Judge G. Harold Martin Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2022 Judge G. Harold Martin Award is James (Jim) O’Connor. The G. Harold Martin Award is presented to someone for their long and exceptional leadership, insight, and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making “Every Child A Swimmer”.
Jim O’Connor has more than 40 years-experience as an aquatic professional and is committed to the prevention of aquatic accidents and teaching children to swim. O’Connor is the Aquatics Program Manager for Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Open Spaces Department, the third largest parks and recreation department in the United States and the largest municipal learn to swim provider in the state.
Mr. O’Connor has held numerous aquatic positions, served on the “Advisory Council” of the “National Drowning Prevention Alliance,” has been an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, Aquatics Coordinator for the American Red Cross Greater Miami and Keys Chapter, and was the Aquatic Director and Head Swim Coach at the University of Oregon.
About G. Harold Martin: Back in 1908, G. Harold Martin almost drowned in the Ohio River. Over the next two decades he almost drowned two more times. From these experiences evolved a mission to make “Every Child A Swimmer.” His civic involvement led to the building of Fort Lauderdale’s first municipal pool in 1927. Kiwanian sponsored free swim lessons at the pool, and eventually influenced the decision by ISHOF to be located in Fort Lauderdale. An active Kiwanian his entire adult life, he was instrumental in making the Key Club an integral club within Kiwanis International and the adoption of Every Child A Swimmer as a Kiwanian project.
Patricia Cirigliano — 2022 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Patricia Cirigliano will be the 2022 recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award.
Dr. Patricia Cirigliano started the first Argentine swimming school for babies in 1960. The school was centered around her holistic method, Matronatacion®, which is a creative and original approach to aquatic initiation for babies that involves human integrity and respect for the child and the family. To present, 17,000 babies, toddlers and young children beginning at 15 days old have learned to swim and have enjoyed the Matronatacion® method at Cirigliano’s school, whose motto is “Swimming is learnt by playing.” They are at the very core of learning. The Method’s distinctive characteristics are freedom, game, active mother role, intelligent learning according to a child’s maturity development without conditioned response, and didactical use of toys and materials.
Dr. Cirigliano is member of a great number of associations such as: International Physical Education Federation and Panathlon Club in Buenos Aires and the National Swimming Schools Association in U.S.A. Since 1991, she has been an active member of the Argentine Pediatrics Association.
Julia Meno — 2022 John K. Williams, Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award
The Adapted Aquatics Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Julia Meno will receive the 2022 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award. The annual award, honoring individuals or organizations who have made significant and substantial contributions to the field of adaptive aquatics, is presented by S.R. Smith, a world-leading manufacturer of commercial and residential swimming pool deck equipment headquartered in Canby, Oregon.
Julia Meno, CTRS, ATRIC, CMT, is the founder and owner of Therapeutic Aquatics, LLC. and is an internationally known presenter and instructor on aquatic therapy and wellness. Julia has a profound love and respect for the power of water as a healing instrument. Individuals can learn the freedom of movement that they may not have been able to achieve otherwise, thus opening up an aquatic world for opportunities to grow, socialize and exercise.
She founded Therapeutic Aquatics, Inc. in 1996 and began providing aquatic therapy services in Jackson, WY. Julia also worked closely with the Jackson school district’s Adaptive PE Program, L.I.F.E. grants, and Wyoming Medicaid Children’s Waiver which all provided a platform to create Pediatric AquaHab© for children with challenges. She also became a Certified Massage Therapist, which complimented her aquatic training. Thus far in her career, she has studied and authored An Introduction to the Bad Ragaz Ring Method: A Visual Instructional Guide (1999). Julia Co-authored: PNF in the Pool (2004), Myofascial Aquatic Body Work DVD (2006), the Pediatric Aquatic Therapy Certificate Course (2010) and the AquaStretch™ Specialty Certificate Manual 1st ed. (2013).
Julia has worked as a Dementia Care Coordinator and as an instructor for Motivations, Inc., providing continuing education teaching in Pediatric AquaHab©. She is currently a presenter and faculty for the Aquatic Therapy & Rehab Institute, Inc. She was the recipient of the ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award in 2002 and the Aquatic Therapy Professional Award in 2014 for her innovations and contributions in education to the aquatic therapy industry. Today she continues to provide individual and group aquatic therapy as well as wellness classes in addition to individual aquatic therapy sessions.
Wayne Goldsmith — 2022 Al Schoenfield Media Award
The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2022 Al Schoenfield Media Award will be Wayne Goldsmith for outstanding contributions to the promotion of aquatic sports through journalism. This award is presented by ISHOF in memory of Al Schoenfield.
Wayne Goldsmith has been a thought-provoking leader and influencer in the swim industry for more than 25 years. As a regular contributor to Swimming World Magazine, his “Goldmind” articles discuss goal setting, visualization, and team building concepts. He has worked directly with many of the world’s leading coaches, athletes, teams and sporting organizations in over 30 different countries. Wayne is a recognized global expert in coaching, coach education, and coach development for peak performance. His lessons in leadership, team development, change acceleration and continuous improvement provide swim coaches with quality, credible, engaging information via articles, videos, podcasts, seminars, clinics, and talks.
Al Schoenfield was the Editor and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine (1960-1977) and served on various international committees of swimming, including the FINA Technical Swimming Committee (1980-1984). Schoenfield’s life was a commitment to swimming and he participated in its administrative structure and spread its stories through his magazines and promotions. Al died in 2005, but his legacy will forever endure to all who have benefited from his lifetime of service to swimming.
Additional Awards During 57th Annual Hall of Fame Honoree Weekend
2022 Paragon Awards
“For more than 20 years now, Pentair has been honored to be associated with the International Swimming Hall of Fame in recognizing leaders in the aquatic industry who play a prominent role in the promotion of aquatics with the Paragon Awards”, said JimDrozdowski, Institutional Aquatics Sales Manager for Pentair Aquatic Systems.
“The annual Paragon Awards is a spectacular event that celebrates the unsung heroes who make competitive and recreational aquatics possible. These are the people who save lives, promote water safety, and further aquatic education around the world. We are so proud to recognize these important people at the International Swimming Hall of Fame through the sponsorship of Pentair every year,” said ISHOF President/CEO Brent Rutemiller.
2022 Paragon Award Recipients:
Competitive Swimming: Ellaine Cox
Water Polo: Al Beaird
Competitive Diving: Julie Alhering
Synchronized Swimming: Margaret MacLennan
Aquatic Safety: Arturo Abraldes, Ph.D.
Recreational Swimming: Kent Williams, PPOA
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) museum opened its doors to the public in December of 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That same year, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) – the governing body for Olympic aquatic sports – designated the ISHOF museum as the “Official Repository for Aquatic History”. In 2018, Sports Publications Inc, publisher of Swimming World Magazine and its multi-media platforms, merged with ISHOF to expand the museum’s reach and impact. Today, ISHOF’s vision is to be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. Show your support for the sport of swimming by becoming a member of ISHOF.
Book Review: “The Watermen”, ISHOF’s 2022 Buck Dawson Author’s Award Winner….
by: Bruce Wigo
Sportswriters and historians are constantly on a quest to rediscover a hero or event, forgotten by time, whose story could be immortalized in a book or on film. And once or twice in a decade, one of these stories captures the imagination of the public and becomes a runaway best seller, like Laura Hildebrand’s “Unbroken”, Daniel Brown’s “Boys in the Boat” or Julie Checkoway’s “Three-year Swim Club.” Add “The Watermen,” by Michael Loynd, to this illustrious list. By profession, Michael Loynd is neither a sportswriter, nor a university trained historian. He also wasn’t looking to write a book when he took his wife and four kids to Europe for a family vacation in 2013, but it was that vacation that would indirectly (and serendipitously) lead him to the story of “The Watermen.” What Michael Loynd is, is a lawyer, philanthropist, community board activist and a big dreamer who tells an incredibly well-researched story in a wonderfully-entertaining and enlightening manner that will keep you turning the pages and wanting more.
It was while passing through some small Swiss towns in the Alps, that had only hosted an Olympic event — not necessarily the entire Games — that Mike Loynd noticed they all proudly displayed the Olympic rings, and he wondered why his home town of St. Louis – which had hosted the first American Olympics didn’t do the same.
When Loynd returned home, he teamed up with the St. Louis Sports Commission to lobby the I.O.C. for the rights to the Rings and establish an Olympic Legacy program. And five years later, thanks largely to Mike Loynd, the Rings returned to St. Louis, in 2018 -114 years after the city had hosted the III Olympiad in 1904.
It was while researching his Olympic City Legacy Project that Loynd stumbled across the name of Charles M. Daniels for the first time. He was “stunned” that he had never heard of Daniels before then. For Daniels had not only won America’s first individual Olympic gold medals in swimming in St. Louis (in 1904) but his record of winning eight Olympic medals (1904, 1906 & 1908) stood for more than six decades, until iMark Spitz took his total to nine in 1972. What Loynd found even more amazing was that there had never been a biography written about Charley Daniels, and the role he played in the early history of Olympic and American competitive swimming.
For most of the nineteenth century, swimming had been “synonymous with indecency, the uncouth, and the poorest and dirtiest of society,” writes Loynd. But by the time Charley Daniels was born, in 1885, swimming had become synonymous with the privileged elite, those who could afford to learn in unpolluted private natatoriums, afford membership in exclusive athletic clubs or the expense of vacationing at the seaside resorts of Newport, Long Branch and Cape May.
It was into this world of financial and social privilege that Charles Daniels was born. His illustrious grandfather and namesake had been a congressman and served as a New York Supreme Court Justice for 28 years. His mother was a descendent of Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster and her father was the owner of Buffalo, New York’s most successful dry goods store. His parents, Tom Daniels and Alice Meldrum, grew up in mansions a short distance from each other on Buffalo’s Millionaire Row. When they married in 1884, it was the most anticipated social event of the year in Buffalo. Among the Who’s Who of guests were Judge Charles Folger, a distant cousin of Benjamin Franklin, the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, William Waldorf Astor, one of America’s richest men, and the Governor of New York and next President of the United States, Grover Cleveland. But while Charley Daniels might have been born with the proverbial silver-spoon in his mouth, that didn’t mean he was free from having to overcome enormous personal challenges growing up.
His father, Tom Daniels, turned out to be a self-absorbed, narcissistic womanizer who squandered not only his own inheritance but most of his wife’s, on luxuries and failed business schemes. One day, Tom took the family to the beach where he spent the time showing off he athletic and aquatic talents. When Charley expressed interest in learning to swim, Tom took him to a natatorium. Without any instruction, Tom pushed his son into the deep water – with the mandate to “Swim!” Not surprisingly, Charley sank and almost drowned. After that failure, Tom wasted no opportunity to shame or embarrass the boy in public. Before Tom could do any more damage to Charley, Alice kicked Tom out of their rented apartment in New York City.
Divorce is commonplace today, but in 1900 it was socially unacceptable – and even scandalous, especially for women. For their own survival, Alice and Charley had to maintain the public facade of an intact family as long as they could. But Tom was living openly with another woman and then got caught in an investment swindle that made him as notorious as Bernie Madoff. Alice had no choice but to take the nuclear option to protect what was left of her dignity and inheritance.
As a single mother, Alice struggled to free Charley from the crippling anxiety, depression and sense of worthlessness that was overwhelming his life. She took him to private swim lessons, where a competent instructor helped him overcome the trauma of his near drowning experience. Charley was also small for his age and physically weak. American’s newest hero, Teddy Roosevelt, had overcome anxiety and physical weakness in his youth by “strenuous activity in the great outdoors.” So Alice took Charley to a lodge in upstate New York where he received his first introduction to woodmansship: camping, canoeing, hunting, hiking and shooting.
Returning to the city, Charley found a new father figure in Dr. Phillip Seixas, the athletic director of his high school. “Doc” Seixas was graduate of Columbia University, a medial doctor and an all-around athlete who counted Teddy Roosevelt as a friend and admirer. Like he did for all the boys at the school, “Doc” tried to find a sport Charley could enjoy and excel at. He tried running and high-jumping, baseball, the new sport of basketball and gymnastics, all to no avail. “Doc” also ran a summer camp that fostered scouting and woodsmanship. While Charley truly loved the outdoors and became an expert woodman, what he wanted to do most was prove to himself he could become as good a swimmer as he father – and someday, win his fathers respect. One of the rituals at the camp was was to start each day with a swim and “Doc” helped Charley develop a respectable stroke. If Charley was to have any chance to become a real “swimmer,” “Doc” knew the boy would have join one of the elite athletic clubs. But as the son of Tom Daniels, he also knew that Charley would never be socially accepted as a regular member at any of the important clubs. but there was a back door – as an athletic member – if he could just overcome his anxieties and pass a tryout.
To help him gain a psychological insight into Daniels and coaches who helped mold him, both psychologically and physically, into the greatest swimmer the world had ever known, Loynd interviewed mental health experts about anxiety and researched the era’s knowledge of and approaches to mental health. He also interviewed Olympic gold-medal swimmers, including John Naber, Debbie Meyer, Rowdy Gaines, and Matt Biondi about the emotional roller coaster athletes go through when competing on the world’s biggest stage. The Watermen is not just a book for swimming enthusiasts like myself – it is for anyone who enjoys a good underdog story. But it is also the entertaining story of an era, when America rose to become an international economic powerhouse and when swimming had an incredible, albeit under-appreciated impact on American culture, from the way people dressed in public to women’s rights, and to a modern concept of how people spend their leisure time. And Loynd is a master at using his extensive background research and knowledge to bring Daniels, and the era in which he lived back to life – as only someone totally committed and passionate about his subject can do. For his efforts, I give Mike Loynd a gold medal for literature and I think you will too.