ISHOF Paragon Awards
presented by Pentair
The Annual Paragon Awards are presented for outstanding contributions to: Competitive Swimming, Water Polo, Competitive Diving, Aquatic Safety, Synchronized Swimming and Recreational Swimming.
About Pentair Aquatic Systems: Pentair Aquatic Systems is a world-wide leader in the manufacture of residential and commercial swimming pool equipment including PARAGON™ Competitive Starting Platforms, which have been the leader in innovation, design and quality for over 50 years. Pentair is a proud sponsor of the ISHOF “Paragon Awards” since 1996.
Kent Williams
2022
Kent G. Williams is a longtime advocate of swimming. He is a past competitive swimmer, swim coach and American Red Cross swim instructor, pool industry educator, writer, consultant and pool operator education advocate.
After graduating college with an engineering degree, Kent served our country for several years as a jet pilot in the United States Air Force. He then worked as a research diver and industrial-waste-water contractor.
We were fortunate to have Kent return to the aquatic community in 1974, where he worked for many years for Stranco, the company that placed automatic pool water chemistry controllers on the map. He continued to help develop the automatic pool water treatment industry progress. He developed one of the first public pool operator training courses (Stranco Public Pool Operator Course) and was a contributing editor in their publications.
Kent then worked with the National Swimming Pool Institute developing pool standards and several state health codes. He helped write some of the first pool industry training manuals and taught early operator training courses. Kent’s passion and expertise was well known throughout the industry, and he taught many Certified Pool Operator’s (CPO) courses for the National Swimming Pool Foundation.
The National Recreation and Park Association solicited Kent to help develop the original Aquatic Facility Operator Course (AFO) and he wrote the very first Aquatic Facility Operators manual and several subsequent editions. Kent taught countless AFO courses in addition to training many AFO instructors. He was involved in certifying literally several thousand pool operators, pool managers and many county health officials in pool operation.
Recognizing the need for additional and continuing pool operator education, Kent founded, and was the CEO of the Professional Pool Operators of America, publishing dozens of “Pump Room Press” periodicals updating operators of new technology and publishing many credible and interesting pool industry articles. Kent was often pursued for his legal opinions on pool operation.
Kent was a co-author of the Advanced Pool Operator manual and course which is still taught almost every year at the World Waterpark Association’s international conference.
Kent’s passion and dedication to the safe and efficient operation of swimming pools became internationally known. No individual has ever influenced the development of swimming pool operator training more than Kent. Throughout his work, he always drove home the concept that even with all of the fancy, micro-processor, automatic, chemical and pool controllers in use, nothing can replace a trained CPO or AFO operator.
He now resides on top of a hill in Newcastle, California, enjoying the wonderful view with his lovely wife Margie, when he is not playing with his extensive antique bottle and music collection.
J. Arturo Abraldes, PhD
2022
Dr. Arturo Abraldes is an example of a person that successfully mixes theory and practice in water safety, both nationaly and internationally. He has served in the field of lifesaving as an academic, author, researcher, lifeguard, instructor, sport coach, journal editor and conference facilitator for the last 25 years.
His qualifications are both academic and vocational. He received a Master’s degree in Physical Education, Sport and Health Education and a PhD in Physical Education with a thesis on lifesaving. He holds 14 certifications in swimming, lifesaving, first aid, lifeguarding, instructor, coach, referee, and national assessor from seven organizations (Spanish Lifesaving Federation, Galicia Lifesaving Federation, Rescue 3 International, Spanish Association Emergency, Spanish Swimming Federation, Spanish Lifesaving Referee Committee and Spanish Association Club Lifesaving), having practiced all these subjects.
Like his studies, work has always been related to lifesaving professionally. After working for many years as a lifeguard and then sport lifesaving coach, he was instrumental in the formation of sports lifesaving of the Lifesaving Federation of Galicia, as the Secretary, Manager and Vice President at different times. He also acts as a board member of the Lifesaving Federation of Galicia and Spanish Association of Lifesaving Clubs.
In terms of academic work, he works as a teacher and researcher at the University of Murcia (Spain). His main interests are based on all aspects of lifesaving. Since 2008, he has been the Chairman of “FEGUI Journal on Lifesaving and First Aid”, the only national journal on this subject. Arturo has acted as the organizer of six national and international conferences on lifeguarding that were endorsed by many prestigious professional organizations and academic institutions.
With over 180 publications, Arturo is one of the most prolific water safety authors in the world. He has co-authored over 20 lifesaving related books, numerous educational DVDs, and has been a speaker at national and international conferences. For his contributions to the field of water safety he has been honored several times as well both locally and nationally. He has created websites dedicated to the sport of lifesaving and swimming and most of his publications can be accessed online at www.abraldes.org.
Al Beaird
2022
Al Beaird was the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation’s executive director for 24 years, from December 1997-June 2021. Beaird’s position was established as a result of the federation’s continued growth and emerging tradition of NCAA and national championship caliber play in Division I-Olympic sports.
MPSF teams won over 80 NCAA Championships during his tenure, including a perfect 20-for-20 in women’s water polo and a perfect 29-for-29 in men’s water polo.
Beaird, who formerly served on the athletics staff at his alma mater, UC Davis, had overseen the administration of all federation sports. He worked closely with administrators and coaches from more than 50 different universities over the course of his administration including numerous coaches, officials and athletes who competed with USA National and Olympic teams.
He presided over the transition of the Federation from what was initially a scheduling alliance to what is now nationally recognized as one of the most successful NCAA Division I Olympic sports conferences.
In 2004, Beaird completed a four-year term, three years as chair, on the NCAA Men’s Water Polo Championships Committee and one year as chair of the inaugural NCAA Men’s and Women’s Water Polo Rules Committee. He was also a finalist for the USA Water Polo CEO position in 2006.
Beaird had also been called upon to serve as liaison to the national governing bodies for amateur athletics in the United States and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Beaird received his baccalaureate degree in Physical Education from UC Davis followed by an MBA from California State University, Sacramento. After a stint in television advertising and as a stockbroker, he embarked on a career in intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater before joining the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
At UC Davis, he was Director of Youth and Community Programs where he oversaw sports camps, including water polo. There he co-founded an award-winning NCAA sponsored National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) which was instrumental in teaching over 2,000 under-served youth the fundamentals of swimming as a lifetime sport.
Actively involved with sports in his local community, Beaird founded golf tournaments supporting school and sports organizations, served on the board of the Vacaville Police Athletic League and other non-profits, and as chair of the Woodland Parks and Recreation Commission. He also coached youth softball, basketball and soccer at the club level and co-founded the Woodland Dynamix Volleyball Club.
In his retirement, he still serves as a consultant to the MPSF.
Margarett MacLennan
2022
Marg MacLennan has done it all – athlete, coach, judge, and administrator. Marg etched her place in FINA history when she became the first woman to serve on the FINA Bureau from 1988-1996, breaking that “glass ceiling”.
She began her synchro journey in Vancouver, Canada swimming for several Synchronized Swim Clubs (1959-1965). Her highest achievement was placing second in the duet event at the Canadian National Championships. Marg moved from the pool to the deck, founding and coaching several synchronized swimming clubs (1960-1973).
As an administrator, Marg served as Treasurer of Synchro Canada (1970-1973), Vice President of Synchro Canada (1973-1974), and President of Synchro Canada (1974-1978). During her tenure as president, Canada hosted an international conference, in Ottawa, with participants from all over the world in 1974. Marg also served as Director of the Aquatics Federation of Canada (1975-1983).
Marg has officiated at the highest levels. She was a judge at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, 1984, Seoul, 1988, Barcelona 1992, and she was Technical Delegate in Atlanta at the 1996 Games. On the World Championship level, Marg acted in many different roles, beginning with official. She began in Belgrade, 1973, Cali, 1975, West Berlin, 1978, and as an advisor in Guayaquil in 1982, Madrid, 1986, Salerno, 1991, Bureau Liaison, Roma, 1994. On the Pan American level, Marg officiated in Mexico City, 1975, San Juan, 1979, Caracas, 1983, Indianapolis, 1987. In 1991, she served as ASUA Executive Liaison in Havana, Cuba.
An international leader, Marg served as Chair of the ASUA Technical Synchronized Swimming (1979-1983). Marg was on the FINA Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee (TSSC) (1980-1988), and served as Honorary Secretary of the TSSC (1980-1984). Marg served on the FINA Bureau for eight years, and in 1992, was named Bureau Liaison to the TSSC. During Marg’s tenure as Chair, ASUA TSSC the first ASUA Age Group Championships were held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Marg was a clinician in Cuba in 1975, on the coaching and judging aspects of synchronized swimming. In 1986, Marg authored the “Conduct of International Synchro Championships, Olympic Games, and FINA Events”. In 1978, Marg represented Canada at the workshop to develop an International Synchronized Swimming Judges’ Training Manual, in Squaw Valley.
Marg has received numerous honors for her service to synchronized swimming. In 1999, she was presented the Synchro Canada Bridge Builder Award, a special recognition award given to a person who works today in order that those who follow tomorrow will find safety, strength and success in the sport of synchronized swimming, who demonstrates vision and flexibility for the future, as well as respect for Synchro Canada’s rich past. In 1980, she received the Synchro Canada Distinguished Service Award, and in 1998, the Canadian Herstorical Breakthrough Award.
Marg has a son Doug, a daughter Ann and a grandson Logan.
Julie Alhering
2022
Julie Ahlering grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Miami Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. At the U, she was a 4-time All-American Diver and Scholar Athlete, coached by Tom Gompf and Steve McFarland. She was a finalist in over 25 National Diving Events including the Olympic Diving Trials.
After college she returned to St. Louis and raised four sons. But diving was not at all forgotten. She was asked to become a FINA Certified Diving Judge to help provide needed expertise in the sport. In 2010 she became FINA certified and immediately became known as one of the best diving officials in the United States. She judged 10 NCAA, ACC, and PAC-12 Championships as well as three Olympic Diving Trials.
Soon, Julie Ahlering became among the most respected international Diving judges in the world. She judged two FINA World Cups, two FINA World Championships, two Commonwealth Games and served as the Olympic Judge from the United States in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Julie’s love for diving and her dedication to judging found a partner in arms with former Paragon winner, Cokey Huffman (2016). Together they, and other like-minded colleagues, established the United States Diving Judge Education and Certification Program. Today it is one of the top programs of its kind in the world. Julie Ahlering’s contribution to the sport of diving and her commitment to fair play will continue to live on through this program and her example of giving back to the sport she loves!
Ellaine Cox
2022
Ellaine Cox, like many swimming parents, began her swimming journey as a taxi driver for her daughter to and from swim practices, then as a spectator at swim meets.
Graduating from timer to stroke and turn judge was a logical step. Officiating at local and then state and zone events, Ellaine was helpful and welcomed.
Representing the Michiana Marlins swim club from South Bend, Indiana Ellaine was soon invited to attend monthly board meetings of Indiana Swimming often held in Indianapolis. Over the years she would assume responsibilities as the Age Group Chairman and then the Administrative Vice Chairman of Indiana Swimming and serve as a member of the Board of Directors. Not long after, she was invited to and attended USA Swimming national championship events, committee meetings and the annual United States Aquatic Sports convention.
As a representative of Indiana Swimming, Ellaine served on the USA Swimming Site Selection and Facilities Committee for a number of years. Her enthusiasm and diligent work was noticed by others including Carol Zaleski, one of the few women making waves as a member of the USA Swimming Board of Directors. In 1986, Zaleski, a future USA Swimming President, asked Ellaine if she would consider chairing the Awards Committee for USA Swimming.
This role would be just one of the volunteer responsibilities that Ellaine took on in an extremely dedicated way. She would attend most National Championships and the US Olympic Trials, overseeing the recognition of athletes at these key events. Collaborating with a variety of different committee members during her 34 year tenure, one of the most important responsibilities was the nomination of and selection of the USA Swimming Award recipient which was presented on an annual basis.
In 1998, Ellaine’s organizational skills were put to the test when she was appointed as the Convention Coordinator for the United States Aquatic Sports (USAS) annual convention. Ellaine was able to persuade the most amazing group of volunteers to join her in this effort including Bob and Helen Brown, Margaret Donofrio, Deb Turner, Penny Taylor, Paul and Mary Beth Windrath and Gay Wright. “This was the best bunch of brains and talents one could ask for,” said Cox.
In 1999 they were responsible for our first USAS convention in Burlingame, California. They established a strong relationship with Hyatt Hotels enabling the committee to keep the hotel rates well under prevailing rates, so that the delegations of volunteers from all the aquatic sports would attend with regularity.
Under Ellaine’s leadership the USAS Convention committee organized the annual meetings for each of the aquatic disciplines. Sport leaders were able to focus on the priorities of their respective organizations while the USAS convention committee managed the logistics in a very efficient way. More than one million dollars in resources were made available to USAS to support the athletes and the national governing bodies attending the FINA World Championships.
Ellaine was presented with a USA Swimming Lifetime Membership by Indiana Swimming in 2002, honoring her years of exceptional work and selfless service.
Ellaine was presented with the USA Swimming Award in 2014, a surprise to her even as she oversaw the selection process for so many deserving recipients for more than 30 years. The USA Swimming Award is regarded as the organization’s highest honor in the sport of swimming and is only presented to the individual or organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of swimming. Ellaine Cox was and continues to be a most deserving recipient.
Dave Burgering (USA)
2021
Dave Burgering was the 2008 USA Olympic Diving Coach in Beijing, China. On his path to the Olympics, he coached over 1173 junior national finalists, and 51 senior national finalists including 30 gold medalists at the junior nationals and 11 senior national gold medalists. He has been a member of the USA Diving Coaching staff for Grand Prix and World Series events and also the 2017 Junior Pan Am Games.
Dave is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.S. degree in Education. He began his coaching career with the Mission Viejo Nadadores in Southern California, where his team won two junior national championships back-to-back (1988 and 1989). He followed his former coach, Ron O’Brien, to South Florida, to the newly built Mission Bay Aquatic Center, where he coached their Junior National Makos team to the championship title, making it his third straight junior national diving title.
Unfortunately, Mission Bay was short lived and the facility soon closed. Burgering was hired by Coral Springs Aquatics, where he spent the next 13 years. In 2007, he became the Director and Head Coach for the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team at the world-famous Swimming Hall of Fame Pool in the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, where he still coaches today.
His long history with diving dates back to his start in 1967. He was selected an All-American in 1972, while attending Lansing Sexton High School and attended Michigan State University the next four years. Dave was Big Ten Conference champion in 1976 and 1977 on the 1- and 3-meter springboard and in 1990 was inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame. He made the 1980 Olympic team, which the USA boycotted. Dave was the 1983 Pan America Bronze medalist, a two-time All-American and a member of the U.S. National Team from 1972- 1984.
Today, Burgering’s coaching prowess continues. His Fort Lauderdale Diving Team has had a Junior National Champion for the past five out of six years (pre-covid) and has placed higher than any other team in the state four out of the past five years (pre-covid).
Dave Burgering became active with the USA Diving Board of Directors in his younger days as an athlete representative. He climbed to the top in 2002, when he was elected president of United States Diving and served a two year term.
Betty Hazle (USA)
2021
Betty Hazle has done it all – athlete, coach, judge and sport administrator. Betty began her synchro journey as a member of the Garland Garlettes, Houston Corkettes, and San Antonio Cygnets. She served as an Athlete Representative from 1977-1980. Between 1978 and 1995, Betty gave back to the sport by coaching with the Walnut Creek Aquanuts, Irvine Meraquas and the Santa Clara Aquamaids. She was subsequently a member of the USA National Team coaching staff between 1989-1991 and 1994-1995.
As an administrator, Betty has served the Pacific Association in various positions, including as its technical chair, secretary and administrative chair. USA Synchro has benefited greatly from Betty’s extraordinary attention to detail and administrative skills. She has chaired both the rules, governance and international relations committees. Betty served on USA Synchro’s Board of Directors as Technical Vice Chair, Administrative Vice Chair and as the organization’s president. She has served as editor for the USA Synchro Rule Book for the past 20 years. Betty has served United States Aquatic Sports as Assistant Chef de Mission and Chef de Mission for the FINA World Championships for 14 years (2003-2017).
In 1982, Betty became a national judge and was certified as a FINA judge in 2001. She organized FINA Judges Schools in 2010 and 2014 and judged at the 2020 Olympic Games. Betty has chaired the UANA TASC Judges’ Subcommittee since 2015. She is currently serving as the UANA TASC Honorary Secretary.
Betty served as Administrative Support Coordinator for Synchronized Swimming, VII FINA World Cup (1995). In 1996, she served as the Secretariat Coordinator for synchronized swimming at the Olympic Games. Betty has managed the 2005 and 2009 UANA Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships. In 2005, she was awarded the Lillian MacKellar Award. In 2008, she was inducted into the USSS Hall of Fame and in 2011, Betty was presented the President’s Award from United States Synchronized Swimming.
During her tenure as chair of USA Synchro’s International Relations Committee, Betty has championed the club option program. This program promotes exchanges between USA clubs and those of other countries. Betty believes that these exchanges are important not only for the promotion of the sport, but to also promote a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Lynn Kachmarik (USA)
2021
Lynn’s storied career and leadership features experience at all sport levels including youth sports, NCAA DI, DII and DIII and international competition.
She was an All-American water polo player and swimmer at Slippery Rock University where she earned her BS and MS Degrees in Physiology and Education. She was a 10-year member/captain of the United States National Water Polo team as a player, coach, and a member of the USA Water Polo’s Executive Committee.
She held various coaching positions at Bucknell University, including serving two decades as the head coach for the men’s and women’s water polo and swim teams.
Lynn served as the Athletic Director at Saint Mary’s College for 10 years and moved on to become the Vice-President/General Manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks baseball team. In her position as General Manager, she became the first female to serve in that role for any minor league baseball team.
Lynn also worked at the University of Notre Dame and served as the National Outreach Director for Play Like a Champion Today. She has been inducted into six Athletic Halls of Fame including the United States Water Polo Hall of Fame, Collegiate Water Polo Hall of Fame, Bucknell University Hall of Fame, and the Slippery Rock University Hall of Fame.
Lynn is currently recognized as a renowned global speaker and educator on leadership, cultural change embraced by empathy, character development and vulnerability. She currently serves as president of Equilibria in Sports and Education as well as Vice President of Equilibria in Healthcare. Equilibria is an entrepreneurial company committed to elevate personal, professional, and organizational performance through understanding, embracing and leveraging diversity of thought and behavior.
Lynn’s passion and commitment to mentoring all partners on a journey of excellence as they strive to reach their potential fuels her endless mission of developing intentional leaders and high-performance teams.
Florence Werner (USA)
2021
Florence Werner was an active American Red Cross Instructor for over 50 years. For Mrs. Werner, swimming was her life. And although today she is retired, “Flo” as she is fondly called, continues to offer guidance to both swimmers and instructors alike.
She began her teaching career in 1961 at the Curtis Pool, just a few blocks from downtown Miami. The most important thing in Werner’s life was teaching people to swim, young and old, and making them safe.
Every weekday for many summers, Flo would pack up the other most important things – her four children Margaret, Michael, Carol, and baby, Cindy – and head for the pool. Each of her children as well as the children of other swimming instructors wore a red heart and could take swimming lessons for free. As the years went by, Flo’s children became good swimmers.
Every year a new group of swimming instructors showed up at Curtis Pool to replace those instructors who had moved on to the next phase of their lives. But not Flo, she remained year after year because teaching swimming was her passion and her life’s calling. Teaching swimming was her chance to change lives, save lives, and make a difference in the world.
As the years passed, Flo’s children grew up and even had children of their own. Yet Flo kept teaching. Her life took various turns along the way including divorce, moving back to her hometown of Steubenville, Ohio and remarrying and living on a farm. But there was always one constant in Flo’s life: teaching swimming.
She was not only known as a swimming teacher, but as the best swimming teacher, according to her students. She taught everyone from “tiny tots” to adults. There were so many children who were deathly afraid of the water, yet Flo calmly, nurtured, and within a couple of lessons she had then blowing bubbles, bobbing under water, climbing out of the pool and yes, swimming!
Somehow the word spread and many adults who had been afraid of the water all their lives would show up at the pool to see Flo and to hopefully, finally, learn to swim. She never let a single one of them down. With her nurturing and assuring nature Flo coaxed these adults, most of them filled with fear and anxiety, into the pool, and in just a few lessons, they were swimming. Nobody was left behind. Each and every one of them got over their fear and learned to swim. You could tell that, for most of them, it was a life-changing experience.
But for Flo, the children were the focus and the joy. Countless children came through Flo’s lessons and learned to swim. Starting off with simply getting into the pool, then blowing bubbles, through “reach and pull”, finally being able to say with full confidence, “I can’t touch but I can swim!”
In time, Flo and her husband, Val returned to Miami. Flo began teaching swimming at A.D. Barns Pool. Flo is a legend at A.D. Barns and some of the swimming instructors there today got their first lessons from Flo.
Needless to say, Flo’s dedication to teaching swimming has touched the lives of thousands of people and has surely saved the lives of many. Her dedication as an American Red Cross Certified Instructor has spanned more than 50 years and has truly been extraordinary, which is why the ARC honored Flo for her 50 years of service in 2011.
Peter Davis (USA)
2019
Chief Peter Davis, a seventh generation Galvestonian, leads the Galveston Island Beach Patrol as well as the Park Board Police Department. He has been involved in lifesaving since 1983. This includes serving as a professional ocean lifeguard, but for many of those years he has acted in a voluntary capacity to develop lifesaving and reduce drowning worldwide, with a focus on Central and South America.
Peter has acted as Secretary General of the Americas Region of the International Life Saving Federation since 2008. He has visited many Central and South American countries to help develop national life-saving organizations. He is currently involved in training Mexican lifeguards and is the coordinator of a lifeguard exchange program with Galveston sister city, Veracruz. Davis has been involved in numerous international efforts to train the first open water lifeguard instructors.
He is an Open Water Lifesaving and Personal Watercraft Rescue for the USLA and Red Cross open water lifeguarding, Red Cross Emergency Medical Response and personal watercraft rescue. He is an Emergency Medical Technician, Texas Peace Officer, Marine Safety Enforcement Officer, Emergency Vehicle Operator, Swift Water Technician, and Public Safety Driver. He is also certified as a Crisis Intervention Counselor.
Davis has also served as a voluntary official with the United States Lifesaving Association since 1985, in a variety of capabilities including President and Vice-President of the Gulf Coast Region. A key project Davis has been involved, is a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to educate the Public about rip currents and rip current safety. Davis has written numerous articles and produced videos warning bathers about the dangers of rip currents.
Chief Davis was elected President of the United States Lifesaving Association in 2014 and currently serves in that capacity. He oversees the nation’s only national organization of open water lifeguards which sets the standards for beach lifeguarding in the USA.
Carvin DiGiovanni (USA)
2019
Carvin DiGiovanni has been a PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY ANSI Standards expert with over forty years’ experience building consensus with industry business segments and government officials. He has successfully forged relationships with the CPSC, CDC, OSHA, EPA, DOE, FBI and many industry allied associations and groups including the ICC. He has assisted federal legislators in the development of the VGB Pool and Spa Safety Act.
Since 1990, DiGiovanni has been the Vice President, Technical & Standards of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals; From 2015 to the present he has been the Senior Director, Technical, Standards, Education and Government Relations. The years 1990 through 2015, he directed the industry’s standards, technical, education and government relations programs. DiGiovanni managed 200 industry technical experts in the promulgation of 17 ANSI/APSP/ICC pool and spa standards through the American National Standards Institute process resulting in various states, local jurisdictions and national building codes referencing these standards.
On the International Code Council, he was instrumental in aligning the APSP with the International Code Council with a Memorandum of Understanding which has led to both organizations developing a new ICC Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) incorporating many of the ANSI/APSP standards. States adopting this pool code achieve APSP’s government relations goal of having the APSP standards become law. This milestone relationship brings the code officials closer to the industry to enhance public safety.
He has been involved in expert witness testimony and successfully defended the APSP by providing testimony in lawsuits where the APSP was being sued. He successfully testified before the CPSC to secure industry unblockable drain technology. Additionally, he worked with both Houses in the U.S. Congress to ensure that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB) was consistent with ANSI/APSP-7 Standard for Suction Entrapment Avoidance.
Carvin has worked collaboratively with industry representatives to USA Diving, American Public Health Association, National Environmental Association, World Water Parks Association, American Hotel and Lodging Association, American Red Cross, and YMCA, CPSC, and CDC. Education, Training & Certification Program Strategy-Provided leadership and direction for moving the association’s training and certification programs, DiGiovanni helped bring about a more progressive online platform comprised of learning modules. He managed the production of four industry core certification and training programs: Builder, Service, Portable Hot tub and Retail segments, including textbooks, PowerPoint slides and exams.
He has been recognized by numerous awards, including, World Water Park Association, “Al Turner Commitment to Excellence Award” (2018); APSP Fellow (2015); ICC “Industry Affiliate Award” (2014); Federal Bureau of Investigation Award for “Exceptional Service in The Public Interest” (2011); National Drowning Prevention Alliance “Community Lifesaver Award” (2009); Aquatics International Magazine “25 Towers of Power” (2006). Currently serving on the Board of Directors of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
Gregory Eggert (USA)
2019
Over the last 30 years, Greg Eggert has been one of the leading figures within USA Swimming, United States Aquatic Sports, the YMCA, UANA and FINA, in a variety of roles and duties.
Greg Eggert began as a swimmer on the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, and later served as an assistant swim coach for the LHY team for one season. He was head coach at the West Morris YMCA for two seasons and then for two seasons as an assistant coach to Jim Wood at the Berkeley Aquatic Club in New Jersey. As an age group coach, he served as the Manager of several Eastern Zone All Star Teams and served as the Age Group Chair for New Jersey Swimming followed by two terms as the General Chair of New Jersey Swimming.
Eggert was elected to the USA Swimming Board of Directors as an Eastern Zone director and subsequently elected as USA Swimming Vice President. He served as Special Assistant to USA Swimming President Dale Neuburger. He was appointed to the International Relations Committee in 1998 and served as a member for 20 years including one term as the co-chair of the committee. He also served the shortest tenure of any member on the ISHOF Board of Directors during the transition from one CEO to the next.
Eggert served as the Press Information Manager at the 1995 FINA Water Polo World Cup and in the same role at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Appointed as a member of the FINA Commission in 2000 and in 2017, he was appointed by FINA President Julio Maglione to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the FINA Media Committee. he serves as editor for the Americas of the FINA Aquatics Magazine and contributes articles to the magazine about athletes and coaches across each of the aquatic disciplines. Since 2004, he has served as the Media Officer of United States Aquatic Sports. Eggert has worked for NBC at the US Olympic Trials and various broadcasts of USA Swimming Nationals and the Duel in the Pool, and for ESPN during the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships.
Appointed as the Media Officer of UANA by UANA President Eldon Godfrey in 2007, Eggert will serve in the role through August 2019. He was appointed Executive Director of UANA in 2015 and is responsible for oversight of the aquatic disciplines at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in August 2019.
Bill Farrar (USA)
2019
Born in Washington, D.C. Bill Farrar graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in General Studies, majoring in Economics and Business Administration. He received his Juris Doctor with Honors from the National Law Center of the George Washington University.
Bill Farrar has served USA Diving in a variety of capacities for nearly three decades.
As a long-time member of the Board of Directors, Farrar spent time as both Vice-Chair of Administration and as Law and Legislation/Governance Chair. He has also served as USA Diving General Counsel, and has been involved in the Board of Review Committee, the Long-Range Planning committee, the Business Affairs Committee, the Rules Committee and the Member Services Committee.
Farrar began his service with USA Diving in 1990, when he attended his first annual meeting as a delegate from the Potomac Valley Diving Association. At that meeting, he was elected to the Law & Legislation Committee as the Zone A member. He has been involved with USA Diving ever since.
He went on to serve ten years as Law & Legislation/Governance Committee Chair and six years as Vice Chair of Administration, resulting in 16 years on the Board of Directors.
In 1999-2000, he chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee, which led to an eight-year long range plan adopted by the membership in September, 2000.
Farrar was a member of the Business Affairs Advisory Committee from 2005-2008, with that committee recommending significant and substantive changes to the structure of USA Diving. He served on the selection committees that recommended Debbie Hesse as the first President and CEO of USA Diving as well as Linda Paul, who was Hesse’s successor.
During his many years of service, he has reviewed and drafted many contracts of various types and has provided legal counsel to the Board, the Executive Director and the Presidents. He led the Bylaws Committee that created the Amended and Restated Bylaws of USA Diving in 2017.
In 2014, he received the Glenn McCormick Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the sport of diving.
Bill continues to serve USA Diving whenever called upon. He resides with his wife Karen in Beaufort, SC.
Don Holbrook (USA)
2019
Don Holbrook has worked as a water polo coach, official, supervisor and commissioner for over 40 years. He has worked in these different positions not for fame or glory but for the sport he truly loves.
Holbrook coached boys’ water polo starting in 1972 at Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, California, for well over 10 years and came back to coach the girls inaugural water polo team at Los Altos for five years.
Don became active in officiating at the high school, community college and college level shortly after coaching the boys at Los Altos.
He then became the head referee at the USA Water Polo National Junior Olympics for age groups 12U, 14U, 16U and 18U and worked for over 15 years in this capacity. As the tournament increased in the number of teams allowed to qualify, the tournament increased to over 200 teams for both boys, girls and co-ed for the 12U and Holbrook’s involvement increased as well. They utilized over 25 sites and had well over 100 officials for each session (boys and girls). Holbrook dealt with travel compensation, hotels, ground transportation and the assigning of the numerous games each day. He held clinics each night so the officials from all over the United States could have a knowledge clinic to add to their on-deck mentoring experiences.
On the local level, Holbrook worked as the liaison between the officiating governing BOD and the sports governing board for interscholastic athletics in CIF-SS. He was a member of this Officials Association BOD for over 15 years and he also worked as the representative on this board for the collegiate officials.
Today, Holbrook works with the governing association in dealing with their championship weekend for water polo. He oversees the field of play personnel for this event.
In addition, he is the supervisor of officials for the Southern California Community Colleges, three conferences (excluding San Diego), and has done this for approximately 10 years. Holbrook mentors and evaluates all officials working for these conferences.
He is also the supervisor of officials for the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference (SCIAC) and has held this position for 15 years.
On the high school level, Holbrook also assigns the high school officials in his local area in Southern California.
Dr. Igor Petrovich Kartashov (RUS)
2019
Dr. Igor Kartashov was a competitive swimmer. He was educated at Volgograd State Institute of Physical Culture and Sport (1972-1976) and then entered graduate school at the Leningrad State Institute School of Physical Culture and Sport of Lesgaft (1980).
While in Leningrad, Kartashov worked with the great swim coaches Igor Koshkin and Genrih Yarotsky, where he developed training programs and analyzed equipment used to evaluate them. Kartashov developed and patented approximately 20 modifications of simulators for swimming. After completing graduate school, he remained in Leningrad to work at the Department of Swimming under the direction of Arvid Kozlov, father of Olympian Anna Kozlova (United Team ‘92 and USA 2000 and 2004).
In 1983, the Sport Research Support Group of the National Synchronized Swimming Program was created and led by Igor Kartashov. The ideology of the program was the organization of sport as “Synchro as a Gold Medal Factory”. The principle is constant controlled pressure and monitored competition of young athletes based on the results of famous athletes. It also supports the development of young coaches. The concept of the “factory” is “stiff competition, full control and deliberate correction.” This program was supported at the highest level of the Ministry of Sports of the USSR. Kartashov also identified model characteristics of the world’s leading synchronized swimmers based on testing at international competitions.
In 1984, Kartashov introduced video tutorials. At this time the program Reserve-92, Hope-96 was created for young synchronized swimmers. Russian junior athletes first entered the European Junior Championships and made the podium in 1985 (Bulgaria). In 1986, at the European Juniors in Holland, the Russians swept the gold medals. Many of the athletes on that team won the gold medal in the 2000 Olympic team event. They have remained undefeated in Olympic events and have dominated the World Championships as well. The Russian synchronized junior swimmers have been undefeated at the World Championships ever since. The senior national team has been undeated at the World and Olympic Games since 2000.
Igor Kartashov’s challenge and dream of creating a Gold Medal Factory has been accomplished. Today, many of his pupils are coaching in countries all around the world, elevating the technical levels of synchronized swimming.
Kartashov has also held the following positions of leadership in synchronized swimming: President, Russian Synchronized Swimming Federation (1992-97 and 2000-2005). Member, LEN TSSC (1994), serving as Vice Chairman (12 years); Member, FINA TSSC (1996-2017), serving as Vice Chairman.
He has also produced movies on the analysis of sculling for both FINA and LEN.
Today, Kartashov continues to serve as vice president of the Russian Synchronized Swimming Federation training the leaders of today and tomorrow.
Frank Busch (USA)
2018
Frank Busch was the National Team Director for USA Swimming from 2011 through 2017. Prior to that appointment, Busch had a 31-year coaching career, leading his collegiate and club teams to national championships seasons.
Busch began his club-coaching career in Northern Kentucky in 1974 and his NCAA career at the University of Cincinnati in 1980. Subsequent to his hiring at the University of Arizona in 1989, Busch went on to win Division I titles at both Men and Women’s National Championships. His club
affiliate, Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics, also earned National Championship titles under his leadership.
During his coaching years, Busch was named to numerous coaching staffs for USA Swimming, including Athens 2004, and Beijing 2008. In addition to his contributions to American swimming, Busch has coached athletes from over a dozen other countries to international success.
Busch has been the recipient of multiple coaching awards including United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and USA Swimming Coach of the Year. He is a six-time NCAA Division I Coach of the Year and earned the Pac-10 Conference Coach of the Year award 11 times. He was inducted into the American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame in 2008.
As National Team Director, Busch was responsible for providing the overall vision and leadership for the USA’s top coaches and athletes. He was directly involved with developing talent, mentoring coaches, and managing international relations efforts. In London 2012, Busch led a successful campaign with 31 medals, and 33 medals at the Rio Olympics in 2016. In both of these summer games, USA Swimming’s success represented 30% of team USA’s total medal count.
Frank received his B.S. in Education from Loyola University in Chicago.
Dr. Ben Rubin (USA)
2018
Dr. Ben Rubin got involved in the sport of diving 40 years ago, when he became the team doctor for the Mission Viejo Natadores in California. As an Orthopedic Surgeon, he cared for the athletes on the team and as his expertise in diving injuries became more widely known, he began treating athletes from other diving teams from around the country.
As knowledge of his success kept spreading, he then started using his magic touch on divers from around the world.
During this time, Dr. Rubin began working with USA Diving and was asked to assemble the first ever Sports Medicine Team to provide treatment and care for the U.S. National Team and all the athletes participating in the National Championships, as well as at the World Championships and the Olympic Trials.
Rubin’s Sports Medicine Team was one of the best, if not THE best group of experts ever assembled. At the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, Dr. Rubin served as the physician for the USA teams.
Dr. Rubin also served as the Head Physician for the Servite High School Football Team in Southern California and after 38 years of outstanding service and care of the athletes, their new Sports Medicine Center was recently named after him.
To this day, U.S. divers and divers from around the world, travel many miles to seek out his expertise and care. Other than his skill, one of the reasons Dr. Rubin has been so sought after is because he not only treats the athlete, but takes an interest in them personally. He is a doctor and a mentor at the same time. Being in his care is a unique experience not found with many doctors. The world of diving would like to thank Dr. Ben Rubin for his many years of outstanding services to the sport of diving and beyond.
Jill White (USA)
2018
Jill is an internationally recognized safety, risk management, and training specialist in the field of aquatics. She is the co-founder of the Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) – a certification agency for lifeguards, swimming instructors and pool operators – and a managing partner of StarGuard Elite (SGE) – a provider of training, aquatic risk prevention, and operational support services to waterparks, the cruise industry, and aquatic venues in the U.S. and international locations. A frequent speaker at industry conferences and the author of numerous publications, Jill was recognized by Aquatics International magazine as one of the “Power 25 of the last 25 years” for her contributions and influence in the field, was selected to the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame, and is a recent recipient of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance Lighthouse Award.
White attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR where she received a BSE in Physical Education; Recreation & Health Education Minors. She also attended the University of Illinois (Champaign/Urbana and Chicago), where she majored in Physical Education, and was a James Scholar.
Jill was named to the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame, October, 2014; Recognized in Aquatics International Power 25 issue, as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in the World of Aquatics”, February, 2012; Received the World Waterpark Association Al Turner Memorial “Commitment to Excellence” Award, 2010; Named Who’s Who in Aquatics – Top 100 Aquatic Professionals. 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; Aquatics International “Best of Aquatics – Marketing”, 1999; Named to the International Academy of Aquatic Art (IAAA) Hall of Honor, International Swimming Hall of Fame; Distinguished Performer as member of University of Illinois Chicago Aquinas, 1975; Received the IAAA Distinguished Service Award, 1981,1984,1989; and was awarded the IAAA Joyce Malone Coach of The Year, 1983.
She is co-founder and Chairman of The Starfish Center for Aquatic Safety Research, Education and Leadership, 2018; she is on the Board of Directors of the World Waterpark Association, 2014 to present and a member of the Planning Committee Chair, 2017 to present; Member of the YMCA Expert Advisory Panel, 2014 to present; Writing Committee, CDC Model Aquatic Health Code, 2008-2014; Member of the Education Committee, World Waterpark Association, 2012-2014; Chair, American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP) “Standard for Operational Safety and Aquatic Risk Management”; Writing Committee, 2006-2008; Board of Directors, Council for National Cooperation in Aquatics (CNCA),1981-1998; and Member of the Board of Directors, International Academy of Aquatic Art, 1979-1996.
David Bell (USA)
2018
David Bell has been a contributor to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) national aquatics program for over 40 years. During his high school and college years, he spent 13 summers on the aquatics staff at various scout camps, personally teaching swimming, water rescue, and boating skills to hundreds of youths. He became an instructor trainer for BSA camp aquatics directors in 1974 and continues to teach at those week-long schools. The hundreds of adults he has trained have in turn provided safe swimming programs for tens of thousands of youths.
The BSA uses outdoor adventure programs to support its mission of youth character development and values-based leadership training. Activities in, on and under the water are a significant subset of the programs that attract youth and retain youth in the program. For example, scouts earn over 60,000 Swimming Merit Badges per year. Since 1979, when he was asked to rewrite the Lifesaving Merit Badge pamphlet, David has supported those BSA programs at the national level. He has been an Aquatics Specialist on the BSA National Health and Safety Committee since 1996 and became a Charter Member of the BSA National Aquatics Task Force in 2005. He was a major contributor in the redevelopment of the BSA Lifeguard professional lifeguard certification in 2008.
He conceived and authored “Aquatics Supervision, A Leader’s Guide to Youth Swimming and Boating Activities” in 2009, which is the text for Swimming and Water Rescue training for adults. In 2012, he wrote, directed, and helped edit the Safe Swim Defense online training video and the associated video on Remote (Swimming) Area Setup. He designed the “Water Reality” obstacle course of large inflatables used at the 2013 and 2017 BSA National Jamborees which had over 10,000 participants over the nine-day program in 2017.
Bell’s involvement with BSA aquatics has led to interactions with other agencies. He has been the BSA representative to the U.S. Lifeguard Standards Coalition and Water Safety USA. He was a sounding board member or subject member expert for the 2007, 2012, and 2017 revisions of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program. He was a member of the Technical Support Committee for Lifeguarding and Bather Supervision of the Council for the Model Aquatics Health Code. He is on the Board of Directors of the American Canoe Association.
David swims a mile three times a week when not traveling. He holds current certifications for BSA Aquatics Instructor, BSA Lifeguard, YMCA Lifeguard, American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor and PADI Open Water Diver. Bell has a BS and PhD degree in Physics.
Jennifer Gray, MBE (GBR)
2018
Jennifer Gray has done it all – athlete, coach, official, administrator, professor, and author.
As an athlete, Jennifer was a member of the first Great Britain national team in 1968 and ended her career after competing in the first FINA World Championships in 1973.
Professionally she served as the National Development Officer for the Amateur Swimming Association for Synchronized Swimming and Diving. From 1994-2010, Jennifer served as the Principal Lecturer/ Head of Department for Sport and Coaching Studies at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, England. Since her “retirement” Jennifer has served as an Associate Lecturer in Education at Oxford Brookes University. She also serves as a freelance consultant/coach for Artistic Swimming.
Gray is one of the most widely published authors for synchronized swimming, having published nine books on the sport, one in collaboration with Istvan Bayli, “Long Term Athlete Development for Synchronized Swimming”. She has also published two books on diving.
Jennifer is one of the most sought out presenters at conferences on synchronized swimming for both judges and coaches. Her presentations applying Laban’s Theories of Movement to synchronized swimming were the first of their kind. She has also been the keynote speaker at the Oxfordshire Coaches Association, “The Missing Link” (2010) and “Maximizing Potential” (2014).
Jennifer has been a valued member of the FINA Ad Hoc Committee on Degrees of Difficulty since its creation in 1987. Gray has conducted clinics for 23 national associations and 24 FINA/LEN clinics. She has conducted clinics on every continent.
She has judged or refereed at the FINA World Championships, Junior World Championships, World Masters Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games and at the Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition, she is a FINA Evaluator.
Jennifer served on the FINA TSSC (2009-2012), and she is currently Vice Chair of the LEN TSSC. She has served as Vice President, South of England Aquatics and as Chairman of England Synchronized Swimming Committee. Gray has served as Chair Oxfordshire Coaching Committee, and is a former Master of the Guild of Sports Internationalists.
For her extraordinary contributions to the sport of synchronized swimming, in 2016 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II awarded Jennifer Gray the title Member of the British Empire (MBE).
Dr. Bob Corb (USA)
2018
A former water polo official who is now responsible for the education of all varsity officials working for the NCAA. Dr. Corb completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Massachusetts and holds both a master’s degree in athletic administration, and a Masters and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Corb has been involved in the sport of water polo since 1973. A native of Massachusetts, he began playing water polo in college, first at Northeastern University and later at the University of Massachusetts. A past coach, player, referee and now an administrator, he started the New England Water Polo Referees’ Association (NEWPRA) in 1978. Also, in 1978, Corb received his first NCAA Championship experience as he officiated in the NCAA Championship play-in-game between Brown University and Texas A & M University with CWPA Hall of Fame coach Russ Yarworth.
Following graduation, he traveled around the country for six months prior to coming back to Massachusetts and working for several years before making the move in 1980 to Southern California. A member of the Olympic Committee staff for the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, he continued his water polo officiating role from the East Coast in his new home in California. Moving up the ranks both in USA Water Polo and on the high school and college levels, he became a FINA referee, and traveled to over ten different countries to officiate water polo. The President of the Southern California Aquatics Federation (SCAF) for three terms, and active in the USAWP referee organization, Corb was invited to officiate the first ever women’s NCAA Water Polo Championship in 2001.
Away from the pool deck, his academic career and accomplishments are equally impressive. After teaching for four years in the psychology department at Pomona College in Claremont, California, he went to work at the University of California, Riverside in their counseling center where he created and ran a successful sports psychology program for ten years. In 2008, he was recruited to return to the counseling center at the University of California-Los Angeles, where he had completed his pre-doctoral internship, to become their first ever Sports Psychology Program Director. In that capacity, he was responsible for ensuring that the behavioral health needs of the 670+ student athletes of UCLA were being met prior to his retirement.
For the past ten years, Dr. Corb has used his background as an official, training as a psychologist, and his education in athletic administration to create a national program whose goal is to improve the overall quality and consistency of officiating throughout the country. As the NCAA national coordinator of officials for both the men and women’s water polo, his initiatives in support of this goal has included the development and growth of the National Evaluator Group (NEG), currently consisting of twenty members across the US with a combined 750+ years of water polo experience. This group includes former elite level referees, coaches, and players, including two previous recipients of the Paragon Award. In addition to attending weekend training sessions funded by a grant from the NCAA to Dr. Corb, this group conducts hundreds of in-person formal evaluations each year, using a standardized online evaluation form developed by the NEG. Dr. Corb has also created the ADVANTAGE website, which is the platform for referee training, coach education, and increased communication between all the stakeholders in intercollegiate water polo. In 2016, he and the NEG created and presented the inaugural mandatory national referee school, which will be offered again in 2018, coinciding with the new two-year NCAA Rulebook. Additionally, Dr. Corb has been instrumental in increasing the collaboration between the NCAA and USAWP in the area of referee training, working toward one unified set of playing rules for all levels within the US, introducing the use of radios for officials in both game situations and training opportunities, and creating an environment where assignments for both men and women are linked directly to performance. His mantra remains, “Referees should be rewarded for applying the rules as written.”
Ron Van Pool (USA)
2017
A native of Seattle, Washington, Ron Van Pool received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Washington, followed by his Masters in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked as a National Sales Manager for the Weyerhaeuser Company, one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands that was rated one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2016-2017.
Ron Van Pool is being honored for his dedication and tireless hours of service to the sport of competitive swimming. Ron has been involved with USA Swimming for over 30 years, serving as an official in capacities from age group meets to being Meet Referee for Sectional, Grand Prix, Arena Pro, Winter Nationals, Masters Nationals, Open Water Nationals, Pac 12 Championships and World Championship Trials Meets. He has officiated at every Olympic Team Trials since 1996 and continues to be active at both the LSC and the national level.
Van Pool has also served USA Swimming in many leadership roles including; International Relations (Chair), Rules and Regulations Committee (Member, Program Operations (Vice-President) and Governance Review Task Force (Chair) and most recently, the USA Swimming CEO Search (Chair). He has also served as the USA Swimming representative to the USOC and the National Governing Body Council for over ten years. He reached the pinnacle of offices in 2002, when he was elected President of USA Swimming, a role he held through 2006.
Van Pool served on the initial FINA Disciplinary Panel (2005-2009) and represented USA Swimming as a delegate to FINA General and the FINA Technical Congresses from 2004-2009. He is a Founding Director and Secretary of the USA Swimming Foundation, and was a Board of Director for the United States Sports Insurance, 2002-2015, and served as Secretary 2006-2015. Ron has also been a speaker at numerous seminars, clinics and conventions on the local, national and international level, speaking about officiating, meet directing, refereeing, as well as all aspects of running a successful event.
In 2013, Van Pool was the recipient of the USA Swimming Award, given to an individual or organization with the most outstanding contribution to the sport, an honor given to only a handful of individuals. When Ron Van Pool is not traveling to cities to officiate swim meets, he and his wife live in the beautiful city of Seattle, Washington.
Linda Paul (USA)
2017
Linda Paul has been a part of USA Diving for more than 16 years. She joined the organization as Director of Business Development in 2001 and since has been involved in nearly every aspect of the organization. In 2010 she was named President and CEO of the organization and immediately began organizational improvements.
USA Diving Code of Regulations: In 2012, Paul started laying groundwork to simplify and make them easier to understand. In 2014, the membership unanimously approved that the code be placed in the hands of the Board to work more like a business. In 2015, language was incorporated to support Safe Sport, an important program USA Diving and other NGB’s support along with the USOC.
Technical Rules of Diving: In 2013, Linda started the process of updating rules by putting in place a Rules Restructuring Committee. They were charged with cleaning up rules and meet management policies at USA Diving as the organization evolved from a volunteer organization to a professional staff driven one.
Board Composition: In 2015, when she discovered it was over-looked, she was able to secure support and eventually add a National Federation of State High Schools position to the Board of USAD. This was important as there are over 14,000 high school aquatic programs in the USA. This also led to the partnership of USA Diving, NISCA and NFSHS in developing a beginner diving coaches course that launches in the 2017-2018 season.
Sponsorship: While at USA Diving, Paul brought on sponsors and increased sponsorship. She first approached long time printer, Sports Graphics, followed by Innovative Edit, that produced the first website for USA Diving to be developed at no cost. Years later, through her relationships and patience, Paul added Nike, Coca-Cola, Rocktape, Airweave and Pulsair.
Financially: Following the 2012 Olympic Trials, Linda hired TSE Consulting to help devise a plan to better leverage the biggest asset of the NGB – the Olympic Trials. The result officially engaged the USOC and NGB as partners in the process. A new bid process was implemented with greater participation from more cities and a substantially higher revenue was guaranteed for USAD. It also encouraged more community support and improved participant experience, laying new groundwork for the 2020 bid process.
TV/Social Media and Membership: In 2011, after 20 years of no television coverage, Paul was able to get the Summer National Championships televised that included shots from the Goodyear blimp. Linda started working with Takeit Live to make sure that when USAD was not on TV, the events would be live streamed. In 2014, she was part of a small group that was invited to meet in Seattle for Project 32 organized by NBC. From this meeting, an idea was launched to start televising the National Championships of the various NGB’s to steadily engage the audience more than just once during the Olympics cycle. That idea has now become a reality in 2017 with the Team USA Summer Champions Series.
Numbers under Paul’s watch steadily rose as a new social media strategy was implemented. Membership numbers have also steadily risen during her tenure from 5058 in 2010 to 8930 in 2016. She also initiated a USA Diving Hall of Fame with the help of Cynthia Potter and Peter Lasser, known as the Rings of Honor.
International Success: Under Linda’s tenure, USA Diving finally returned to the podium in both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. Winning four medals in 2012 including gold in the Men’s platform in a thriller finish with David Boudia’s stunning win. In 2016, USA Diving returned to the podium again winning three medals that included Steele Johnson, Mike Hixon and Sam Dorman in addition to David Boudia.
Linda Paul announced her retirement in 2017, and will be remembered for assisting in the growth and success of the organization through many challenges.
National Swimming Pool Foundation (USA)
2017
In 2012, The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) introduced its Step into Swim (SIS) program, a 10-year, learn to swim initiative to create one million more swimmers in an effort to improve public health and reduce drowning by teaching children, adults, and minority populations to swim. The campaign asks aquatic businesses, associations, and the public sector to sponsor organizations that are already teaching people to swim. To help the public and private sector understand the importance of learning to swim, the NSPF issued a white paper, which explains the benefits of creating more swimmers, and how more people swimming can relieve increasing healthcare costs propelled by physical inactivity, an aging society and troubling high drowning rates.
The National Swimming Pool Foundation works with different learn to swim programs all over the country in their Step into Swim Campaign, some of them include: The American Red Cross, Jewish Community Centers, Miracle Swimming, Swim Today, U.S. Swim School Association and the YMCA.
The Step into Swim Campaign enables underprivileged children across the country to learn the lifesaving skill of swimming. Large donations support the vision of creating happier and healthier lives by preventing drowning while creating more swimmers, and recognizing the resulting effect of building demand for swimming pools, hot tubs and aquatic facilities. Every dollar collected for Step into Swim goes directly toward the sponsored learn to swim programs.
Juliene Hefter (USA)
2017
Juliene Hefter has been the Deputy Director for the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association for the past eight years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Recreational Leadership from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and Quality from Marian College.
Hefter is currently the owner of Safety First Aquatics, LLC, and is the Executive Director/CEO for the Association of Aquatic Professionals. The AAP is a non-profit corporation that exclusively promotes and advocates policies, practices and procedures that contribute to safer and improved aquatic education, aquatic recreation activities, programs, and facilities; provides and supports quality aquatic education opportunities; coordinates and conducts research in the field of aquatic management and safety; promotes coordination and cooperation between established aquatic associations responsible for all aspects of aquatic programming, aquatic management, aquatic operation and maintenance and aquatic facility design, as well as providing an annual conference and educational workshops for communities on drowning prevention and education.
Juliene has a long and illustrious career in aquatics and park and recreation administration and has been the Manager of Recreation Services for the City of West Bend, Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Horicon, Supervisor of Recreation & Aquatics Director for the Fond du Lac School District, and the Park and Recreation Director for the Village of Germantown. She has served in a number of leadership positions with both state and national organizations, including being the Chairperson for the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2005 National Aquatic Conference, National Aquatic Management School for 2005 and 2006, Member and Chairperson of the Aquatic-Facility Operators Board of Directors 2004-2006, 2007 General Program Chairperson of the National Aquatic Management School and National Aquatic Conference, 2007 President of the National Aquatic Council, Chairperson of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association’s Recreation Section, Chairperson of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation’s Aquatic Section, Chairperson of the Southeast Park and Recreation Council and Vice- Chairperson of the Washington County Park and Open Space Technical Advisory Committee.
Hefter’s distinguished career includes being the recipient of the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association’s Professional Award of Merit, the Recreation Professional of the Year, Aquatic Professional of the Year, NRPA’s R.O.S.E. Award winner in 2006. She was named to Aquatic International’s “Power 25” in 2007, and was the recipient of the Public Policy Innovation Award.
She is a renowned speaker and author on a variety of management and administrative topics, including A Hands on Approach to Corporate Sponsorships, Sexual Harassment Training for Part-Time and Seasonal Staff, Public Perception of Lifeguards, Risk Management, Staffing and Staff Manual Development for Aquatic Facilities, Marketing and Promotions, and Team Building and Special Events. Juliene is also an instructor for the National Aquatic Facility Operator Certification Course.
Stefania “Cicci” Tudini (ITA)
2017
Stefania Tudini began her aquatics career as a speed swimmer when she was 11 years old. In 1957, she became successful at age 14 by winning her first Italian Championship with a national record in the 50m butterfly. She tried out for the 1960 Italian Olympic Team, but unfortunately did not make it.
Tudini became a swimming coach in 1971 and a synchronized swimming coach in 1975. She was appointed to oversee synchronized swimming for the Italian Swimming Federation in the same year. Her job was to reorganize the entire synchronized swimming department, with particular attention to the competitions aspect of the sport.
For the last 20 years, Tudini has organized and been the director for international events for synchronized swimming for the Italian Federation, such as Roma Sincro and Loano Synchro Cup. She was Director of the synchronized swimming portions of the 1994 and 2009 FINA World Championships, as well as several editions of the European Senior and Junior Championships and European Cups.
Stefania Tudini has served on the FINA Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee (TSSC) since 1992 and was elected Chairman in 2009, where she served two terms. For her achievement she received the FINA gold pin. She was also the chairman of the LEN TSSC and was honored by them for her years of service. “Cicci”, as she is known to all her synchronized swimming friends around the world, is currently the Director of Synchronized Swimming for the Italian Swimming Federation. Participation in the sport has grown exponentially in Italy under her leadership. She has attended and taken part in every FINA competition including the World Championships in Budapest, last month. The 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, was her last official event as a member of the FINA family.
Tudini says, “There is something in my sports life that makes me very proud about myself. With the help and the participation of Mrs. Sophie Sarwat and Madeleine Bernavon, I decided to transform the existing CO.ME.N Cup (Confederation Mediterrane de Natation) in a competition for age group (13/15) that has become the most important competition for this age all over the world. Maybe games of fate, I don’t know, but my first TSSC meeting was in Fort Lauderdale 25 years ago and now I am closing my career in the same place. A magic circle.”
Terry Sayring (USA)
2017
Rarely does your roommate change or mold the course of your life, but in the early 1960’s, that’s exactly what happened to Terry Sayring. The Terre Haute, Indiana native started officiating water polo in 1963 and has officiated over 6,000 games and 105 international matches.
Sayring first became involved in water polo when, upon being discharged from the Marine Corp in California, he moved in with two Olympic water polo players from El Segundo. They eventually introduced him to water polo innovator and Olympic Coach, Uhro Saari, who got Terry involved in officiating in 1963. The rest, as they say is water polo history.
Terry Sayring has been involved in water polo on almost every level. He has officiated events including the FINA World Championships, the FINA World Cup, FINA Jr. World Championships, Pan American Games, NCAA Championships and the AAU Championships. In 1969, Sayring founded the Southern California Aquatics Federation which is the water polo referee association. He was the manager of the 1980 and 1984 Olympic teams, as well as two Pan American teams, and the competition manager for the 1996 Olympic Games. Sayring was the tournament director for the Women’s FINA Cup, Junior Worlds and was a member of the ASUA Technical Committee for 12 years. In 1995, he was presented the FINA Silver Pin.
In addition to water polo, Sayring’s other passion has been genealogy. Over the past 30 years, he has been able to trace his ancestors back to 2700 BC, including the Mayflower, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. This helped with his next project: The American Water Polo Foundation, a non-profit 401C, that collects memorabilia and researches the history of USA Water Polo back to 1875. The foundation has collected information on the Men’s Olympic Teams from 1904 to the present and the Women’s Olympic Team from the 2000 Olympics to the present. Sayring has been a Life Member of United States Water Polo since 1978, and secretary of the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame for 25 years. He was elected into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1986 and received the USA Water Polo Award in 1988, the organization’s highest honor.
In 2015, he founded American Water Polo Collections, Inc., a California non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of water polo in America. Terry is currently supervisor of water polo officials for the Big West Conference and a member of the National Evaluators Committee. He has been married for 56 years with three daughters, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Glenn Mills (USA)
2016
Glenn Mills spent two decades becoming one of America’s fastest breaststrokers in America. In 1980, at the age of 18, he won the 200-meter breaststroke at the 1980 US Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, Glenn had to watch those “boycotted” Olympic Games from his living room on TV.
Refusing to let his Olympic disappointment define his life, Glenn chose to devote his life to helping other swimmers achieve their goals. In 2002, he co-founded a video-production company, GoSwim, with Barbara Hummel, a former colleague from his days working with Total Immersion Swimming. GoSwim embodies Glenn’s personal mission and lifelong quest of helping swimmers of all ages and backgrounds to swim better and to reach their full potential in the sport. GoSwim began by filming the techniques used by Olympic swimmers and has evolved into a company that produces a diverse range of media outlets and technologies, including articles, speaking engagements, clinics, DVDs, a world renowned website with a subscription platform with streaming video, and an innovative app that lets coaches film swimmers and immediately share videos with them. To date, Glenn and GoSwim have created and published nearly 700 swimming drills and more than 40 full-length instructional videos. The videos are easy to follow, and feature world class swimmers and coaches, including more than 30 Olympians, USA National Team Members and NCAA Champions. The goal is always to make swimmers better.
In 2010, GoSwim launched the industry’s first iphone app, bringing the best of GoSwim’s drills and technique photos right to the pool deck. Today the app is used by hundreds of thousands of swimmers and coaches, worldwide.
In 2011, Glenn and GoSwim created the industry’s first subscription platform for delivery of swim technique content. It gives swimmers a simple, inexpensive way to access all of GoSwim’s content, and gives coaches the ability to send selected videos to their swimmers everyday before practice.
The latest development is GoSwim’s “Deckshots” software, which allows a coach to video swimmers above or underwater using an iPhone, Android, GoPro or other camera, and share the video with the swimmer for immediate feedback and learning. A few clicks and the swimmer can compare his or her techniques with an Olympian. The “Deckshots” can also be uploaded and securely delivered to swimmers computers or smart phones for learning away from the pool. In addition to being one of the most revolutionary, innovative and useful coaching tools ever developed, it is also easy to use and affordable.
For the past year, Mills and his wife, and coaching partner, Rachel Stratton-Mills, have taken their products on the road, traveling in an RV, to share their products, technologies and expertise with hundreds of coaches and thousands of athletes across the country. It is a safe assumption that somewhere, someone is watching one of Glenn’s GoSwim videos, or using one of his platforms to become a better swimmer or coach!
GoSwim, the sport’s leading provider of educational video content, is the official technique video supplier of USA Swimming.
Cokey Smith Huffman (USA)
2016
It seems as though diving has always been in Cokey Smith Huffman’s blood. Although she participated in just about every sport in her youth, we are certainly glad she ended up in diving. Both of Cokey’s parents were employed at the University of Michigan and in the 1970’s, there were only several places with great diving coaches. So, in 1976, when Cokey fell in love with diving, after watching the beautifully graceful Jennifer Chandler win the Olympic Games, she hit the jackpot by living in Ann Arbor and having Coach Dick Kimball in her backyard.
She began attending Kimball’s summer camps in 1978 and continued every summer until his last camp in 1988. ISHOF Honor Coach, Dick Kimball invited Cokey to train at Michigan after the summer Junior Nationals in 1979 when she was just 14; Kimball would remain Cokey’s coach until the end of her career. Under Kimball, Smith won 26 State of Michigan age group titles; a silver medal on the 10-meter platform, at the 1981 U.S. Age Group Nationals; a silver medal on the 10-meter platform at the 1986 U.S. Senior Nationals; and was the 1990 and 1991 U.S. National Champion on the 10-meter platform.
Cokey attended the University of Michigan, but only competed for the Wolverines for two years. In 1987 and 1988, she was a Big Ten and NCAA finalist, helping Michigan win the Big Ten Championship both years. Injuries prevented Smith from doing her best and qualifying for the 1988 Olympic team. The four years between 1988 and 1992 saw the best years of her career. She was an 11-time National team member, three-time gold medalist at the United States Olympic Festival, two-time U.S. Senior National Champion and finalist at the 1991 World Championships on the 10-meter tower in Perth, Australia.
Cokey Smith has enjoyed many other accolades during her career. She was voted the 1986 Phillips 66 Performance Awards recipient, by her peers; won the 1990 HTH High Performance Award for the highest total score on dives with degree of difficulty limit; and won the 1990 and 1991 U.S. Senior National Highpoint Award for scoring the highest number of points based on finishes in all three disciplines: one, three and ten-meter.
During her diving career, Cokey always found time to give back to her sport. She involved herself in the administration of U.S.A. Diving, as well as with U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). She was the chair of the Athlete Representative’s committee from 1988-1992, and was the Athletes Advisory Representative to the USOC from 1988 through 1996. She continued to serve on the Olympic Foundation from 1996 -2000. As the AAC Representative to the USOC she served on the Budget Committee, as well as Games Preparation. She has also served as Treasurer of US Diving from 1996-2000. Currently, she is Chair of the U.S.A. Diving Judge’s Subcommittee, where she recently returned from judging at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, is the Secretary of UANA (Union Americana de Natacion), and is a member of the United States Diving Foundation.
USA Swimming Foundation
2016
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions—in the pool and in life. Whether equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country.
In 2007, the USA Swimming Foundation launched the Make a Splash initiative as a national child-focused water safety campaign, which aims to provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn to swim providers and water safety advocates across the country to provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. The USA Swimming Foundation has invested more than $4 million dollars to provide grants to qualified Local Partner learn-to-swim programs, to spread national awareness, and to bring together strategic partners to end drowning. To date, more than 4 million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation Make A Splash Local Partner network, comprised of more than 780 qualified lesson providers across the nation. It is our goal, by the end of 2017, to have 1 million children participating in swim lessons through our local partner network each year, and we are making great strides towards reaching this milestone.
In addition to the Local Partner program, the USA Swimming Foundation seeks to raise national awareness about the importance of learning to swim. Each year, the Foundation embarks on national awareness tour. Having recently completed its sixth year, the Make a Splash Tour presented by Phillips 66 visits cities across America to spread the learn-to-swim message among children, families and communities.
With the help of our USA Swimming Foundation Ambassadors and National Team athletes, the Tour has enhanced publicity and expanded the reach of the Make a Splash campaign to a wide audience of parents, learn-to-swim providers, educators and community leaders. The Tour has received extensive media exposure in outlets such as Sports Illustrated, the Today Show, HBO Real Sports and more. The Make A Splash Tour has made stops in cities such as St. Louis, Portland, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Albuquerque, Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, New Orleans, Des Moines, San Francisco, Memphis, New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, with 2016 stops in Phoenix, the Houston area and Atlanta.
Kate Rew (GBR)
2016
Kate Rew grew up in Devon, England on her family’s dairy farm but says she developed her love of swimming the wild on the River Culm. She attended the University of Oxford, and although she did not swim, she stayed close to the water in rowing. She studied Philosophy, Psychology and Physiology. Early in Rew’s career, she worked as a freelance journalist, writing about health, fitness adventure and psychology for a number of various magazines.
In 2006, Kate Rew founded the Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS) to promote and encourage outdoor swimming. The OSS aims to represent the interests of all the different kinds of outdoor swimming by providing inspiration, connection, and a community. It provides information about places to go outdoor swimming, and about events. It also provides advice about swimming safely and other aspects and helps people to connect, and share projects, websites, advice, photos, videos, stories, experience and ideas.
The OSS manifesto believes swimming enlarges and celebrates the beauty of each day; they believe in sharing the joy and adventure of swimming; believe all have a right to swim under an open sky; believe in open access to lakes and rivers and in keeping lidos open; believe clean water in our lakes and rivers is a fundamental right; they embrace the delight of cold water and its rejuvenating effects and promise to strip and dip whenever they can.
OSS started off with 300 members, and now has 27,000 on its email list, over 20,000 on its Facebook group, gets up to 10,000 page views a day on its wild swim map, and a growing Instagram thread. In 2016, OSS celebrated its 10th anniversary, and Kate was joined by four other directors to help run it.
In 2008, Rew released a book, Wild Swim, about the best places to swim outdoors, in river, lake, lido and sea, across Britain. The book became a best seller.
Kate Rew has been featured in several TV and radio documentaries, including an episode of the BBC Radio 4 programme Wilderness Journeys, The Diving Venus and three episodes of Coast on BBC TV. The news and lifestyle periodical Monocle magazine named her as one of its 20 “heroes who deserve a bigger stage worldwide”.
Ulla Soili Marjatta Lucenius
2016
Ulla is a native of Finland and is fluent in Finnish, English, and Swedish and also speaks German. She is a specialty nurse who in addition has studied mathematics, physics, statistics, education and physical education. All of which came in handy when she became “bitten” by the synchro bug.
Ulla entered the aquatics family as a speed swimmer, and her speciality was the backstroke. Throughtout her career Ulla has served all members of the Finnish aquatics family in various leadership capacities. For example, from 1980-2012, Ulla served as president, secretary general or board member of the following swimming clubs: Kuopion Uimaseura, Helsingin Uimarit and Vantaan Uimarit. Since 2013 Ulla has been serving on the board of the Vantaan Pyorre Swim Club.
In 1970 the Scandinavian Championships were held in Kuopio, Finland. This is where Ulla was first exposed to the sport of synchronized swimming. During the 1980’s with two toddlers in hand, Ulla traveled to different competitions and clinics to study the sport. Although Ulla never actually coached synchronized swimming, with her knowledge of movement, anatomy and physics, she produced theoretical materials, and she is a tutor and mentor for Level IV Coaching Education (out of V). She has instilled her love of synchro in her daughter Iris, the National Coach of Finland.
Ulla’s quick wit and excellent analytical skills have made her a popular instructor for FINA, LEN and Olympic Solidarity Clinics. She has conducted 60 clinics in 45 countries and on every continent.
Ulla served on the FINA – TSSC from 1992 – 2008, and served as its Chair from 2005 – 2008. She is best known for formalizing the FINA Judges’ Schools during her tenure as Chair of the FINA-TSSC. She worked tirelessly to make certain that the schools were a success, designing the curriculum and traveling to every continent to institute them. During 2007-2008 Ulla conducted 13 FINA Judges’ Schools.
Ulla officiated at the 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. She served as Chief Referee at the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2007 and 2009 World Championships, the 2006 and 2008 Junior World Championships and the 2006 World Trophy.
Ulla has also served the worldwide synchro family as a FINA Evaluator. Between 1995 and the present, Ulla has travelled to every corner of the globe to evaluate FINA judges at more than 50 competitions in 27 countries.
Ulla has been on the LEN-TSSC since 1990, and she is currently serving as its Chair. She has held this position since 2012.
Barbara Kalbus (USA)
2016
Dr. Barbara Kalbus never played the sport of water polo a day in her life, but during her lifetime, she was one the most influential and respected persons in the sport.
Originally from Wisconsin, Dr. Barbara Kalbus obtained her doctorate in biochemistry and botany. She first became involved with aquatics when her oldest son, Randy started swimming with the Phillips 66 Long Beach Aquatic Club in the early 1960s. As a volunteer she managed various aspects of both age group swimming and water polo programs and eventually became President of the Club. From 1969 through 1976 she also served on the Southern Pacific AAU Swimming Committee, in charge of time standards. Following the enactment of the Amateur Sports Act, in 1976, she was elected as US Water Polo’s first secretary and set up the organization’s first bylaws. She was also USWP’s first national registration chair. Although primarily a men’s sport at the time, she was appointed to serve on the Men’s International/Olympic committee in 1978 and was elected president of the USWP from 1980 to 1984. From 1985 through 1991 she served as Chair of the USWP Foundation. Beginning in the late 1970’s, she either wrote or helped to write grant requests, made arrangements for Olympic housing and tickets for Olympic parents and wives, organized events, made travel arrangements, handled insurance claims and correspondence not only for the organization, but for the coaches, managers and athletes as well. When she was the team manager for the U.S. Men’s Senior National Water Polo Team for the 1992 and 2004 Olympic Games, she did it all. Even when she wasn’t the manager, she was the right arm and invaluable resource for every administrator, US National Water Polo Team and Olympic Team Coach and Manager.
Beyond AAU and USA Water Polo, Barbara worked with the NCAA W/P and CIF (high school) Rules Committees from 1976 until 2014. She attended yearly meetings, worked with the editor of the Water Polo Rules Book to insure it was edited correctly, prepared rules revisions and proofs. She worked with NCAA & USWP to assist NCAA retention of Water Polo. She organized and ran the desk at approximately the last ten NCAA Water Polo Championships. Barbara prepared the master schedule of NCAA water polo each fall and prepared and distributed statistics of team comparative standings each week during fall season.
Barbara was also one of the most respected and experienced desk officials in the world. In her later years she was a fixture at Newport Harbor water polo games, where she would supervise the kids working the desk.
She was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 1993. In 2010, USA Water Polo established the Barbara Kalbus Distinguished Volunteer Award to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their service to the sport of water polo.
Barbara Kalbus did almost all of this volunteer work while working for Long Beach City College for forty-years as a science teacher, vice-president of academic affairs and finally vice-president of administrative services before retiring. She was a tireless worker, an innovator, a perfectionist and someone who wanted things done always the correct way. No one ever will care as much for the sport of water polo than Dr. Barbara Kalbus. It was her life and those who worked with her will forever be grateful for knowing her.
Julie O’Neill
2015
They don’t get much publicity, and that’s understandable. After all, unless you’re an Olympic sports junkie it’s not that easy to compare a performance in, say, the men’s 90–meter ski jump, with one in the 400 IM or the hammer throw. And how many people can tell you whether a 1:56 in the women’s 200 meter freestyle is more worthy of an Olympic medal than a score of 9.725 on the uneven bars? There are so many factors, both physiological and psychological, involved just in trying to appreciate what an athlete does, that it goes without saying that understanding that experience is even more difficult.
Okay. If you think that’s difficult – and it is – then try adding another layer of criteria to the mix. Add in the disability factor. Now tell me: is it more difficult to swim 100 meters butterfly with no arms or with no legs? And, how much harder is it to swim with neither arms nor legs? Disabled athletes swim and run slower than able-bodied athletes do. But surely, they are every bit their equals, at least.
This is the world in which Julie O’Neill operates. And “operates” is exactly the right word, for she goes about her daily business with the dedication and precision of a world-class surgeon. Julie currently serves as the team leader of Paralympic Sport Performance for the United States Olympic Committee. In this position she oversees the high performance planning and support processes, for the 28 Paralympic sports. Julie began her USOC career in 2003, when she signed on as an Associate Director and coach of the swim team. By 2008, she was named head coach.
Under her leadership, the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team achieved unparalleled success as the team finished first in the medal standings for the first time, winning 17 gold medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games.
With 44 total medals, nine more than they took home from Athens (2004), the team proved their ability on an elite international stage. The U.S. swimmers set a total of 16 world records, 23 Paralympic records, 48 Pan American records and 99 American records.
O’Neill’s first Paralympic coaching job at the international level came in 2002 at the International Paralympic World Championships in Mar del Plata, Argentina, making her the first woman head coach of any U.S. Team in a major international championship. In 2006, she led the US team that won the overall medal count at the IPC World Championships in Durban, South Africa. It was the first time the US had won the medal count at that quadrennial event.
Prior to her work with the USOC, O’Neill spent the previous eight years as a swim coach and administrator for various USA Swimming clubs including Rocket Aquatics (Syracuse, N.Y.),Kansas City Blazers, Liverpool Jets (Liverpool, N.Y.) and West Coast Aquatics (San Jose, Calif.).
Universally respected, O’Neill is a doer and a shaker, one of those people who make things happen.
Peter G. Wernicki, M.D.
2015
To paraphrase Mark Twain, everybody talks about water safety, but very few do much about it. One man who does a whole lot about it is Peter G. Wernicki, M. D. For over 30 years, Dr. Wernicki has contributed his expertise to medical and non-medical aspects of lifeguarding and water safety around the world.
Dr. Wernicki currently serves as the Aquatics Chair of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council, the Medical Committee Chair for the International Lifesaving Federation, and is the Medical Advisor of the United States Lifesaving Association.
Growing up on the New Jersey shore, Dr. Wernicki worked as a lifeguard for 12 summers. He held leadership positions within the guards, served as a water safety and lifeguard instructor, and both organized and competed in numerous ocean lifeguarding events.
Dr. Wernicki graduated from the University of Virginia and earned his medical degree from Rutgers Medical School. He went on to complete an orthopedic surgery residency in Baltimore at several institutions including the Johns Hopkins and Union Memorial Hospitals. He also completed fellowships in sports medicine and arthroscopy, and he currently specializes in sports medicine. To keep busy, he teaches Orthopedic Surgery at Florida State College of Medicine. For the past 11 years, Dr. Wernicki has been chosen by his peers as a “top physician” in Orthopedic Surgery.
If all this weren’t enough, Dr. Wernicki continues to contribute to global aquatic medicine and water safety through significant leadership efforts. He is an Executive Board member of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), a position he has held for the past 25 years. He has served as the US team physician and coach at numerous International Rescue Championships, he was co-chairman of the first ILS Medical Rescue Conference, held in 1997, and he was the keynote speaker at the 2011 World Conference on Drowning Prevention. He is also the ILS liaison to the World Anti-Doping Agency where he monitors athlete drug testing.
In 2006, the American Red Cross chose Dr. Wernicki to be a member of the organization’s National Scientific Advisory Council. The council is the scientific arm of the organization; it gathers, analyzes, and presents important evidence-based studies and data. The council’s authoritative statements guide all of the American Red Cross Health and Safety Programs. As a result, Dr. Wernicki was presented with the Chairman’s Award in 2012 for his “exceptional contributions toward saving lives.”
From 2010-2012, Dr. Wernicki served as a Co-Chair of the US Lifeguard Standards Coalition. This was a groundbreaking, joint effort among the American Red Cross, the YMCA, and the USLA. The large initiative was the first public safety effort to apply evidence-based science in the development of standards for open water and pool lifeguarding. Praised internationally, the published results are setting the standard for all future studies and improvements in global lifesaving.
Dr. Wernicki writes and publishes extensively on aquatics and water safety. He authored multiple chapters in the last two editions of the World Handbook on Drowning. A chapter in the “Science of Beach Lifeguarding” exhibits his insistence on rigorous evidence-based research. He has been published numerous times in the International Journal of Aquatics, the Physician and Sports Medicine, Anesthesiology, and many other scientific journals. In the lay press, Dr. Wernicki’s expertise is often quoted in publications such as Men’s Health, RedBook, New York Times, and the Washington Post.
Dan Sharadin
2015
Dan Sharadin swam and played water polo all four years of high school and was recruited by West Virginia University. Dan was led to believe he would be able to swim and play water polo in some type of program at WVU; unfortunately, this was not the case. Dan was so disappointed that after a very short time, he left the swim team to focus on developing West Virginia’s inaugural water polo club! It was made up of mostly ex-swimmers, and Dan took on the role as the first coach, as well as a player himself, and the club’s first president of the WVU Water Polo Program.
In Dan’s role as President of the WVU Water Polo Club, it was his job to arrange tournaments for the team to play in, so Dan begin to arrange tournaments in Ohio, Pennsylvania and the West Virginia areas, as well as planning trips to Montreal and Quebec. He was always looking for ways to promote the club, fundraise or find new tournaments and clubs to play.
After getting his Master’s degree from WVU in 1981, Dan founded the non-profit organization, Young Athletes of America (YAA) to give the less athletically gifted athletes an opportunity to play organized sports. One of the programs created through YAA was the Eastern Water Polo League (EWPL), a large multi-division structure that included teams from all over the eastern seaboard. Its success led coaches to question whether a similar structure would work within the collegiate ranks. Sharadin was asked if he would serve as part-time Commissioner of a small group of college teams known then as the Mid-Atlantic Conference, for the purpose of providing basic services including scheduling and publishing a league program.
He began his duties with the CWPA in the 1980’s, which seems like a lifetime ago. Since that time, many changes have taken place, including the merger of the New England and Southern conferences in the early 90’s, the addition of women’s water polo in the mid-90’s, and the merger of the Southeast Collegiate Club Conference in 2000. During a portion of this period Dan worked with United States Water Polo for the purposes of collegiate development and was able to see programs added for men and women throughout the country.
Since its inception, the CWPA has grown in size to become the largest water polo conference and the third largest collegiate athletic organization in the country. Today over 80% of all collegiate contests are played under the auspices of the CWPA. When Sharadin began at the CWPA , he was a part time employee; he now oversees a staff of five full time employees and an organizational budget of nearly half a million dollars. Thanks to Dan Sharadin, the Collegiate Water Polo Association has come a long way!
Lori Thompson
2015
Lori Thompson specializes in aquatic financial operations and business strategies, creating financially efficient operations that maximize the competitive and recreational aspects of the facility. Nowhere is that more apparent than at “Splash!” the La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center that Lori currently oversees. Splash! is a facility that is home to several team programs, including age group, high school, Masters Swimming, synchronized swimming and water polo. It hosts a large number of aquatic events each year but is also open to free recreational swim, free swim team, water polo, synchro and learn to swim. These programs, along with the facility is partially subsidized by annual passes to its waterpark, Buccaneer Bay, which includes a lazy river, three forty-foot tall water slides, a children’s play structure and spray pads. The facility also boasts a 50 meter competitive pool with removable bulkhead and a 25 yard instructional pool and spa. Phase two, for which the infrastructure and locker rooms are correctly in place include a second 50-meter pool, therapy pool and additional water slide. The recreational programs at Splash! help support the competitive programs as a benefit to the entire community!
Lori has been involved in many different aspects of the aquatics field, with over 30 years of experience: lifeguard, swim instructor, coach and pool manager. After receiving her degree from Biola University, she became involved in a number of drowning prevention organizations aimed at helping educate the community on the importance of drowning prevention and water safety. The City of La Mirada offers free water safety classroom presentations and most importantly is a key location and partner for the World’s Largest Swim Lesson, which is supported by a coalition of the nation’s leading water safety organizations, including the American Red Cross. Since the World’s Largest Swim Lesson began, Lori and her team have worked with program officials to help bring water safety awareness to the local, state and national level.
Lori has been awarded for her work in the field of aquatics as well as served in many capacities; she received the Citation Award from the Southern California Public Pool Operators Association, and has received several awards from the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation. She has served as the President of the California Parks and Recreation Aquatics Section and the Sothern California Public Pool Operators Section. She has worked as a trainer with the American Red Cross, Ellis and Associates, Australian Swim School and most recently has become a site administrator for the Starfish Swim Program developing the largest Starfish Swim Program in California.
Mary Ann Reeves
2015
Mary Ann Reeves was a key player in the development of synchronized swimming at the national and international level for Canada. Her contributions to the sport are the forerunner to what has evolved today. She founded the Calgary Aquabelles in 1965, a Canadian
synchronized swimming institution, which the International Swimming Hall of Fame has inducted six of its members! Mary Ann has been involved internationally on many different levels; as a coach, a technical director, a high performance director, an author and even a video producer! Mary Ann may not seem to stand out, but her reputation and her past achievements surely do. Her work for synchronized swimming became a model in the Canadian Sport System for developing coach training programs for all sports in the country. She became the first woman to take on a coach education leadership role in Canada when she became the Director of the National Coaching Institute in Calgary.
In 1966, Mary Ann founded the renowned Calgary Aquabelle Synchronized Swimming Club, where she also became the head coach; she continued coaching through 1975. She was named High Performance Director for Swim Canada from 1976 through 1992 and under Reeves leadership, Canada won 12 World and 6 Olympic medals during those years. In 1996, Reeves took over the role of Director of the National Coaching Institute (NCI)- Calgary, Alberta. The NCI is the premier institute for coaching education in Canada. Mary Ann was the Director for ten years and during this time she put together a program that has produced many of Canada’s most successful coaches leading to a great number of Olympic medals. As an Academic leader, she developed a curriculum that was not only successful, but has also been used across Canada and around the world.
As one would imagine, Mary Ann Reeves has won many awards. In 1974, she was presented the Calgary Booster Club Outstanding Leadership Award; in 1976, the Outstanding Leadership in Canada; in 1977, the Canadian Government Award; Alberta Sports Award; FINA Certificate of Merit, 1993; IOC Olympic Solidarity International Synchronized Swimming Clinical Certificate, 1992; Technical Council Administrator of the Year Award, 1993; and was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
Jim Stillson
2015
Jim Stillson’s life in the world of diving goes all the way back to when he attended Campbell High School and was named a High School All-American Diver. He went on to Ohio State University and dove under Hall of Famer, Ron O’Brien and earned NCAA All-American honors his senior year in the three-meter competition.
Jim Stillson’s life in the world of diving goes all the way back to when he attended Campbell High School and was named a High School All-American Diver. He went on to Ohio State University and dove under Hall of Fame Coach Ron O’Brien and earned NCAA All-American honors his senior year in the three-meter competition. Jim Stillson knew from day one he wanted to coach. He began his coaching career at Columbia University in New York City. He eventually moved on to his lifelong career at Southern Methodist University. Jim is currently in his 31st year as Head Men and Women’s Diving Coach of the SMU Mustangs. Under Stillson, the men’s and women’s teams have won 32 combined conference championships.
In his 30+ years at SMU, Stillson has coached three Olympians, including 1992 Silver medalist Scott Donie, Tony Igelsias (1196) and Ali Al-Hasan (1996). Since 1970, Stillson has guided student-athlete divers to 88 All-American honors, including three NCAA Diver of the Year award winners. Stillson has coached four NCAA champions in seven different events, and since 1974, 10 U.S. National Champions have been crowned champion under the training of Coach Jim Stillson.
In 1990 and 1995, Stillson was named the NCAA Women’s Diving Coach of the Year and in 1998, he was named the NCAA Men’s Diving Coach of the Year. On the conference level, his success with his SMU athletes have earned 44 conference individual championships and numerous conference Diver of the Year awards. Stillson himself has earned 15 conference Diving Coach of the Year honors, most recently, in 2014 and 2015, thanks to the help of his Mustang Divers and Devin Burnett in particular, who swept the American Athletic Conference in all three diving events, in 2013-14 which led Burnett to be named the AAC’s 2014 Most Outstanding Diver.
Stillson has served the sports governing body, USA Diving in numerous capacities. He has served as one of the U.S.A. Diving National Team Coaches from 1987-1991 and again in 1997. Stillson has coached the U.S.A. National Diving Team in competition in Europe, Australia, China and the Soviet Union. He is a member of the NCAA Diving Committee.
During his years of serving the diving community, Jim Stillson has received different awards. He received the Mike Malone Memorial Award in 1992, given for outstanding contributions to diving by the national governing body of the sport, U.S.A. Diving. Stillson’s success earned him the United States Olympic Committee Diving Coach of the Year Award in 1999.
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy
2014
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy is known worldwide as one of Open Water Swimming’s most respected leaders. Perhaps his greatest contribution to open water swimming was his role in placing a marathon 10K swim permanently in the Olympic Games program. He is a member of the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee (TOWSC) and a member of the Board of Directors of the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame. Cassidy has served in nearly every role in the sport; a former professional marathon swimmer, a record breaking channel swimmer; a National Team Coach; USA Swimming and FINA Administrator; Olympic official, race announcer, race director, and strong advocate of the sport.
Cassidy’s dedication to the sport has been recognized by his peers as well as the international swimming community. He was awarded USA Swimming’s highest honor, the prestigious “USA Swimming Award”, which is given annually to the individual or organization with the most outstanding contributions to the sport of swimming. Sid was a technical expert for the “USA Swimming Open Water Swimming Safety Task Force”. His recommendations were ultimately accepted by the FINA Bureau as a concrete means to improve safety in its open water swimming competitions.
Sid has worked tirelessly on nearly every continent for over four decades as an athlete, coach, race director, promoter, administrator, referee, lecturer and FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Chairman. He has balanced a long term vision with pragmatism in organizing and running the Olympic 10K Marathon Swim; the FINA 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup; and the FINA Open Water Swimming Grand Prix during his role with FINA.
Sid Cassidy’s early passion for open water swimming was developed under his coach and mentor, Bob Mattson, in the early 1970’s in Avondale, Pennsylvania. Cassidy was ranked as high as fourth in the world as a professional marathon swimmer in 1979, a feat which is amazing if you consider Sid was lifeguarding at the time and open water swimming was just something fun to do. He wasn’t even focused on training, just something he did in his spare time. He swam several “Around the Island Swim” 36k (22.5 mile) marathon swims in Atlantic City and has competed in professional marathon races in Chicago, Canada, England, France and Egypt. Sid has competed in the famous, La Toque 24 hour swim, the Bay of Chaleurs and the Nile River 27 mile Marathon Swim. He coached and swam on a record-setting, double crossing of the English Channel by the USA National Team in 1991, where he still remains one of the English Channel relay record holders. Cassidy was inducted as an Honor Administrator in to the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2005.
In addition to all his accolades and accomplishments in the open water swimming world, Sid has had just as much success in the pool as both a swimmer and a coach. As a collegiate swimmer, he attended NC State University and UCLA. He was a three-time Division 1 NCAA All American and was a gold medalist eleven times in twelve races at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships for North Carolina State University. As a coach, Sid has consistently led teams and individuals to success at every level. He has coached on the collegiate level at the University of Tampa and Florida State University in an assistant coach role, and was named head coach at James Madison University and the University of Miami. He was Aquatics Director for Atlantic City, where he and ISHOF Gold Medallion winner, Mayor Jim Whelan began one of the first of its kind in the Northeast, Mannar minority swimming program. In 2005, he became the Aquatics Director and Head Coach at the Saint Andrews Prep School in Boca Raton. He has been named “Florida High School Coach of the Year” four times while at Saint Andrews: Boys in 2008, and Girls, 2009, 2012 and 2013.
Sid is married to Kara Keenan Cassidy, Swim School Director at Saint Andrews School. They have two children, Quinn and Kate, both extraordinary swimmers and water polo players. Quinn attends the University of Florida as a member of the UF swim team, while Kate focuses mostly on water polo and attends Saint Andrews.
Unselfish dedication, unflagging perseverance, creative vision, enthusiastic leadership, entertaining speaking style and a larger than life personality are all examples that best capture the essence and character of Sid Cassidy.
Olga Pinciroli
2014
It was 1989, when Olga Pinciroli first organized women’s water polo in Brazil by securing a sponsorship that allowed the team, that was not yet considered an official team by the federation, to participate in a championship in Alhambra, CA. After that performance, the Brazilian Aquatic Federation agreed to create Women’s Water Polo (WWP) of Brazil. It was because of Olga’s involvement, and her tenacity in obtaining sponsorships, that the Brazilian Women’s Water Polo Team participated in so many international tournaments and competitions.
In 1990, Olga was confirmed as the Director of the Brazilian Federation WWP during the World Championships in Perth, Australia. According to the President at that time, she was “a director with presidential power”. She remained director until 2003. In 2012, Olga was asked to return to her unique position of CEO/Director of the Brazilian Federation, WWP, due to the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games, which were to be held in her country of Brazil.
She has organized the Brazilian WWP team to be internationally competitive. She stimulated the coach’s interchange of ideas; organized both regional and national events, as well as one of two international championships; brought the junior and the national teams together to practice; brought and worked with the sports media to follow women’s water polo; and gained the respect and partnership of the clubs, to organize the practices and the tournaments. The Brazilian team won the silver medal at the Pan-American Games, held in Winnipeg, Canada in 1999.
Olga organized beach tournaments, acquired important sponsorships, which enabled the national team the freedom to plan its schedule in a yearly timeline. She developed an alignment of goals and values, focusing on having integration among all the members of the Brazilian delegation: players, coaches, officials, physical trainers, doctors, and leaders. As an active member of this group of talented and passionate participants, she helped bring forth an intensive movement. A goal was to have woman’s water polo included as an event at the Olympic Games. She was a leader in this movement, having earned respect among woman’s sports figures of other countries. The goal of the inclusion of women’s water polo was finally achieved and realized at the Olympic Games, held in Sydney Australia in 2000.
She has led Brazilian Water Polo for 15 years, and during that time period, she has brought forth values and teachings that strongly contribute to the everyday professional sports, and to the family life of the players. She celebrated those 15 years in a farewell in 2003. She has been recognized for her contributions to women’s water polo with many accolades and awards, and even has a prestigious award named after her – “The Olga Pinciroli Trophy”, which is given to the winner of the Brazilian Woman’s Water Polo Championships.
Olga Pinciroli has been the Brazilian women’s water polo inspiration, and is the best example possible that dreams can become reality. She has talent, is a tireless worker, and has held inspiring positions that have positively influenced others in and outside the sport of women’s water polo!
Miwako Homma
2014
Miwako Homma, of Japan, has been involved in synchronized swimming on all levels; elite athlete, author, professor, judge, evaluator, official and coach, Miwako Homma has participated in all realms.
As an athlete, Miwako was the 1984 bronze medalist in both the solo and duet events at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. In addition, she won the bronze medal in both the solo and the team events at the 1982 World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She has coached Japan’s National
Team from 1986 to 1991, and was on the coaching staff for the 1986 and 1990 World Championship Teams. Miwako has been a FINA synchronized swimming judge from 1994 to present, a FINA synchronized swimming evaluator from 2000 to the present, as well as serving as a member of the FINA Technical Committee from 2000 to present.
She has edited the synchronized section of the “FINA Handbook”, as well as the “Figures Section” of the “FINA Manual”. Miwako serves on the Board of Directors for the Japan Swimming Federation; is chairperson for Japan’s Synchronized Swimming Committee; and is a professor at the Institute of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of Teukuba. She has written several academic journal articles involving the techniques employed in synchronized swimming, and has done extensive research analyzing the “eggbeater (rotary) kick” which is utilized in synchronized swimming today.
Miwako Homma has made great contributions to the sport of synchronized swimming over the past 30 years and proudly represents Japan on the international stage for her sport.
Cynthia Potter
2014
Cynthia Potter won 28 nationals to become the most winning woman diver in U.S. history. She retired in 1980 and no one has broken her record yet. She has also won 20 gold medals in world competitions and she was voted “World Diver of the Year” three times. Cynthia competed in the sport of diving for the USA for a record 20 years, both on the springboard and the platform.
She has been given many awards, some of which include:, the “I” from Indiana University, and the 1998 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Diver in 1986, is a member of the Lamar High School Hall of Fame, is a member of the Indiana University Athletic Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the World Acrobatic Society Gallery of Honor in 2001.
Since hanging up her suit, Potter has continued with just as successful a career out of the water, but sticking to what she loved best: diving. Cynthia is a Trustee for the United States Diving Foundation, a volunteer for “Champions of Life”, an outreach program of the USOC, was the diving coach at SMU from 1981-1984, diving coach of the University of Arizona from 1984-1996, and was owner and head coach of Arizona Diving, a club program in Tucson, from 1984-1996. She has been a volunteer for Special Olympics, and for the U.S. Academy of Youth Sports Leadership in various cities, sponsored by the USOC, has been an International diving judge for the U.S.; Elected to the USA Diving Board of Directors through 2004; served on the ISHOF Board of Directors, 2000-2005; was co-chair of USA Diving’s campaign to raise funds to benefit young divers; and served on almost every committee for USA Diving since her retirement in 1980.
Potter IS diving, when it comes to television. She has been an expert analyst for most high profile events over the past 30+ years, some of those events include: ABC Sports for their Olympic coverage in 1984 (Los Angeles) and for the Olympic Trials in 1984; NBC’s triplecast coverage of diving at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona; the Olympic Games on NBC in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, as well as the Olympic Trials; the USA Diving National Championships that have appeared on television since 1984; and the Men and Women’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships since 1997.
“She has been a great ambassador for USA Diving”, says Linda Paul, President and CEO of USA Diving, Cynthia and her husband, Peter Lasser, established the Benjamin Foundation Coaches Performance Award, based on results from Olympic Games and World Championships. The gift to the United States Diving Foundation was made possible thanks to the efforts of Cynthia and Peter. Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin were Peter’s great aunt and uncle, and Peter now serves as a trustee of the Benjamin Foundation. Barets O. Benjamin was an intercollegiate diving champion at Yale.
Cynthia has been the driving force that put USA Diving on the path to begin a serious fund raising effort. Thanks to Cynthia, USA Diving has created an event called “Rings of Honor”, USA Diving’s own Hall of Fame that celebrates the stellar history of USA Diving and honors those who have achieved excellence and contributed to the success of the sport. The first “Ring of Honor” event was held at the 2012 Olympic Trials and USA Diving was able to formally recognize important individuals in the sport.
Cynthia is always willing and ready to give back to her sport. It has been said, “She puts her heart into all that she does…with both her time and her talents.” With the efforts of Cynthia Potter, her dedication, commitment and love of the sport, USA Diving can only continue to grow and flourish and become a premier sport in the United States. Cynthia has certainly been there for others and has great compassion. By her leadership, she has sown seeds of philanthropy that will benefit others for generations to come.
Wally James
2014
Wally James has been one of the most prolific aquatic industry volunteers of the last 30 years and by anyone’s definition is the perfect example of a “waterpark safety professional.” He has been engaged in the business of safety in the leisure and more conventional industries since the early 1960’s. His training and experience extend from the advent of OSHA, and its industrial development, and the early issues involving snow-ski bindings, through the many steps of evolution in the leisure industries. He was the first President of the WWA, and has led the development of APSP, an ASTM standards for special use pools. He has been a steward in waterpark safety, and has written a book about the development of safety standards for the waterpark industry, as well as numerous papers and articles in most industry publications regarding waterpark safety and operations. He is known as an inveterate trainer and teacher.
Wally has presented numerous seminars for AIMS, WWA and IAAPA, to name a few, and has spent countless hours on ASTM, the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals (APSP), chairing the “APSP-9 Standard”, and now serves on the technical committee for the International Code Council (ICC). He has been the chair of the WWA Safety Committee since its inception, and was instrumental in developing the landmark publication “WWA Considerations for Operating Safety and Waterpark Signs”. He is known as a no-nonsense expert, and operates his own safety consulting business. His influence toward safety within the waterpark industry has helped to create a safer environment for all those involved and all those who enjoy waterparks.
In 2012, James was awarded the coveted “George Millay Waterpark Award” by AIMS, the first time the award was given to an individual who has made “significant contributions to water ride and waterpark safety.” Wally was recognized for his years of exemplary service in the field or waterpark safety.
James is President of his consulting business, Con-Serv Associations, Inc., specializing in the areas of engineering, administration, risk management, maintenance, construction and operations. Wally performs safety inspections, consultation and lawsuit defense for a variety of amusement park clients, including a large number of family entertainment centers.
Robert “Bob” Burnside
2014
Bob is perhaps the best known and most iconic lifeguard in the United States. His contributions to water safety are extraordinary. His love of aquatics was probably most influenced by his stepfather, 1920 Olympian and ISHOF Honoree, Stubby (Harold Herman) Krueger, and his mother, Jane Mackenzie, who was a Ziegfield Follies dancer.
In his early years, Bob was selected 22 times to the “All American Swim Team”, and three times to the “All American Water Polo Team”. In high school, he was the national record holder in the 100 yard backstroke and the 120 yard IM. He was the first high school swimmer in the US to break the one minute barrier in the 100 yard backstroke!
Bob was hired as an ocean lifeguard by Los Angeles County in 1951. When a representative of Surf Lifesaving Australia met with Los Angeles County leaders, Bob was appointed to become the president of what was to be called the “Surf Life Saving Association of America”, created solely to compete in an international lifesaving competition to be held in Australia during the year of the 1956 Olympics. Bob was a member of that team, which had never competed in an international lifesaving competition. Bob placed third in the international belt race at Torquay Beach.
In 1963, Bob invited lifeguards from various lifeguard agencies in Southern California to meet and discuss the concept of creating a true national association of professional ocean lifeguards. The various delegates agreed, and in 1964, the “Surf Life Saving Association of America” was formally created as a nonprofit organization of professional beach lifeguards. Bob was elected president and served in that capacity for four years. The organization changed its name twice, and it is known today as the “United States Lifesaving Association”.
In 1967, Bob served as manager of a new competition team, which toured and competed in Australia and in New Zealand. The following year, 1968, he toured the East Coast of the US in an effort to promote membership and to broaden the interest in and to help move the organization toward a true national base. Bob designed and produced the revolutionary plastic “Burnside Rescue Can” (patrol can), which is now a standard for lifeguards worldwide, and an iconic symbol for beach lifeguards. It was the symbol for the TV Series “Baywatch”.
Professionally, in Los Angeles, Bob was instrumental as a member of the affirmative action committee to mandate women’s rights to take the beach lifeguard test that led to the hiring of the first female ocean lifeguards by the department. He eventually rose to become the chief lifeguard of Los Angeles County. During his tenure, Los Angeles County created the first lifeguard paramedic program, a hyperbaric chamber, lifeguard certification program and pioneered the “prevention first” concept in lifeguarding. Previously the profession had focused primarily on “reaction” to people in distress, rather then “preventing” distress. Also, during his tenure, most of the municipal beach lifeguard agencies in Los Angeles County were merged into a single county agency, which continues to exist today.
Bob is the founder of “Club Tortuga” a USLA approved Mexican water safety development project. As part of this operation, the first Spanish beach lifeguard training manual was developed, primarily as a translation of the USLA Training Manual. He also organized the development of a video depicting lifeguard issues throughout Mexico, and coordinated on site training and political support for Mexican lifeguards. Those efforts established Mexico’s first government beach lifeguard employees, now serving under the state fire division chief.
Bob earned the Australian Bronze Medallion, the Canadian and Royal Lifesaving Instructors Certificate, the New Zealand Instructor Certification and the American Red Cross Instructor Certificate for first aid and water safety. He has been certified by the USCG as a rescue board operator and he was part of the first certified Los Angeles County Diving Scuba Instructors and a longtime member of the Department’s underwater rescue and recovery unit, which was the first such team in the West!
Bob was a Grand champion in World Body Surfing in 1989, and for 13 consecutive years, the winner in his age division. He has been a masters division national champion twelve times at the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in the Iron Man, swim rescue board and rescue race events. He has been a national master’s division swim champion and a National Dorymen’s Association Champion, and winner of the Masters Inter-Mountain Downhill Ski Championship!
Mark Onstott (USA)
2013
Since 1975, Mark Onstott has been coaching boys and girls high school swimming, now in his 38th year. He has coached swimming in Iowa, Texas, and Illinois.
He coached at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa starting as the assistant coach for three years and moving to the head coach position for four years. He earned the Conference Coach of the Year title three times. As a member of the Iowa High School Swimming Coaches Association, he served as Secretary-Treasurer and was the Clinic Director of the 1981 Conference. He was State Coach of the Year in 1981 for both boys and girls.
In 1982, he moved to Texas earning State Coach of the Year honors in 1989 and Region Coach of the Year honors six times at Cy-Fair High School where he served as a member of the Texas Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association from 1985 to 1994, serving as its president and other offices.
In 1994, Onstott moved to Illinois where his high school boys coaching career continued to excel, winning eleven state high school swimming championships including every year from 2004 to 2013. From 1994 to 2001, he was the girls head swimming coach winning two girls Illinois State Championships. Since 2006, he has served as assistant girls coach. He was selected District or Sectional Coach of the Year 16 times. His New Trier High School teams have won over 900 dual meets and he has developed over 182 High School All American Swimmers.
Mark has left an indelible impression as a 38 year member of NISCA, the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association. He served as President from 2005 to 2007, fulfilling the role as President-Elect and Past President the two years preceding and past. He was a Zone Director for six years from 1997 to 2003 and has been a member of the Audit Committee from 2007 to the present. He continues to serve on the Professional Awards and Marketing Committees and has been the All-America Coordinator since 2007.
Mark has been a NISCA Clinic Speaker on three occasions, a National High School Athletic Coaches Convention speaker and has made presentations in New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and at the ASCA World Clinic three times. He has published articles for the “Athletic Journal”, “NISCA Journal” and developed a set of four DVD’s on Championship Sports for the High School Coaching Academy.
Among his honors, Mark was elected National Coach of the Year for the National High School Coaches Association (2005), the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (2005) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (2010). In 2009, he was inducted into the University of Northern Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame as an Athlete/Coach.
Chuck Hines
2013
In 1956 Chuck began his aquatic career with the YMCA. In 1958, he assumed the position of Director of Aquatics at the Minneapolis YMCA. He continued throughout his professional life as director of three cities, Minneapolis, Des Moines and Asheville, retiring after 40 years in 1996.
He started playing water polo in 1958, at age 25, shortly after becoming the Director of the Minneapolis Y and continued as player/coach at the Des Moines YMCA in Iowa from 1962 to 1966.
He was named “Y All-American” player two times and an A.A.U. Honorable Mention All-American player once.
Chuck served as Director of Aquatics at the Asheville YMCA from 1969 to 1996, starting from scratch in a small dilapidated 40 year old basement pool with one ball, no goals and a bunch of young kids who had never heard of water polo. He developed a program that in the 1970’s won ten national A.A.U. and YMCA tournament titles and posted an 80 – 8 – 1 record in dual swim meets.
Chuck discovered and developed water polo expert Bob Helmick, who went on to serve as President of FINA. He also coached six high school All-American players and won the 1966 YMCA Junior National Water Polo Championships. In April 1977, his Y girls were selected to represent the East Coast in the initial World Woman’s Water Polo Club Championships at Montreal and Quebec City in Canada, being the first U.S. team to take on the number one women’s team in the world from Holland. In July of that year, he hosted the International Women’s Tournament with his team taking second place.
In 1961, Chuck started publishing a bimonthly water polo newsletter that went out to subscribers coast to coast. In 1962, he used the newsletter to announce the first-ever High School and College All-American Teams. This was done annually until the newsletter was taken over by the American Swimming Coaches Association.
During the 1960’s, working with Al Schoenfield, he served as the water polo editor for “Swimming World” magazine and also wrote several coaching articles for “Swimming Technique”. During this time period, he served as Chairman of the A.A.U. National Woman’s Water Polo Committee and as Vice Chairman of the A.A.U. National Men’s Water Polo Committee. In the late 60’s, he served as Secretary Treasurer of the American Swimming Coaches Association and as editor of the ASCA newsletter. He was Chairman of the ASCA Water Polo Committee, when it conducted the first World Swimming Coaches Conference at ISHOF in 1969.
Chuck served on the U.S. Olympic Water Polo Committees for the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Games, which included a term as Secretary of the U.S. Men’s Team, which brought home a bronze medal in 1972 – Munich. He continued to serve as Chairman of the A.A.U. National Women’s Water Polo Committee through 1976 and was elected Chairman of the inaugural International Women’s Water Polo Committee in 1977. During this time, he continued to serve as Chairman of the YMCA National Water Polo Committee.
His 230 page book titled “Water Polo, The Y’s Way” was published on the evolution of the sport. Working with “Water Polo Planet”, he organized and chaired a committee that developed the U.S. Women’s Water Polo Hall of Fame.
Chuck has been serving as historian for “American Water Polo” magazine, writing over a dozen history articles about the sport that have been posted on the internet as well as editing another dozen articles.
He has received numerous major awards for water polo coaching and other endeavors, including the YMCA Coach of the Year in 1969 and 1973 and YMCA Distinguished Director of Physical Education Award.
He coached ten national championship teams and more than 20 All-American players.
Sue Johnson
2013
Sue Johnson (USA) is being recognized for synchronized swimming as having been the Chief Recorder and Scoring Chairperson for synchronized swimming in six Olympic Games; four FINA World Championships; three FINA World Cups; five FINA World Masters Championships; four Pan American Games; four USA Olympic Trials; six American Cup Championships; one Goodwill Game and several National Synchronized Swimming Championships (1975 to 1988 and 2005 to present).
She was the Chief Recorder and Scoring Chairperson at the Olympic Games in 1984 – Los Angeles, 1996 – Atlanta, 2000 – Sydney, 2004 – Athens, 2008 – Beijing and 2012 – London. She was Head Recorder of the World FINA Championships in 1998 – Perth, 2003 – Barcelona, 2005 – Montreal and 2007 – Melbourne. She was Chief Recorder at the FINA Masters World Championships in 2002 – Indianapolis, 2002 – Christchurch, 2006 – Stanford University, 2008 – Perth and 2010 – Gothenburg. She oversaw three FINA World Cups in 1985 – Indianapolis, 1995 – Atlanta and 2006 – Yokohama. She was the Head Recorder at the Pan American Games of 1983 – Caracas, 1987 – Indianapolis, 2007 – Rio de Janerio and 2011 – Guadalajara and the Goodwill Game in 1990 – Seattle.
She has scored four U.S. Olympic Trials, six American Cup competitions and U.S. Synchronized Swimming 1975 to 1988 and from 2005 to the present.
She was Chief of the FINA Synchronized Trophy Meets of 2007 – Rio de Janeiro and of 2012 – Mexico City, the FINA Junior Worlds of 2010 – Indianapolis and the Brazil Open of 2010.
With IBM, Sue developed scoring programs, created scoring forms for the FINA Handbook and developed a section “scoring resource” for the USA Synchronized Swimming website. She was a FINA presenter at the 2002 Chief Recorder Clinic in Dallas.
Sue received the FINA Certificate of Merit in 2005 and was a contributor to the Synchronized Swimming Hall of Fame in 1991.
Sue has also been very involved with volunteering for professional golf tournaments. She has been in charge of “Scoring Central” and helps with scoring volunteer training for all USGA events (U.S. Open, U.S. Senior Open, U.S. Women’s Open) from 1996 to the present. In addition, she has been Scoring Chair for several PGA tour events.
Sue is a teacher of mathematics at a school in Ohio and was named “Elementary Classroom Teacher” for the NE District in Ohio in 1992. In 1993, she was named Math Teacher of the Year, West District in Cleveland.
Steve Foley
2013
USA Diving High Performance Director Steve Foley is one of the best in the world at his job.
Foley joined the USA Diving staff after the 2008 Olympics and was charged with developing a plan to return the U.S. to international prominence and to the Olympic podium. The U.S. had not medaled at an Olympics since 2000 and USA Diving was looking to change that in London.
The U.S. came home from the 2012 Olympic Games with four medals, one gold, one silver and two bronze, for its best showing since 1988.
Foley, who has nearly 40 years of experience as an athlete, coach and administrator, shifted the U.S. focus from medals to performance, saying too much emphasis on medals causes extra pressure. He encouraged athletes simply to focus on performing their best and let the results fall where they may.
He placed increased importance on synchronized diving and three of the four U.S. medals won in London came in the synchronized diving events. They were the first Olympic synchronized diving medals won by U.S. divers. He also recognized the importance of looking ahead and began developing plans for 2016, 2020 and beyond, well before the 2012 Olympic Team was selected. Foley implemented a Junior Elite Performance Squad, holding training camps and creating other opportunities for junior divers.
Prior to coming to the U.S., Foley had served as the National Performance Director for British Diving since 2002.
As a consultant for British Diving beginning in 1999, he created the organization’s strategic plans, selection procedures and training workouts. He began a full-time role as National Performance Director in 2002 and his leadership helped guide Great Britain to its first Olympic diving medal in 44 years with a silver medal in men’s synchronized platform at the 2004 Games in Athens.
His responsibilities with British Diving included managing the elite diving program and overseeing coach training programs as well as Junior Olympic and Junior Talent programs. Through the successful junior program, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Tom Daley was identified.
Foley got his start in diving in Australia, where he was a three-time Olympian (1976, 1980 and 1984) and the first Australian male diver to final in both springboard and platform at the Games (1984). He served as Head Diving Coach and Australian National Coach at the Australian Institute of Sport from 1989 to 1995 and was Head Coach of Australia’s 1992 Olympic Team after attending the 1988 Games as an Assistant Coach. In all, Foley has attended the past 10 Olympic Games in a number of capacities. Foley has coached 15 Olympic finalists, including two medalists and 37 national champions.
From 1979 to 1982, Foley trained under Dr. Ron O’Brien, an eight-time Olympic coach who retired as USA Diving’s High Performance Director in July 2008. In 1983 and 1984, he trained under Steve McFarland while training and working as an age group coach at the University of Miami.
Foley also has a number of years of broadcasting and media experience, working as a diving commentator at the World Championships, World Cup, Commonwealth Games, Goodwill Games and the Olympic Games for a variety of media outlets. His broadcast experience also includes golf and tennis, as he has done radio reporting for the Masters, British Open and Australian Open. Steve has made regular appearances as the diving judge on the new television show “SPLASH” (ABC), starring Greg Louganis as coach of the celebrities.
Theodore “Ted” Boyett, BS, MS
2013
Ted Boyett has been involved in recreational swimming for over 50 years, currently serving as the Pool Manager for the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District in Wisconsin. In this position, he oversees the entire aquatic operation: budgeting, personnel, programs, marketing and maintenance. Under his auspices the pool has increased revenue through increased programming and participation while reducing expenditures to achieve approximately 10% budget surplus in his first year. It appears his second year will be a repeat performance.
He assists the Physical Education Department Coordinator teaching Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor classes. As part of the W.S.I. class, the instructor candidates teach 3rd and 5th grade students from the six district elementary schools for five lessons throughout the school year. Third graders focus on learn to swim while the 5th grade students learn life long skills including kayaking, basic rescue skills, and self-rescue skills. This is a model program. Approximately 1,000 – 1,200 elementary students are reached each year, in addition to the hundreds of middle and high school students.
Ted served as the coordinator of Aquatics and managed the Tootell Aquatic Center at the University of Rhode Island for 13 years from 1995 to 2007. During that time, there were many accomplishments set by the Tootell Aquatic Program under his guidance and the aegis of the office of Recreational Services within the Department of Athletics. Several significant achievements include an increase in participation by 5% per year and a 682% increase in non student recreation fee revenues.
While at URI, Ted received, among other awards, the United States Water Fitness Association’s Top Aquatic Program in the Nation 1998 to 1999, 2003, 2005; the Top University Program in the Nation 1997 to 2006; and the Top 100 Aquatic Directors in the Nation 1997 to 2006.
Ted spent 13 years as Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Aquatic Director at Georgia State University. He taught Physical Education, Continuing Education and Recreational Services. He ended his collegiate swimming and diving team coaching career with a lifetime record of 143 wins and 87 losses, built one of the strongest recreational scuba programs in the Southeast and initiated sports groups for individuals with and without disabilities in addition to his duties as Aquatics Director.
During the previous four years, from 1979 to 1982, at Josephine County Parks Department, Grants Pass, Oregon, Ted established sound operations at both of the county’s two new aquatic complexes, which he helped design. He built strong programs in collaboration with local schools along with offering sound recreational opportunities and varied swimming lessons for the general public. Swim World, one of the two complexes, was considered to offer one of the regions premiere infant and toddler programs.
Prior to the Josephine County position, 1975 to1979, Ted was the first District Administrator for North Humboldt Recreation and Park District, a special purpose California tax district in Arcata California, home of his alma mater Humboldt State. He received his Bachelor’s degree in physical education just five years earlier at Humboldt State University. As District Administrator he supervised the completion of the Arcata Natatorium and served as the Administrative agent for the Arcata-North Humboldt Recreation Authority. He wrote and administered several CETA grants. The recreation area is used by thirteen school districts, Humboldt State University and the College of Redwoods used the N.H.R.P.D. facilities in addition to local residents.
Ted began his full time aquatic career at Lewis and Clark College, in Portland, Oregon, after receiving his Masters degree from Stanford University in 1971. During his four year tenure at Lewis and Clark, the women’s swim team, which he initiated, took two league championships and the water polo team, with Ted as a player/coach, finished second in the Oregon Water Polo League. Lewis and Clark was host for the Portland Interscholastic League swimming meets, hosted regional A.A.U. synchronized swim meets and sponsored both water polo and synchronized swimming clinics. In addition, he served on staff at the American Red Cross National Aquatic School in Seaside Oregon for three years.
In his storied career, Ted has received numerous professional awards from the American Red Cross, the U.S. Water Fitness Association, Aquatics International, American Association for Leisure and Recreation and Who’s Who in Aquatic Leadership.
Joost Bierens, MD, PhD
2013
Professor Joost Bierens of the Netherlands has been involved in aquatic safety as a lifeguard, key member of major organizations, author, researcher, academic professor, congress chairman and international facilitator. His name is linked with some of the contemporary greatest achievements in the history of world lifesaving.
His first experience with water safety was working as a beach lifeguard during medical school vacations, from 1974 to 1980, when he became interested in drowning, other aquatic emergencies and water safety. It was during this time that he finished his first epidemiological study: “Drowning Along the Dutch Beaches”. He continued drowning related research while he was a resident in anaesthesiology from 1984 to 1989 in emergency medicine. In 1996, he completed his PhD thesis: “Drowning in the Netherlands, Pathophysiology, Epidemiology and Clinical Studies”. Inspired by the observation that very little had improved since his lifeguard period, he coordinated, on behalf of the Maatschappij tot Redding van Drenkelingen (Society to Rescue People from Drowning, established in 1767), the multi-disciplinary, international and interactive World Congress on Drowning from 1996 to 2002. 174 co-authors contributed to the first version of the “Handbook on Drowning”. He was the coordinating editor of the standard work on drowning, “The Handbook on Drowning, Prevention, Rescue and Treatment” (2006), in which he brought over 179 contributors from over 40 countries. This was the single, most important written initiative on this topic and is considered to be the “Bible” of water safety. In 2008, he contributed to the second most comprehensive book, the “Handbook on Water Safety and Lifesaving”, with 144 contributors from 22 countries. He has published over 130 scientific peer-reviewed articles and chapters on lifeguarding, drowning, hypothermia and water safety.
Joost is also a regular national and international keynote speaker and teacher on water safety related subjects, from a practical rescue level to the clinical intensive care level. Since the origin of the idea to obtain a global focus on the issue of drowning in 1996, he orchestrated, as Project Coordinator and Co-Chairman, the World Drowning Congress in 2002 – Amsterdam. This was the most comprehensive and organized initiative in the history of water safety which brought together over 450 experts from 40 countries. Unlike other initiatives up to that point, this Congress was open to everyone interested in sharing ideas and research without limiting its audience to specific membership. A few years later, at the World Water Safety Congress in Portugal- 2007 and the World Drowning Congress on Drowning Prevention in 2011 – Vietnam, Joost served in a more inspirational role and presented numerous water safety studies. Joost was again one of the key people in the World Water Safety Congress in 2007 – Portugal and in the World Congress on Drowning Prevention in 2011 – Vietnam, where he presented numerous water safety studies. Speaking fluent English, Dutch and Spanish, he has the talent to motivate and engage the interest of his audience, who almost hold their breath during his lectures, both because of his knowledge and because of his marvellous sense of humor.
Not mentioned prior is Joost’s professional involvement in emergency and disaster medicine. He was appointed “First Professor in Emergency Medicine” in the Netherlands at the Department of Anaesthesiology of the VU University Medical Center until his term ended in 2009. During this time, he published research articles and books on a variety of issues in the domains of emergency and disaster medicine.
Joost has not only worked for several decades in the fields of drowning prevention, rescue and treatment, but he also remains a brilliant example of modesty. As a husband and father who manages to find time between family, work and voluntarism in the field of international lifesaving, he serves as inspiration for young researchers and lifesavers around the world.
Carol “Penny” Pence Taylor (USA)
2012
Carol “Penny” Pence Taylor has done it all in competitive swimming, as an athlete, competitor, coach, official and administrator. In 1948, she was a member of the US Olympic Team competing in the 200 meter breaststroke in London. She was a member of the Lafayette Swim Club in Indiana, swimming for Hall of Fame Coach Dick Papenguth while attending Purdue University. She was a member of the U.S. Team for the first Pan American Games in 1951, winning a gold medal in the 3×100 meter medley relay and a bronze medal in the 200 meter breaststroke. Penny was a six-time U.S. National
Champion and American record holder in the 100 meter, 200 meter and 250 meter breaststroke events for a span of five years. In 1951, she was also one of the ten finalists of the coveted “A.A.U. Sullivan Award” for the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Penny competed in Masters swimming for over forty years, and has been a National Champion and record holder in breaststroke events in her age group.
For 35 years as a professional swim coach in the St. Louis area, she organized and developed three swim teams. Ferguson – Ritenour YMCA Team won three National Women’s Team Championships. The Parkway Swim Club, a team of 400 swimmers, won numerous state and district team titles. For 12 years, she was club coach with Tom Jager, three-time gold medal Olympian in the sprint freestyle. Penny is a charter member of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), and the first woman to be elected to ASCA’s Board of Directors.
As a volunteer and administrator, Penny has served in many positions for USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport. At the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games, Penny was the team leader for USA men’s and women’s teams in Los Angles and Barcelona. She was Head Manager at the 1986 FINA World Championships in Madrid and the 1991 FINA World Championships in Perth. She was Manager for the United States Swimming National Teams in numerous international competitions. She was a volunteer deck marshal for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
She was Chef de Mission (head of delegation) for all aquatic sports for the 1994 FINA World Championships in Rome, the 1998 FINA World Championships in Perth and the 2001 FINA World Championships in Fukuoka. She continued in this capacity at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona 2003, Montreal 2005, Melbourne 2007, Rome 2009, Shanghai 2011 and in Barcelona again in 2013.
She was a member and secretary of the Olympic International Operations Committee of USA Swimming for 24 years; this body determines policy and procedures for all swimming competition of the National Team in international events. She will begin her eighth term in September, 2012. She has served as Central Zone Director of USA Swimming and was a member of the Board of Directors of USA Swimming for five years. She is a member of the Convention Committee for the United States Aquatic Sports Annual Convention. In 1999, she was the recipient of the prestigious United States Swimming Award presented annually to one person for their contribution to USA Swimming. In 2005, she was inducted into the Purdue Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame.
Penny is organized, productive and admired for her efficiency above and beyond the pool. Her friendly and efficient manner has placed her in high esteem.
Sandy Nitta
2012
Sandy Nitta began her water polo career first by participating in competitive swimming and developing her swimming skills. A member of Hall of Fame Coach Don Gambril’s City of Commerce Swim Team, she became a member of the 1964 USA Olympic Swim Team competing in the breaststroke. After her competitive career, she coached swimming for a few years, but soon turned her attention to the coaching and development of water polo, which has stayed with her ever since.
In 1971, Sandy started the City of Commerce Water Polo program and coached the team to many national championships. She soon moved into positions of leadership, serving as the USA’s Women’s International Chairperson from 1976 to 1978. From 1980 to the present, she has given water polo clinics all around the world including New Zealand, Australia, England, Norway, Sweden, Spain, Singapore, India, France, Germany, Brazil and Mexico. In 1977, Commerce hosted the first-ever Women’s International Tournament in the United States and Sandy was the Tournament Director. She was one of the original coaches who began the push for the inclusion of women’s water polo at the Olympic Games, which became a reality in 2000, Sydney.
Since her beginning days, Sandy has had an extensive head water polo coaching career in women’s water polo. She was the first Head Coach for the United States Junior National Team (1979). For 17 years (1980-1996, 1998), she was head coach of the USA Senior National Team. She was also head coach of the Queensland, Australia State Team (1996) and the Brazilian Senior National Team (1999-2002) where she coached at the first Pan American Games to include women’s water polo and the first-ever wins against the United States by the Brazilian team. For two years (2000-2002), she was coach of the Tualatin Hills Water Polo Club in Portland, Oregon and then Head Coach of Team Vegas in Las Vegas (1992-2000) and currently Team Vegas/Henderson (2002 to present). Other positions of leadership include: U.S. Water Polo Masters Advisory Committee (2008-2011), USA Water Polo Hall of Fame Committee (2006-2010), USA Water Polo Board of Directors (2010 to present), U.S. Olympic Development Director of the West Region (2011 to present) and Co-Chairperson of the U.S.A. USA Water Polo Coaches Association.
Sandy was coach to the gold medal team at the 2006 FINA Masters World Championships and the women’s 50+ division at the 2012 Senior Games. She is the first and only female water polo coach in the U. S. Water Polo Hall of Fame and in her honor, the “Sandy Nitta Distinguished Women’s Coach Award” is presented annually by United States Water Polo.
Sandy’s greatest influence to her water polo players under her guidance is her character. As a competitive swimmer, she was short making it difficult competing against taller swimmers. She would be leading by a body length before the turn and come out of the turn a half body length behind. But her drive and toughness led to a position on the Olympic Team. She fought for the “underdog”. When she began coaching the City Of Commerce Water Polo Team, it consisted mostly of lower income, Hispanic families who also were not tall nor came from competitive backgrounds. Yet, they achieved success. When coaching the USA Women’s National Team in the 1980’s, she had 125 to 150 players across the entire United States. Even when coaching them outside of the California hot-bed of water polo, Sandy achieved success from her players. It shows greatness and sound character.
Sandy enjoys fresh water fishing, playing video games and playing poker. But you may want to think twice before putting any money on the poker table. She made it to the final table at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas – a real smart competitor.
Stephanie Haeberli
2012
Stephanie Haeberli grew up in Switzerland and spent her youth participating in many sport activities from skiing to classical ballet. At the age of 18, she heard about synchronized swimming and joined the synchro club in Bern. While she was in school, she started reorganizing the club and changed the goals from water ballet and shows to more of a competitive sport activity in the club.
From 1963 to 1974, she was an active synchronized swimming competitor winning the silver medal duet at the Swiss Championships St. Moritz in 1973. From 1969 to 1985, she was a synchronized swimming coach at all levels. Since 1975, she has been the youth and sport expert for the Swiss recreational program. From 1972 to 2000, she was the President of Synchronized Swimming in Switzerland, a member of the Bureau of the Swiss Swimming Federation and initiator of Swiss Open Synchronized Swimming Championships in 1976. Stephanie has also been a synchronized swimming judge and referee at national and international levels since 1973, serving at the Olympic Games, World Championships and other FINA and European events.
From 1970 to 1991, she was a member of the Board of The Bern Polo Club which included the aquatic disciplines of swimming, diving and synchronized swimming. She served in positions of responsibility such as in synchronized swimming, becoming an executive member, treasurer and more. Since 1973, she has organized, lectured and participated at judges and coaches clinics at all levels for FINA, LEN and the Swiss Federation. She is a FINA Evaluator for the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and Pan American Games. From 1975 to 1985, she was Head of the Swiss Delegation for all FINA disciplines at World Championships and European Championships.
Stephanie’s greatest contribution to synchronized swimming was her involvement with FINA’s Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee. For 28 years from 1981 to 2009, she served FINA’s TSSC three years as member, eight years as Honorary Secretary, four years as Vice-Chairman and 13 years as Chairman.
As Chairman of the FINA TSSC, her major accomplishments and changes to synchronized swimming include:
• The deletion of figures competition from senior competition and replacing it with technical routines
(initiated by Judy McGowan and Mustapha Larfaoui)
• Adding a Free Combination as a new medal event to the program
• Changing the goal to receive higher scores from time spent being underwater to the weight that can be lifted above the water.
• Establishing a combination of human evaluation and statistical computer analysis for qualifying judges.
• Separating Technical Routines and Free Routines as two medal events at World Championships.
In 1990, Stephanie was awarded the International Olympic Committee Prize for Outstanding Contributions to Female Olympic Sports. In 1996, she was awarded the FINA Gold Pin for her efforts in synchronized swimming.
William H. Walker
2012
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Bill Walker served as President of USA Diving from 1998 to 2002 and Immediate Past President from 2002 to 2008. His long-range plan for USA Diving was instrumental in enabling the transition from a small, volunteer-driven organization to a strong one with a CEO and Board of Directors. He served on the USD Olympic/International Committee as the U.S. National Team Leader at the DDR and USSR duel meets. He was Commissioner in Indianapolis at the VI FINA World Cup and served as the Technical Committee USA member of the Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas for the Pan American Games. In addition, he
served as United States Diving Foundation Founding Trustee and Chair; a Member of the USD Board of Directors; Chairman of the Business Affairs Advisory Committee; contributing author, Legal Responsibilities of Meet Officials and author of Documentation- USD Safety Manual. He helped publish the USD Dryland Manual in 2009.
Bill is a well-admired diving coach and created St. Petersburg Diving in Florida. He implemented a national program to register “learn to dive” and other local league divers with the City of St. Petersburg. U.S. Diving and corporate sponsors attracted over 300 participants, the largest registered diving program in the U.S. at that time. Walker initiated one of diving’s first affirmative minority outreach programs through his relationship with minority USA National Team athlete, Darrell Moore, increasing minority participation by more than 15%. Documentation on this program is still being used today. As the head diving coach at St. Petersburg Catholic High School since 1996, he has coached state champions and U.S. Junior Olympics National qualifiers. Many St. Petersburg divers won NCAA Division I scholarships. His divers have earned positions at over nine colleges and universities.
Walker has been a certified United States and FINA Judge since 1982, officiating at the U.S. Olympic Trials, the NCAA Men’s National Championships, the USSR and DDR dual meets, the Goodwill Games in Moscow, the USA International FINA competitions and the Pan American Games in Havana, (1990), Argentina (1994) and Canada (1999). He was the Event Referee at the FINA World Junior Championships in Tucson, Arizona. Walker served as Diving Chair for the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and on the Code Revision Committee for U.S. Synchronized Swimming, Inc..
Bill Walker is a 1968 University of Miami graduate and a graduate of Stetson University College of Law. He was a member of the Hurricanes Swimming and Diving Team. Walker’s service to his family, community, country and swimming spans more than four decades.
Walker received the U.S. Olympic Committee Volunteer Coach of the Year Award, Aquatics International’s “Who’s Who” Award, the “Glen McCormick Memorial” Award for Outstanding Service and the City of St. Petersburg Volunteer of the Year Award. In his law practice, he has received the Rotary International Paul- Harris Fellow, the “Heroes Among Us Award” for public service outside the practice of law, as well as the “Barney Award” for professionalism and ethics in the practice of law.
An “AV Rated” Licensed Attorney since October 1973, Walker has been in private practice in the field of business and commercial trial law since 1977. He built a thriving law practice, one client at a time, representing individuals and businesses locally, nationally and internationally. He served as Assistant State Attorney of the 6th Judicial Circuit U.S. District Court, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal and the U.S. Supreme Court. He was also the Editor at the Stetson Law Review and has published and been featured in many law publications.
David Joe Hunsaker
2012
Joe Hunsaker was a rare individual whose innate creative and entrepreneurial spirit turned a passion into a lifetime of service to the aquatics community.
He was the designer of over one hundred 50 meter competition and recreational pools for swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming. He developed water feature designs for leisure pools including the very first leisure pool in the United States. Hunsaker championed competitive swimmers and their pools for over sixty years. Most elite swimmers past, present and future have or will compete in one of Joe’s pools.
In 1970, Joe and James E. “Doc” Counsilman PhD, Joe’s former swimming coach, joined forces to create Counsilman / Hunsaker & Associates (CHA), a consulting firm serving architects and owners in the creation of international class swimming pools. Counsilman’s reputation of developing Olympians and world record holders, more than any other coach, and Joe’s experience as a champion swimmer, management company owner and award-winning designer soon brought prestigious projects to their door.
CHA’s corporate philosophy has always been advocating for swimmers behind the scenes. He assembled key professionals and friends with swimming backgrounds who enabled his business to thrive. The firm currently has offices in St. Louis, Denver, and Los Angeles serving a national and international clientele.
Joe became a champion swimmer giving him insight into the pools he was designing. At 130 lbs and 6’1” was planning to try out for the basketball team, but while waiting for that season to begin, he went out for the swim team and soon realized he had a talent for swimming. He won a National YMCA Championship (1955), the NCAA National Championship in the 200 yard individual medley (1958) while at the University of Illinois and one AAU U.S. National Championship also in the 200 yard individual medley (1959).
Joe was active on the national scene as a Board Member of the National Swimming Pool Foundation, the International Swimming Hall of Fame and ISHOF’s International Congress. He was President of the National Swim and Recreation Association and a board member of the Internationale Academie fur Baderbauten und Freizeit Hallen in Germany. He was Chairman of the Public Pool Council of the National Spa and Pool Institute and member of the Safe Diving Research Committee.
Joe was editorial advisor for Aquatics Magazine International and an editor for “Swimming Pools – A Guide to Their Planning, Design and Operations”. He served as a U.S. Delegate to the International Academy for Aquatic Sport and Recreation Facilities and was President of Midwest Pool Management Corporation, as well as the Swim Facility Operators Association of America. He was a member of the Editorial Committee for the CNCA and many other aquatic organizations. He has published over 20 articles and periodicals on subjects relating to pool designs.
Hunsaker was recognized as one of the premier designers of international class competition pools, receiving numerous Facility of Merit Awards, and four Gold medal national awards for design excellence. He was principal in charge of building venues for the 1996 Olympic Games (Atlanta), 1994 Commonwealth Games (Victoria), 1993 World University Games (Buffalo), 1998 Goodwill Games (Long Island, NY) and 1987 Pan American Games (Indianapolis).
Other CHA pools include: Stanford University, the University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Ohio State University, University of Georgia, Cleveland State University, University of Arkansas, St. Peters RecPlex in Missouri, Central Oahu Regional Park International Swim Center, Cambridge University, New York University, University of Iowa, Franklin-Marshall College, Georgetown Preparatory School, Guam Sports Complex, Indiana University, Kenyon College, NRH20 Water Park, Lahaina Aquatic Center in Maui, Miami University, Northwestern University, Southern Utah University, and Mississippi State University, Wesleyan, University of Minnesota, Virginia Polytechnic, Slippery Rock, Mississippi State, Baylor University and MIT.
Joe Hunsaker passed away March 11, 2012 at age 74, having struggled with multiple sclerosis since 1978 and cancer recently. He is survived by his wife, Charmaine, and three children, Stephanie, Eric and Scot, who currently serves as Counsilman-Hunsaker president.
Joe loved competing, watching his children grow up, traveling and designing swimming pools for world records and for pleasure. He was a generous and courageous man who will always be remembered for his kindness.
Ralph S. Goto
2012
Since 1981, Ralph S. Goto has served as Administrator of the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, Department of Emergency Services, Honolulu, Hawaii. He oversees a year-round staff of 155 full-time water safety officers and 90 part-time lifeguards on 19 of Oahu’s most popular and high-risk beaches and manages a $9 million operating budget. Goto and his professional, dedicated staff have provided life-saving rescues, first aid, and prevention education programs to millions of visitors and residents throughout his career.
A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Goto serves as the primary ocean safety resource for legislative, community, and governmental matters in the State of Hawaii. He was Honolulu’s “Manager of the Year” and received the State of Hawaii Emergency Medical Services “Dr. Livingston Wong Lifetime Achievement Award”.
Goto serves on numerous boards, committees, and coalitions in Honolulu. He is advisor to the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Board of Directors, President of the Pacific Islands Region of the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), Chair of the USLA Sign Standards Committee, a Life Member of USLA and a past member of the Rescue Committee of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS).
He served as Program Coordinator and Safety Officer of Sea Trek Hawaii and lectures at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and Kapiolani Community College. He served as Physical Director at the YMCA of Honolulu and as Head Swim Coach at the Windward YMCA Aquatics Swim Team as well as coach of the Kailua High School Swim Team. He was the Field Representative for the State of Hawaii American Red Cross and Head of the Lifeguards at the University of Hawaii-Manoa.
He has served as USLA Pacific Islands Region President, Certification Officer and Open Water Lifeguard Instructor Trainer. He is the American National Red Cross Water Safety Lifeguard Trainer and First Aid Instructor Trainer. He is the American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support Affiliate and the AHA CPR Instructor Trainer. He is the United States Department of Transportation Emergency Medical First Responder.
Internationally, he is involved with the YMCA’s programs of Scuba Diving and Surf Lifesaving serving as the “Y’s” the Aquatics Director. He is a National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI) Certified Scuba Diver, a Rescue Instructors Association Swiftwater Rescue Technician, an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise Test Technologist and Surf Lifesaving Association of New Zealand Rescue Boat Operator.
Goto has made numerous presentations some of which include: “Ho Ike I Ke Kai” (“to understand the sea”), studies on Marine Policy and Law, “Water Safety, Liability and Insurance” and “Rescue Techniques in High Surf.” He has lectured at the International Aquatic Conference in Vancouver, and conferences in Japan and New Zealand. Goto is affiliated with several National and International aquatic organizations. He has made numerous water safety presentations in Hawaii and other states, as well as Canada, Japan and Australia.
Ralph Goto is a widely published author of articles and periodicals and has written on subjects from sharks, jellyfish and marine science to drowning, injury prevention, and lifeguarding effectiveness. He has written a handbook on “Drowning: Prevention, Treatment and Rescue.”
You can be rest-assured that when visiting the island of Oahu, you will be well protected.
Richard W. Shoulberg
2011
Academy as well as GA Aquatic Club (formerly known as Foxcatcher). He has represented the United States as coach in international competitions over 17 times including the World and Pan Pacific Championships and the Pan American and Olympic Games. Honored by the American Swimming Coaches Assoc. in 1982 and 1989, Dick has produced eleven Olympians: 2000 Olympics – Maddy Crippen, Alex Fung, Guy Yimsomruay; 1992 Olympics – Dave Wharton, Dave Berkoff, Sean Killion, (the most male swimmers from any one club on the USA team); 1980 – Karin LaBerge; 1988 – Dan Jorgenson, Trina Radke, Erika Hansen, Dave Wharton; 1984 – Sue Heon. Open water champion Fran Crippen was one of his swimmers. He has also coached over 150 All Americans and numerous Senior and Junior National champions and finalists. Since 1980, his teams have finished in the top eight at Senior Nationals and his Academy teams have won five women’s National Prep School Championships and two men’s championships. In 2000 he received the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) Hall of Fame Award for high school swimming.
Even after 55 years in the coaching profession, he continues to teach pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 children, five to six classes per day in learn-to-swim, lifeguard certification and fitness training programs.
He continues to serve as a member of the Olympic International Development Committee, the Olympic International Operational Committee, the United States Swimming Steering Committee and the USS Rules Committee, among others. He has authored a chapter in the The Swim Coaching Bible and has presented clinics in over 15 countries.
But Shoulberg’s purpose is not in the number of great athletes he produced, but rather, the human qualities of citizenship he instills in each swimmer/student. Says Shoulberg swimmer and Princeton swim team graduate Alicia Aemsigger, “He cares about us as swimmers, but he cares more about us as people”.
City of Commerce Parks and Recreation Department
2011
With recent studies showing most Latino’s don’t know how to swim, and less than 2% of competitive aquatic athletes are Black and Latino, you wouldn’t think that the City of Commerce, a mostly Latino, blue-collar working community of 13,000, in east Los Angeles, would be known for aquatics. But Commerce has one of the finest aquatic facilities in the state of California and has been producing Olympians since the 1960’s. III Brenda Villa a three time Olympian will be captain of the USA Women’s Olympic Water Polo Team. Another Commerce player, Patty Cardenas, a member of the 2007 World Championship Women’s Water Polo Team is also expected to make this year’s USA Olympic Team.
In Commerce it’s “cool” to swim.
“We put them in the water as babies and they continue,” says Bylsma-Houghton, “because our city thinks swimming is important.”
There are no financial barriers to swim in Commerce. Residents swim in the 1)001 for free. Child swim lessons cost $3 for two weeks of lessons- Adults pay $10 for a month of lessons. The city employs a full-time swim coach and full-time coaches for both the boys and girls water polo teams. Each team is limited to 100 kids and there is a waiting list to join. There are no monthly dues for team members and the city pays entry fees and travel expenses.
At Commerce, every child must swim on the swim team before they can join the water polo team. Some do both, but many gravitate by high school to water polo.
“We put a heavy emphasis on swimming, but clearly the success of our polo girls is a major reason why Commerce athletes gravitate to water polo. It also appears that team sports in general have more appeal to our citizens. Water polo games provide more of a social atmosphere for the families and that’s important.”
While the Commerce Aquatorium can accommodate swimming meets, it was de signed primarily with water polo in mind. The main pool is 39 meters long and 25 yards wide. Spectator seating is 250, enough for fans of two teams.
“I don’t think our kids would be participating in swimming and water polo if they lived in other cities,” says Bylsma-Houghton. “And that’s a shame because our kids have gotten so much from our program. Over the past five years, 100% of our senior girls have gotten full riches to college for water polo. Their GPA average has been 3.8 and they gone on to schools like Bucknell, USC, UCLA, Michigan, Stanford and Berkelely. For most, they are the first of their family to swim and the first to attend college.”
“Now we are beginning to see the second generation, children of our children joining our program. In Commerce, swimming has become part of our Latino culture.”
Christine Carver
2011
Chris Carver is a groundbreaking synchronized swimming choreographer and coach of the famed Santa Clara Aquamaids Club. As coach of the U.S. National Team, the National Team won every gold medal in elite international competition between the 1991 Pan American Games and 1996 Olympic Games. Her swimmer Becky Dyroen-Lancer won all four gold medals at the 1994 World Championships and repeated the grand slam another eight times for which Becky earned the FINA Prize.
With four of her own swimmers on the 1996 Olympic team, Carver choreographed the USA team to win the Olympics’ first gold medal in the team event earning the first perfect 100 score in synchronized swimming’s Olympic history. Seven of the nine members of the 2000 Olympic team were Carver’s own swimmers as were eight of the nine swimmers in 2004.
Chris has produced more than 50% of the USA’s Synchronized Swimming Olympians since 1984. Two of her swimmers, Alison Bartosik and Anna Kozlova won bronze medals in duet in 2004. Carver was named Coach of the Year by U.S. Synchronized Swimming in 2005 for the 14th consecutive time since 1992 and is reflected in her 14 U.S. National Team Championships with the Santa Clara Aquamaids since 1985.
In Chris’ words, “My periodic visits to ISHOF are reverent experiences for me. When I am there I am in, what I regard as, the “Aquatic Cathedral.” The International Swimming Hall of Fame is home to those, in all aquatic disciples, who have shaped the world of aquatics—a world that I have been privileged to live in for many decades. All who dwell within these walls are people of passion and purpose. Simply put, they are my heroes. And now I am both thrilled and humbled to be invited to reside among these great people. I must admit that it is a bit bewildering to be honored for simply doing what one loves to do. It is said that a coach can have a powerful influence on an athlete’s life, however, what is seldom mentioned is the influence that the athlete has on the life of that coach. How fortunate I have been to have my life enhanced by so many wonderful athletes. I am deeply appreciative to be included in ISHOF’s remarkable congregation.”
Jesus Mena
2011
In the words of Jesus Mena, “Usually when someone works as a volunteer there is no recognition expected because we do it for delight and passion. We are not waiting for anything in return.”
That’s what happened to Jesus with diving. When he was eight years old, he found diving to be the best sport in the world. He had the opportunity of competing in many events representing his country Mexico and became National champion, Central American champion, World Junior champion and Bronze Medallist in the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games on the 10m platform.
As a retired diver, he was entrusted to be responsible for diving in Mexico preparing himself to be a judge. Then he organized the 1997 World Cup and the Grand Prix Super Final that is the background of the Diving World Series. During that time, Mexico developed outstanding including Fernando Platas, Olympic silver medallist on the 3m Springboard in Sydney 2000.
As a judge, he participated in every possible event including World Cup, World Championships and Olympic Games.
In 2000, he was invited to be part of the FINA Technical Diving Committee, now in his second term as chairman. In his humble way, Jesus is deeply honored to have worked, learned, been taught by and shared with the diving community, his family. The sport has improved over the past 11 years with a School for Judges and the World Series. He knows that challenges are still ahead, but comments “We have high spirits and we will continue working as if it was our first day.”
A strong family man, Jesus considers his parents Guadalupe and Jesus the best in the world. “They taught me to believe in dreams, to fight and work hard to make them come true. I was witness of their total devotion to their children.” Brother and sister, Didier and Enevy, have always shown an unconditional love.
Says Jesus, “By receiving this recognition I want to thank a friend from whom I have learned to work, to honor the pledged word, to keep commitments and to think that there can be a better place to live, that man is Enrique Peña Nieto, Governor of the State of Mexico.
I receive this recognition thanks to an exceptional woman, whom I admire, respect and deeply love, my wife Paulina. Since we first met 23 years ago, she has always been my support; she has encouraged and driven me. Her advice, her timely word and her love have guided and given me reason to dedicate to my sport. We have two children Paulina and Jesus. We love them both above everything else. Thanks to my wife who makes a praising raising labor although I get absent from home. I receive this recognition with complete knowledge of the commitment I am acquiring. The persons who have received them before me are people I respect and appreciate; they are my friends. Thanks to those who considered that I have the necessary merits to be awarded. ”
Joseph A. Krasevec
2011
For almost 40 years, Joe Krasevec has worked to increase the development and benefits of water exercise, pioneering new programs of exercising in the water.
In the early 1980’s, he developed the ‘HydroRobics’ water exercise program and was the principle author of the book HydroRobics, published in 1984 by Leisure Press and later by Human Kinetics Publishers. It was later translated into both Portuguese and Japanese.
Sensing a very limited national coordination among water exercise instructors and authors, in 1985 he began to work with Louise Priest (CNCA) to organize an ‘exploratory meeting’ at a CNCA National Conference which included select water exercise professionals from around the country. This led to the formation of the National Advisory Committee on Aquatic Exercise (NA CAE), which he chaired. After presenting papers at several national aquatic conferences, attending international aquatic professionals took a serious interest in his program and invited him to conduct instructor workshops in both Brazil (1989, ‘90, ‘92, ‘93) and Australia 1987 for a one month tour – four cities and thirteen workshops.
In 1987 the National YMCA (Tom Wertz, Aquatic Director) asked permission to adopt his “HydroRobics Program” as the official program of the YMCA under the name Y’s Way to Water Exercise. Joe was asked to write the national instructor-training manual published the next year. The ‘Y’ used the program for almost 12 years!
From 1976 to 1998, Joe conducted several instructor-training workshops in Atlanta and around the country. He has taught water exercise at the Vinings Corporate Dining and Athletic Club since its opening 20 years ago and still has many charter members from the original class.
After 22 years, Joe retired in 1998 from Georgia State University (GSU), but continues to teach an Exercise Science course (Fitness & Training Concepts) at GSU in which he exposes the students to water exercise concepts under the heading of ‘exercise environments’. He also teaches fencing at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA.
In Joe’s words, “I am extremely humbled to be a 2011 recipient of the ISHOF Paragon Award which represents a successful career of approximately 50 years in the recreational sports/aquatic industry. When I retired I spent my first year reflecting over the many years of my professional career to question whether or not I made a contribution to the profession. I am proud to be among a class of individuals who have achieved outstanding success in their aquatic professions and are deserving of this award. Receiving the Paragon Award has reminded me that my work has made a significant difference in contributing to the well-being of individuals throughout the world.”
Farhad Madani
2011
Farhad Madani is a dedicated public servant, serving for over twenty-seven (27) years with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, a nationally accredited agency. Spending much of his career in aquatics management and operations, Farhad worked his way up through the ranks starting as a lifeguard in the summer of 1980 and eventually becoming the Assistant Director overseeing the areas of aquatics, recreation programming, parks operations & maintenance, and golf & athletics. Farhad retired from the department as Assistant Director in the spring of 2010.
During his tenure, the department received many top awards from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), including the National Gold Medal Award in 2004, which recognized the department as best overall in the country. The department also received the 1999 and 2006 Excellence in Aquatics Award for demonstrating best aquatic management practices under his leadership including serving as a Board Member for the NRPA National Aquatic Branch between 1999 and 2007, ultimately serving as Branch President in 2006. He served as the National Aquatic Conference Educational Chair from 2001-2004, and between 2005 and 2008, he was an active member of the United States Lifeguarding Coalition, conducting research in various lifeguarding skill areas.
Finally, Farhad has been included in the Who’s Who in Aquatic Leadership in the United States multiple times, and was featured in 2005 as one of the top 25 Influential Aquatic Leaders in the country in the Aquatics International Magazine.
Currently, Farhad is a consultant in Aquatic Safety.
John Leonard (USA)
2010
Since 1985, John Leonard has been the Executive Director of the American Swimming Coaches Association in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Under Leonard’s leadership, the Association has grown from 1600 to 6,500 members. He has helped develop educational programs and services that include 26 different types of coaching schools, a Certification program that has certified over 11,000 coaches in 24 years and a model national learn to swim school in SwimAmerica which has taught over 3.4 million American youngsters to swim. He has turned the ASCA into an advocacy force that is respected world-wide. Throughout his career, Leonard has been an active coach in Syracuse, NY, developing national finalists and a 1976 Olympian while building an 800 member swim team, Lake Forrest College and Swim Team in Illinois and various teams in Florida.
In 1988, John was a founder of the World Swimming Coaches Association and continues to serve on the Organization’s Board. He received the USA Athletes Appreciation Award in 1996, for his strong anti-doping actions in world sport; the Collegiate/Scholastic Trophy from NISCA in 2005, for his contributions to swimming; one of the 25 Most Influential People in all of Aquatics, by Aquatics International magazine; and one of the ten most influential people in USA Swimming by Swimming World magazine. He serves on multiple committees for USA Swimming, including the Olympic International Operations and International Relations Committees, and is a member of the FINA International Coaches Commission. He has served on 18 USA National Team Staffs and at seven Olympic Games. He has served as Chairman of the United States Swimming Steering Committee for the USA Olympic Team in Swimming.
An accomplished writer and editor, Leonard has authored over 1000 articles on swimming, written four books and edited three others, in addition to making clinic presentations in 26 countries. He regularly provides presentations from groups ranging from swimming parents and coaches to sports administrators. John has led the ASCA in Advocacy of multiple issues having significantly influenced the fight against doping in sport, and the creation of a Coaches Commission within FINA. In 2008 and 2009, John led the successful effort to modify the FINA rules about swimwear that resulted in the removal of the “Technical Suits” from the world stage.
Eugenio Martinez Ginoris (CUB)
2010
During the 2009 FINA Congress held in Rome, Eugenio was elected to the FINA Bureau. But his involvement in water polo goes back many years.
At age ten, he started swimming at Cubanaleco Club in Havana attending the National Swimming Championships from 1957-1959.
As member of the Cuban National Swimming team, he represented his country at the IX Central American and Caribbean Games in Jamaica, 1962. He joined Cuba’s Water Polo National Team competing at the1966 X Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico, 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, 1968 Pre-Olympics of Mexico and several Water Polo Championships in Europe and America.
Since 1969, Martínez has been a technical trainer for water polo providing assistance as in 1988 serving as trainer of the Kuwait National Water Polo Team. In 1970, Martínez earned the title of FINA International Water Polo Referee. In 1974, he passed the first FINA classification for categories A, B and C with only eight referees worldwide in the A category.
As a FINA international referee, Martínez participated in six Olympic Games (1972, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1992 and 1996) also attending three Olympic Games as Member of FINA Technical Water Polo Committee (2000, 2004, 2008). He also attended 10 Pan American Games, 10 Central American and Caribbean Games, 6 World University Games and 4 South American Games.
In 1996 during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Martinez was awarded the FINA Silver Pin and in Athens 2004, the International Association of Water Polo Referees (AIA) named him an Honorary Member.
Due to the FINA Development and Olympic Solidarity Program, and under the sponsorship of ODEPA Solidaridad Panamericana, Martinez has been a guest speaker in many conferences, seminaries and lectures in more than 30 countries.
Safeya "Sohpie"Ahmed Sarwat (EGY)
2010
Born in Egypt, Sophie Sarwat dedicated over fifty-five years of her life for women’s sport in Egypt, Africa, and worldwide. She was a maverick, the first Egyptian women to start a business in Egypt (hairdressers shop for ladies) which explains her unique desire to promote and represent women in sport.
As a competitor, she was the Egyptian national swimming, diving, and tennis champion and a member of her basketball, handball, squash, and bridge teams. But her main love was synchronized swimming, which she established and nurtured in Egypt. As early as 1952, she became the volunteer coach for synchro at the Heliopolis Sporting Club bringing teams from the USA, Germany, and Japan to compete in her country. Beginning in 1980, she become the chair of Egypt’s TSSC and served on the Egyptian Swimming Federation from 1980-1996. She became a member of the FINA TSSC from 1982 to 1984. She was Chair of the CANA and COMEN TSSC and in 1987 organized FINA Cup Egypt. To expand her knowledge, she attended FINA Synchro judging clinics in four countries and was soon presenting lectures on the sport in countries throughout the Mediterranean and Asia regions including Russia, Iran, and Greece. As a coach, she was able to take a team of Egyptian swimmers abroad for the first time (1964). In 2001, she became Chair of the International Affairs of the Egyptian Olympic Committee. She received the FINA Gold and Silver Awards and an appreciation from the IOC.
Her efforts to promote synchronized swimming are not only witnessed in Egypt, but she has also helped South Africa, Algeria, and Iran to establish the sport. She is a role model for many Egyptian women in whom she has instilled the concept of giving and sharing and above all, the ideals of the Olympic spirit. She is well known for her determination and fighting spirit when it comes to women’s sport.
Sophie died in October of 2009, before she received this recognition. She is a legend in her own country.
Janice Rude (USA)
2010
When her father, Hall of Famer Ray Rude, founder of the Duraflex Diving Board, was nearing retirement Jan stepped in to work at his side learning the business and applying the drive to perfection her father practiced. Ray’s discovery of the Duraflex Board in 1959 made it the diving board of preference and has been used in every Olympic Games since 1960.
A graduate of Occidental College in immuno–hematology, she was pursuing a medical career until she began working with her dad. She loved the business and it was a perfect fit for Duraflex as her understanding of chemistry quickly translated to metallurgy. She spoke the language of the Alcoa scientists who worked closely with her to improve the alloy Duraflex used. Her ability to work with different scientists, engineers and machinists allowed Duraflex not only to survive after her father’s departure, but to flourish.
Although not visible to the casual eye, she has spearheaded subtle changes and improvements to all of the Duraflex equipment which is used exclusively in the competitive diving world. As a monopoly supplier, most of the improvements were not required, but her desire to constantly improve the safety and performance of Duraflex products has been very beneficial to diving.
Now as the company CEO, Jan has taken Duraflex to the next level, utilizing more computerized technology and upgrading the factory as it headed into the twenty first century. She gives credit to her “team” of experts. Because of Jan Rude’s many skills and the pursuit of excellence her father taught her, Duraflex International continues to provide the best high – performance diving boards on which the world of diving has come to know and rely. Her participation on the Raymond C. Rude Foundation further shows her unwavering support to competitive diving.
Steven Becker (USA)
2010
As Director of Health and Wellness Services for the Jewish Community Center Association of North America, Steven Becker serves as a resource for more than three hundred and fifty JCC, YM-YWHA and camp sites in the United States and Canada. Becker provides the guidance to help develop personnel to programmatically as well as professionally to become the aquatic leaders with in their communities.
Steve has partnered with aquatic insurance experts, The Redwoods Group, to provide risk management training jointly for JCCs and YMHAs in order to help both organizations create a safer aquatic environment and culture.
rior to working with the JCC Association, Steve was the fitness and aquatics director at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta, Georgia for four years, and the Westside JCC in Los Angeles, California for fifteen years. In LA, he was the high school swim coach for four-time Olympic gold medalist Lenny Krayzelburg, as well as coach of the U.S. Junior Swim Team in the Pan-Am Maccabi and the World Maccabi Games. He is currently working with Krayzelburg to implement a revolutionary new learn-to-swim method for JCCs in the US and Canada to help those JCCs provide a unique niche in the aquatic community.
As a Masters swimmer, Steven won his age group for the 2006 Alcatraz Challenge, which included a one and a half mile swim from Alcatraz to Chrissie Field. He is a graduate of UCLA, with a teaching credential in Education.
B. Christmas Brewster (USA)
2010
Chris Brewster began his lifesaving career as a lifeguard on the beaches of San Diego, California in 1979 and has grown over the past thirty years to become one of the world’s most influential promoters of beach and open water safety. His passion for lifesaving education has caused him to serve in leadership capacities on numerous lifesaving and water safety organizations including President of United States Lifesaving Association (USLA), Americas professional association of beach lifeguards charged with reducing the incidence of death and injury by drowning. Through Brewster’s initiatives and planning, the Lifeguard Agency Certification Program, the Lifeguard Agency Response Team Program and the USLA National Lifeguard Championships were designed and implemented to help the professional lifeguard be more prepared and effective.
Chris serves as Vice President of the International Lifesaving Federation, the world’s international organization of lifesavers and as President of the Americas Region, where he oversees ILF activities throughout the western hemisphere including North, South, and Central America, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. He is lifeguard Chief (retired) of the San Diego Lifeguard Service and Harbor Master with an annual budget of $10 million with two hundred forty employees. He has authored, co-authored or edited over twenty one written articles, bills or papers; presented over twenty four lectures and presentations in seven countries; given over twenty five media appearances; and attended or presided over one hundred thirty meetings, seminars, and events around the world.
As author of the “USLA Manuel of Open Water Lifesaving”, he has initiated the US National Certification Program for Beaches and served as Chair of the National Certification Committee. His website is www.lifesaver1.com.
Carol Zaleski (USA)
2009
When Carol Zaleski becomes involved with something, she takes it all the way. It was her five children who got their mother involved in swimming when they became age group competitors in the early 1970s. It was at that time that Carol’s volunteer influence began to flourish in all of the local, national and international arenas.
From the beginning, she held every Allegheny Mountain Swimming Committee office from Secretary to General Chairman. Today she is in her fourth decade as competition judge, starter and referee for everything from the local LSC to the Olympic Games. Within USA Swimming, she developed materials for the First National Officials Training Program (1985). She has served as President of USASwimming an unprecedented four terms (1986-1988, 1988-1990, 1994-1996, 1996-1998). She has conducted workshops on officiating and administration of swimming throughout the United States and has served on various committees of the United States Olympic Committee including the Overview Commission with George Steinbrenner and the Olympic Games Preparation Committee. In 1992 she was elected President of United States Aquatic Sports.
She was elected to the FINA Technical Swimming Committee and served as Honorary Secretary (1988-1992) and as the first woman Chairman (1992-2005). She currently serves as Vice-Chairman and has been the leader of interpreting and formulating the rules for international swimming. She was elected President of UANAin 2003 and currently serves as Vice President. On theWorld Championship level, she was Competition Director (1991-Perth, 1994-Rome) and on the Olympic level she was Meet Referee (1984-Los Angeles, 1988-Seoul) and Competition Director (1992-Barcelona, 1996-Atlanta, 2000-Sydney, 2004-Athens). She is the first female referee both at a FINAWorld Championship and an Olympic Games.
Carol expresses what she believes is right for swimming and swimmers. She is warm, helpful and will spend the time needed to help solve a problem. Her honest approach to the sport has earned her the 1992 United States Swimming Award for Exceptional Contribution to the Sport of Swimming. In 1990, she has received the USS Athletes Appreciation Award and she was the keynote speaker at the first International Coaches Seminar held in Olympia, Greece. Currently she is the longest-serving member of the USASwimming Board of Directors (1979). Paragon is proud to honor this woman who ventures onto committees traditionally held by men.
Stathis Avramidis, PhD Researcher (GRE)
2009
Thirty-five year old Stathis Avramidis from Greece has been involved in the aquatics since the age of six. He has become one of the most dedicated water safety advocates in the world and probably knows more about water safety in the USA than most Americans. During his life he has served and popularized aquatics and water safety on a national and international scale as an athlete, safety professional, academic, author, researcher, media professional and top world model. He placed nine times in the top three rankings of the Greek national championships as water polo player and lifeguard as well as serving as lifesaving coach in international competitions.
He holds a BSc in Sport Science & Physical Education (graduating with the highest mark among 105 graduates), a Diploma on Physical Education of Disabled (Athens University, Greece), an MSc in Sport & Exercise and is currently working towards the completion of his PhD on drowning at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. He also holds 37 Senior Tutor certifications for qualifying trainers and over 100 certifications on water safety related subjects from organizations in 13 countries. Stathis works as permanent Lecturer (PT) in Aquatics in Leeds Metropolitan University (UK) and has served the water safety industry in various positions (e.g. water safety primary school teacher, first-aider, lifeguard/head lifeguard) in Athens 2004 Olympics, water parks and Mediterranean, European and World aquatic sporting activities.
During his career he has performed over 80 rescues, and taught the concept of water safety to over 8,000 people of all age groups with various academic background and abilities/disabilities in 15 different countries. He has been a member of 13 international water safety organizations in seven countries. Despite his young age, Stathis is one of the very few authors in the world having authored eight aquatic safety books and over 187 publications (chapters, DVD’s, magazine articles, conference proceedings and research). His greatest achievement was the editing of the Handbook on Safety and Lifesaving in which he brought together 144 co-authors from 22 countries for contributing on their area of expertise about safety and lifesaving on land, in air and in water.
Stathis has promoted water safety in all types of media in Greece and abroad. He has worked as a journalist in over nine aquatic magazines and newspapers and as a radio broadcaster of the program Life-guarding without a Teacher. He is a frequently invited conference or keynote speaker and has spoken over 542 times on 33 TV channels about water safety and life-guarding. He has also promoted aquatic safety through his career as a top international male model by speaking to the media when he was awarded the top male model four times in national or world contests. During his career, Stathis has received over 30 awards in seven countries for his contributions to aquatic safety.
Bartolo Consolo (SUI)
2009
Bartolo Consolo’s career in water polo and swimming began over 40 years ago, as an outstanding young athlete. Soon he advanced to become the leader of his water polo hometown clubs, Rarl Nantes Perugla and Club AS Roma. Eventually he rose to the Presidency of LEN, but along the way, he helped to plan and realize the European Sports Association Against Drugs, becoming its President. In 1983, he became the Chairman of the European Swimming Championship Organizing Committee followed the next year as Vice President of the Italian Swimming Federation. Later as President, his strong leadership led to the Italian National Water Polo Team winning the Grand Slam of Water Polo—Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships and FINA Cup, all in one year, 1992.
Under his initiative was born COMEN (TheMediterranean Confederation of Swimming) created for a stronger unity in the Mediterranean region and throughout Europe. Today, he is the Honorary Life President. In 1989, he was elected as a member of Executive Board of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI). In 1990, he was elected President of LEN and two years later Vice President of FINA. He was able to bring the 1994World Championships to Rome, serving as Chairman of the Organizing Committee as well as the Organizing Committee of the 1985 European Championships. Under his guidance, LEN has had exceptional development. The birth of the Euro League in water polo and restructuring of the European Championships ensured a greater diffusion of the sport technically with more public and media support. Under his tenure, LEN participation by countries grew and in the 2007-2008 season, 1200 water polo matches were played as well as the Men’s andWomen’s European Cups reorganized.
He was elected to four terms as LEN President and is currently serving his second term as FINAHonorary Secretary. Among his awards include Golden Stars for Sport, Italian Republic Official Knights, Knight of Malta and Knight of Mauritian Order.
Rose Cody (PUR)
2009
Puerto Rico is glad to have Rose Cody as a citizen. She put synchronized swimming on the map in her country in 1976, after having seen it for the first time in Mexico in 1975. By 1977, Puerto Rico was participating in Regional competition with the CCCAN Championships, and Rose immediately began to contribute to synchro’s rise in popularity.
For 20 years, she was the Chairperson of her federation’s Synchronized Swimming Committee—Federacion Puertoriqueña de Natacion (1976-1992, 1994-1997). She was Chairperson of the Synchronized Swimming Technical Committee (1976-2004) of CCCAN (Central American and Caribbean Swimming Confederation). Since 1992, she has been a member of UANA(Union de Natacion de Las Americas) serving eight years as Chairperson and twelve years as Secretary. With UANA’s governance of the Pan American Games, she has served as referee and judge at every Games since 1979.
She became a member of the FINA Masters Committee in 1994 representing synchro and currently is the longest serving member of the committee. She was a FINA judge from 1976 to 2004, when mandatory age requirements caused her retirement. She has been the Synchro Swimming Director at every FINA Masters World Championships since 1994. She has been a referee, judge and administrator at all events from grass roots to CCCAN, CISC and CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games). She has conducted clinics in over 18 countries throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Rose can be called the “Mother of Synchronized Swimming in Puerto Rico” as she has the distinction of introducing Synchronized Swimming in her country and helped to develop the sport there and around the region.
Jason Simpson (USA)
2009
For the past two and a half years, Jason Simpson has led the charge with A T & T to promote the sport of diving and support athletes within the sport. Under his leadership, AT & T has become an invaluable partner with USA Diving and continues to serve as a model of support for sport.
A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (BA) and the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business (MBA), it was apparent from the beginning, Simpson not only cared about AT&T’s return on investment but also truly cared about supporting the needs of the divers and the sport.
In January of 2006, Simpson was named Director of Olympic Integration for AT & T and he continues today to manage AT& T’s sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Team. The success of the partnership has resulted in a sponsorship renewal through the London Olympic Games of 2012, with new and unique opportunities to promote the sport and its athletes.
Some of the incredible support provided by Jason and AT & T includes:
• Webcast of the 2007 and 2008 AT & T USA Diving Grand Prix on AT & T’s Blue Room website
• Webcast of the 2007 Kaiser Permanente National Diving Championships on the Blue RoomWeb Site
• Produced a “Tips in Training” series featuring Olympic diver Troy Dumais that was available for viewing on the Blue Room website and AT & T U-Verse’s video on demand library
• Produced a “Behind the Scenes” video and became a major sponsor of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Diving
• Sponsored three-time Olympic diver Troy Dumais
• Underwrote the 2008 U.S. Olympic Diving Team’s excursion to the GreatWall during the Olympic Games in Beijing to provide time away from the Olympic village for rest and relaxation for the athletes.
• Donated more than $4,000 to the U.S. Diving Foundation (over and beyond the sponsorship paid to USA Diving)
Unless government supported, sport, particularly amateur sports, would not survive without the financial support of company sponsors who take a personal interest in helping to create an environment which allows the sport and its athletes to succeed. Jason Simpson and AT & T have invested the time and funding within diving to help make this happen.
Leland Yarger (USA) Ball State University / Coordinator of Aquatics
2009
Instructor of Physical Education 2009 Paragon Award / Recreational Swimming
On the college and university levels, Lee Yarger established a major curriculum in Aquatics with the Aquatics Field as a Major Degree. It may be the only one of its kind in America. At Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, he is the Coordinator of Aquatics and Instructor responsible for developing and teaching curriculum for the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science (SPESES) including graduate and undergraduate (major and minor) level materials. His responsibilities include: department advisor for major and minor students in aquatics, internship coordination and liaison, departments safety officer for
risk management issues, basic CPR and first aid instruction for faculty, direct responsibility for instructional equipment (justification, acquisition, maintenance and security), instructor for core classes and faculty representative for SPESES undergraduate aquatic programs and curriculum.
Yarger got his start in the Aquatics Field in the mid 1980s in the United States Marine Corps, training marines to be lifeguards and operating pools on the military bases in Okinawa, Japan. From 1991 to 1998, while earning B.S. andM.S. degrees in Administration of Justice and Work Force Education and Development Program, he accepted more responsibility as Lifeguard, Crew Chief, Administrative Assistant and finally Aquatic Supervisor at Southern Illinois University. He received his Masters degree in 1998 while serving for the U.S. Department of Defense as the Aquatics Director for Morale, Welfare and Recreation at the Marine Corps Air Station in Iawkuni, Japan. He was responsible for developing and administering the full Aquatics program. For the next five years from 1999 to 2003, he served asAquatic Supervisor for the cities of Hallandale Beach and Miramar, Florida, with all responsibilities that oversee aquatic planning and monitoring for two of Florida’s fastest growing cities.
Yarger’s Aquatics Curriculum at Ball State University serves as a model for future curriculums on the college and university levels.
Dana Abbott (USA) / NISCA President
2008
Dana Abbott is an outstanding coach and leader in high school swimming not only in his state of Texas but throughout the nation. He has been a role-model for the thousands of club and high school swimmers he has coached since 1971 and an inspiration for the hundreds of coaches who have attended his clinics and lectures. He was nominated for Texas HS State Coach of the Year three times and been District/Regional Coach of the Year numerous times. As Head Coach of Katy High School for 25 years and for 12 years at St. John XXIII College Preparatory, he developed numerous swimming, diving and academic All-Americans, but Dana’s contribution to high school swimming goes beyond his love of working with the students.
He is a leader in the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) having served on the national level as Outreach Coordinator, Marketing Director, Zone Director, President and President-Elect. He served two 2-year terms as President, the first time in the history of the organization that has occurred. His leadership has helped to increase the organization’s financial sponsorship and co-authored the NISCA Constitution and By-Law Revisions. As a Life Member of TISCA, he is the only person to have held all four elected TISCA offices in Texas. As a clinician, Dana has spoken in over seven states and his writings have been published in the NISCA Journal, SwimmingWorld Magazine and Swim- Info.com. He was a contributor to the joint ASCA/NISCA/USA Swimming treatise on mutual cooperation of competitive swimming programs.
Jim Wheeler (USA) /Aquatics Director,City of Oakland
2008
Jim Wheeler’s work in the aquatic safety field spans more than four decades. He has worked as a California state beach lifeguard, managed recreational aquatic programs for several municipalities, consulted on facility audits and advanced lifeguard training and contributed to aquatic research and lifeguard readiness. In 1998, he created and implemented a plan to operate a year round, full service program for the City of San Ramon becoming active with the National Recreation and ParkAssociation’s NationalAquatic Branch. By 1991, he had become a speaker and chairperson at schools and conferences across the nation. Jim has been retained by more than 30 agencies and corporations across the country to train staff, inspect facilities and investigate accidents. Since 1991 he has spoken at more than 100 local, state and national conferences.
Jim has been the driving force in developing the aquatics section of the California Park and Recreation Society. Nationally, he has served on the NRPA National Aquatic Council as a regional representative and President. He has also served on United States Masters Swimming’s Safety Education, Marketing and Long Distance Swimming Committees, as well as chairing the Planning and RiskManagement Committees. He developed an annual graduate school level scholarship for the California Foundation for Parks and Recreation in the name of TotalAquatic Management, his consulting firm.
Jim is currently theAquatics Supervisor for the City of Oakland, California, having served previously with six other cities and counties.
William J. Shaw (CAN) / UANA Bureau Member
2008
A distinguished lawyer and Senior Partner at McDougall Gauley LLP in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, William J. “Bill” Shaw, has been a prominent figure in the sport of water polo for over 38 years. He was introduced to the sport at the University of Saskatchewan as a player and continued playing with the SaskatoonWater Polo Club after graduation. In 1976, while still playing, Bill began a long and distinguished career as a referee. Working his way from local and provincial championships, Bill was soon recognized as one of Canada’s finest officials and in 1981 was chosen by the Canadian Water Polo Association to be an evaluator of referees at both domestic and international competitions – a position he still holds today. In
1981 Bill was also chosen to serve as a member of the Technical Water Polo Committee of the Union Americana de Natacion (UANA). As a member of UANA’s Executive Committee since 1991, Bill serves as the organization’s water polo liaison. From 1992 to 2005 Bill served as a member of the Technical Water Polo Committee of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), and as the committee’s Honorary Secretary” from 1992 – 1996. During his career, Bill has served the sport of water polo as a coach, director, president, vice-president, secretary or member of every local, provincial, national and international water polo organization open to him and has made friends and earned the respect of everyone associated with aquatics and the sport of water polo, both in Canada and around the world.
Margo Erickson (USA)
2008
Margaret “Margo” Erickson began her Synchronized Swimming career as a teenager at theYMCAin Minneapolis, Minnesota, and her interest in aquatic art continued while a student at St. Olaf College. Her coaching career was launched in Dallas, Texas, in 1965, where she started a program at the Town North YMCA, in Dallas, Texas. Beginner classes quickly evolved into a competitive program that competed at local, regional and national levels. It was during this time that Margo achieved a National Judges rating.
In 1974, Erickson joined the coaching staff of the Santa Clara Aquamaids under Hall of Fame coach Kay Vilen. While at Santa Clara, in addition to her coaching duties, she served as Manager of the US team and as an International judge. As Vice President on the USSS Board of Directors, she piloted new judging education and training materials and procedures, but it was her international influence that made Erickson a familiar and friendly face to the synchro world.
Erickson took over as head national coach and technical director for the Mexican Synchro Federation in 1981, guiding Mexico through its first Olympics in 1984. She then served a two-year stint as head coach for the Italian Synchro Federation before taking over as Master Coach and Technical Consultant for Synchro Ontario in 1986. From 1987 to 2002, she served as the Technical and Education Director of United States Synchronized Swimming where she created and developed a multitude of educational programs and materials.
During a career spanning over 50 years of service to the sport of synchronized swimming, Margo has been an innovator of coaching and judging education; has collaborated with FINA and National Federations to conduct clinics for athletes and coaches on every continent; has served as an advisor to Olympic broadcast feeds, and today, remains one of the synchronized swimming’s finest ambassadors.
Eldon Godfrey (CAN)
2008
Eldon Godfrey has served aquatic sports at the local, provincial, national and international levels for thirty five years. Eldon’s first administrative position in aquatics came when he served as Founding President of the University of Calgary Diving Club, from 1973-1976. By August of 1976, his dedication and talents were quickly recognized and Canada didn’t waste any time in electing Eldon to serve as President of the Canadian Amateur Diving Association, a position he held through 1980. It was during this time, he became a Director of the Aquatic Federation of Canada, where he served as Chef de Mission and led the Canadian Aquatics Team to the 3rd FINA World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
After serving only seven years in the sport in Canada, FINA, the world governing body of aquatic disciplines, appointed Eldon to serve as a member of the FINA Technical Diving Committee, a position he held from 1980 to 1996. In 1984, he was appointed Honorary Secretary of the Committee and Vice Chairman from 1988 to 1996. In 1996, he was elected as a Member of the FINA Bureau and continues to serve on the Bureau today. Currently he is the Bureau Liaison to the Technical Diving Committee.
Eldon has also served as a diving judge at the highest levels. He has judged and refereed in four Olympic Games, four World Championships, eight World Cups, three Pan American Games and many other international events. Since retiring from his profession as a Chartered Accountant in 2005, Eldon continues to volunteer his time to diving and to the International Swimming Hall of Fame where he has served multiple years on the ISHOF Board of Directors.
Cindy Brown (USA)
2008
Cindy Brown’s career in swimming began in 1962, as an Aquatic Aide, teaching swimming at the YWCA in Reading, Pennsylvania. She continued teaching through nursing school and even after she was employed as a full-time, licensed practical nurse. In 1973 she left nursing to follow her passion as a swimming instructor and eventually became the Aquatic Director at the Y, but her love of nursing never left her. At the Y, she designed therapy programs for women with arthritis and for women who had had mastectomies or had Multiple Sclerosis.Working with the local Easter Seal Association, she created aquatic programs for children with special needs and in the mid-1980’s developed an aquatic based program for children with learning disabilities.
In 1988, Cindy left the YWCA with the idea that she could, as an entrepreneur, create a business that would have a far greater impact on the community than she could have at the Y. The business started with an old van that carried equipment to any body of water that was suitable for instruction. The business grew and, onApril 19, 1993, Cindy opened the Aquabilities Swim School and Water Fitness Center, believed to be the first stand-alone Aquatic Fitness Center in the Country. Today, Aquabilities operates in two highly successful locations, in Birdsboro and Blandon, Pennsylvania. She served on the first Board of the United States Water Fitness Association, was a member of the National Aquatic Summit and the American Red Cross Aquatic Committee. Cindy is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on aquatics, learn-to-swim, swimming for special populations, infant swimming and aquatic programming.
Aquabilities was founded on the belief and knowledge that every person has the ability to participate in, receive physical benefit from, find pleasure through and gain greater self-esteem from being in the water. Cindy says it best: “Water isn’t just for swimming, it is for life!”
Chuck Wielgus (USA)
2007
Chuck Wielgus has served as the Executive Director of USA Swimming since 1997. In that time, he has provided extraordinary vision and leadership to the organization making USA Swimming an exemplary National Governing Body among our nation’s Olympic sports. Wielgus’ tenure has resulted in a revamped approach to marketing the sport including the launching of Splash Magazine, the creation of the Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool and the development of strong corporate and television partnerships to leverage support and raise visibility of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials.
Wielgus has also driven the effort to make USA Swimming financially strong and prepared for the future. He spearheaded efforts to alter the membership dues structure to create $50 – $60 million in new revenue for member programs and services and led the effort to create the USA Swimming Foundation, with the sole purpose of raising funds to support the NGB’s programs and services. To support the Foundation, Wielgus helped create the Golden Goggle Awards, the Foundation’s star-studded, signature event.
Chuck serves as a member of the NCAA / USOC Task Force on Olympic Sports as well as the FINA Swimming World Cup Council. He received a M.Ed. from Springfield College (Massachusetts) in 1974 and a B.A. in History from Providence College. In 1996, he was recognized as a Sports Ethetics Fellow at the Institute for International Sport by the University of Rhode Island. He has co-authored numerous books including: The In-Your-Face Basketball Book (Everest House, 1980) co-authored with Alexander Wolff; The Fan’s Book of Sport Nicknames (Harper and Row, 1987) co-authored with Alexander Wolff and Steve Rushin and the Back-In-Your-Face Guide to Pick-Up Basketball (Dodd, Mead, 1986) co-authored with Alexander Wolff.
Prior to his work in swimming, Wielgus served as executive director of the Senior PGA Tour Tournament Association in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, where he also served on planning committees for the World Golf Village and International Golf Hall of Fame. He served as the exertive director of the U.S. Canoe and Kayak Team (1989-1996), the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association (1983-1989) and was the swimming coach and recreation director in Woodstock, Vermont (1974-1983).
Judith Sperling (USA)
2007
For more than 30 years, Judith Sperling has been involved in the field of recreational swimming and aquatic safety in both her home state of California as well as on a national level. She is a graduate cum laude of California State University, Long Beach with majors in Science, Marine Biology and Zoology and holds numerous aquatic certifications.
Judith began her career in recreation as a lifeguard and has been the Aquatic Supervisor for the City of Long Beach and Aquatics Director for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She has also served as a part time faculty member at California State University, Long Beach and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona teaching courses in Aquatic Facility Management. Currently she serves as the
Assistant Director-Risk Management, Training & Development for UCLA Recreation and as an independent consultant in aquatic safety, providing litigation support to the legal field. Judith has been a frequent speaker at state and national conferences and author of articles on subjects including, aquatic safety and risk management, aquatic codes and regulations, aquatic legal issues and the expert witness. Judith has also devoted herself to many years of volunteer leadership including serving as President of the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) Aquatic Branch, Instructor with the National Aquatic Management School of the NRPA, National Advisory Group of the American Red Cross for Lifeguard Training, Lifeguard Management and Aquatic Examiner Service and as a member of the National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association Aquatics Committee.
In California, she has served on the Aquatic Advisory Committee to the California State Department of Health Services and as President of Southern California Public Pool Operator’s Association. She has presented over 34 papers with 14 publications on all aspects of recreational swimming to help ensure meaningful programs and safety. She currently volunteers as the Aquatics Section Legislative Representative for the California Park and Recreation Society monitoring legislation affecting aquatics. Throughout her career and volunteer service Judith has promoted aquatic safety, teaching and freely sharing her experience with others. She continues to be a teacher and mentor, inspiring young aquatic professionals to become leaders, many of whom have received national recognition.
Guillermo Martinez (CUB)
2007
Guillermo Martinez has spent his entire life in or around the water polo pool, either as a player, coach or administrator.
Throughout his life, he has given his heart and soul to improving the sport he loves so much.
Guillermo was a player for the Cuban National Team from 1965 to 1972. He competed on two Central American and Caribbean Games Teams: 1966, Puerto Rico, gold; 1970, Panama, gold; Two Pan American Games Teams: 1967, Winnipeg, 4th place; 1971, Cali, silver; and two Olympic Games: 1968, Mexico City, 8th place; 1972 Munich, 9th place. At the time, those were the only international competitions in which North and South American teams could participate.
When he retired from competition, he started working in the Cuban National Federation as Technical Director for Water Polo, a position he held for six years. In 1979, Guillermo was appointed the President of the Cuban Swimming Federation, a position he has now held for 28 years.
At the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow, Guillermo was elected as a member of the FINA Technical Water Polo Committee (TWPC) and served 16 years on the committee: 1980 – 1984 (member), 1984 – 1988 (committee chairman), 1988 – 1996 (committee vice chairman). In 1996 in Atlanta, he was elected as a member of the FINA Bureau and continues to serve as the FINA Liaison to the TWPC. Within his hemisphere, Martinez served as the Secretary of the TWPC of ASUA (Amateur Swimming Union of the Americas) from 1975 to 1995. From 1995 to 1999, he was the Liaison of Water Polo.
Just as in the sport of water polo, Martinez credits the “team” effort of the committees on which he has served for the past 35 years in creating legislation leading to improvements in the sport. The inclusion of Women’s Water Polo in the Olympic Games and the development of a Comprehensive International Competition Schedule for both men and women are two of his water polo successful achievements. Martinez believes that the formation of the Water Polo World League will allow water polo to grow to a level in the world comparable with other main team sports.
Maria Cristina Villicana Rodriguez (MEX)
2007
She started out as a diver but when the 1955 Pan American Games were awarded to her native Mexico City, Cristina’s diving coach recruited her to participate in synchronized swimming. Synchronized swimming was debuting for the first time in a continental championship competition and Mexico wanted to compete. Cristina placed fifth in the Synchro Duet event and although she continued to participate in diving, she became hooked on synchronized swimming. At the Fourth Pan American Games in Sao Paulo, she and her team won the silver medal in the Team event. Also an outstanding diver, she was the bronze medalist at the Central American Games of 1958 and 1962 in the 10m Platform competition.
Following her retirement as an athlete, Cristina dedicated her life to synchronized swimming, now serving for over 45 years as a judge and administrator for the sport. She has been a synchro judge at all levels from grassroots to Olympic Games and has served at many international competitions: 11 Central American Age Group Championships (1975-1995), 4 Central American Games (1978-1990), 6 Pan American Games (1975-1995), 4 Pan Pacific Games (1975-1989), 1 Goodwill Games (1989), 4 World Cups (1989-1995), 3 World Championship (1982, 1986, 1994), and 2 Olympic Games (1984 and 1988).
Cristina served as a neutral referee at six South American Championships (1988-1996). She has promoted synchronized swimming throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean and is held in high esteem by her peers for her work in advancing synchronized swimming in the Hemisphere.
Cristina was appointed to the Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee of FINA at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and to date is the third longest serving member in the history of the TSSC. She has served as an official FINA observer at many international championships including: 2000, 2004 Olympic Games; 2004 Junior World Championships; 2005 Junior Pan American Championships; 2006 Japan Open; 2007 Pan American Games and 2007 South American Games. For a ten year period from 1974 to 1984, she was a member of the International Judges Study Group helping to establish comprehensive rules for the sport.
In her role as an athlete, judge and FINA TSSC member, Cristina has provided much support to all levels of the sport throughout the world. To honor her service to the sport, FINA has awarded her the Plaque of Honor, Silver Pin and Gold Pin.
Todd Smith (USA)
2007
As one of very few persons in the world to be all things to an Olympic sport – competitor, coach and national administrator, Todd Smith has had a rare and unique career in diving. In a career that spans almost 45 years of his 55 years of age, Todd has been able to participate on all levels in the sport which he loves and to which he has given so much in return.
Smith is a graduate of Ohio State University where he dove for Hall of Fame coach Ron O’Brien. Todd was a three-time NCAA All- American and a 1972 NCAA National Champion on the 1 meter springboard. During his senior year, he was co-captain of the Ohio State Swimming and Diving Team.
Upon graduation, he attended law school in California while continuing his diving with another Hall of Fame coach, Glenn McCormick and competing as a member of the U.S. National Diving Team through 1976. In 1977, the Mission Viejo Nadadores hired the team of Todd Smith and Ron O’Brien as diving coaches. Todd served as coach the first year and was joined by Ron in 1978. Then, Ray Bussard at the University of Tennessee hired Todd to coach the college diving team, a position he held until taking the reigns at United States Diving in 1981. He was coach to several national and international champion divers.
As Executive Director of USA Diving for 27 years, Todd was instrumental in much of its growth. He developed a budget more than ten times its original size and initiated the U.S. Diving Foundation to help sustain funds for diving. With the development of a Trust Fund, he helped bring U.S. Diving from amateur status to more open funding for its athletes so that they could compete longer and extend their careers. He solicited and negotiated sponsor relationships with Speedo America, United Airlines, General Motors, Bank of America, Texaco, Colorado Time Systems, Phillips Petroleum, McDonalds, Olin Corporation, Alamo Rent A Car and Pan American Airlines.
Todd established a trusting and supporting relationship with the United States Olympic Committee and developed a program which continues to bring funding and assistance to diving. Since 1981, he has budgeted for and overseen the operation of the International Diving Grand Prix, the world’s annual premier international diving competition. To provide technical support for U.S. coaches and competitors, he hired his college coach and nine-time Olympic diving coach Ron O’Brien as National Technical and High Performance Director.
Though unusual for a staff member of a volunteer-driven organization to receive an award, Smith was honored in 1990 with the inaugural Phil Boggs Memorial Award which recognizes an individual who has achieved individual excellence in diving and has given back a part of himself to ensure the sport’s continuation and success.
Mary Essert (USA)
2007
Since 1949, Mary B. Essert, B.A., ATRIC, has been involved in the aquatic industry, teaching swimming, safety, water fitness and therapeutic intervention. Her personal experience with breast cancer and fibromyalgia has prompted her to share her expertise in aquatic exercise and rehab with other persons. Her water fitness and therapeutic intervention techniques, workshops, books, and videos are internationally recognized. She serves as an instructor trainer for the Arthritis Foundation, Red Cross WSI, and holds many instructor certifications including ABA, USWFA, Medical Health & Fitness, Cancer Wel-Fit and the MS Society.
Following graduation from Hendrix College in 1953, Mary began to place a strong focus on inclusion for all persons to aquatic programs. It became a consistent theme in her life. Upon return to the work place (YMCA, Duchess County, MD) in 1975, she pioneered aquatic programs for special populations and seniors and for over 12 years, served the National YMCA, Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation and the local community with aquatic program innovation and training.
In 1982, she returned to college at DuPage (IL) earning a major in Human Services and Aging. Her newly developed fitness corporation chose the “Move it or Lose it” logo and through worldwide networking has made that term popular.
After a 1994 move to the San Francisco Bay Area, she developed employment with her two physical therapy firms as well as with the Albany Public School adult education program. Work at the Berkley warm pool complimented these efforts and permitted her to continue to work in pediatrics and practice new skills in the Eastern warm water techniques of Watsu and Jahara.
Upon moving back to her hometown Conway, Arkansas, in 2001 with her husband to care for her elderly mother (102 years of age), she became employed by Conway Regional Health Systems at their Fitness Center as an aquatic fitness instructor, aquatic personal trainer, and facilitator of a Fibromyalgia support group. She also works two mornings per week at Conway Therapy Services.
Mary places great emphasis on working with persons with disabilities. She has produced numerous publications, videos and manuals on water walking, water fitness, water exercise and more. She has received numerous awards including the Aquatic Leadership Award of the AAHPERD, C. Carson Conrad Award of the United States Water Fitness Association and the John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award.
Building networks between swimming, water safety, adapted aquatics, water fitness and therapy professionals has been her major contribution.
Peter Daland
2006
For eight decades, Peter Daland has been involved in swimming, first as a swimmer, then as a coach at the club, college and Olympic levels becoming a world leader in the sport. One of the most highly respected individuals in swimming, Peter was his Swarthmore College Swimming Team Captain in 1947 and 1948 after which he guided the Rose Valley and Suburban Swim Club Teams of Pennsylvania as their coach during their formative years. He was Bob Kiphuth’s assistant coach at Yale University from 1951-1954 during which time he was the founder of Junior Swimmer Magazine and co-founder with Kiphuth of Swimming World Magazine. In 1956, he moved to Southern California where for 35 years, he was head men’s coach of the University of Southern California, winning nine NCAA Swimming and Diving National
Championships, 93 NCAA Division I individual titles and accumulating an unparallel dual meet record of 318-31-3 (.917) including 20 years of undefeated dual meet competitions. He was head coach of the 1964 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team and 1972 U.S Men’s Olympic Team and personally coached over 70 Olympians winning over 20 gold medals. For 16 years, he also coached the Los Angeles Athletic Club producing Olympic women swimmers and two National AAU team championships. Upon “retirement” from coaching in 1992, Peter has been the President of the World Swimming Coaches Association (1994-1998, 1968-1970) and Chairman of the FINA Coaches Commission (2000-2005). He has been ASCA Coach of the Year, received the highest National AAU and Collegiate awards and has been the official U.S. Representative at the European Swimming Championships for 11 years. Currently, Peter is completing his first of three written volumes entitled: History of Olympic Swimming 1896-1964. Volume II 1968-1984 and Volume III 1988 to Present will follow. Peter was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1977.
Shawn DeRosa
2006
In only a short fourteen years, Shawn Derosa has had a major impact on promoting aquatic safety throughout the nation. A 1992 Boston College graduate with a Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Shawn has been a Chapter Health Services Administrator for the American Red Cross, Associate Aquatic Director for the Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton, MA, the Aquatics Program Coordinator for Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, the Northeast Regional Director of the National Recreational and Park Association (NRPA) and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member of Salem State College and an independent consultant with the
Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC in Boston. With the combination of his expertise in aquatics and his legal background, he offers practical educational programs on aquatic safety and risk management. He is a frequent speaker and author of articles with over a dozen publications in the past five years, with subjects including beach, pool and communicable disease safety. He has been an aquatic facility operator and lead instructor with the National Aquatic Management School of the NRPA, organizing and directing the associations programs and services within the New England and Mid-Atlantic States. In Massachusetts, he has developed and monitored statewide lifeguard recruitment initiatives recruiting in the full staffing of over 500 lifeguards as well as developing program policies and procedures for the safe and efficient operation of over 66 aquatic facilities including 20 swimming pools, 38 inland beaches and eight ocean beaches. Selected as Aquatics International Magazine’s Most 25 Important People in aquatics, Shawn is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Italian.
Gianni Lonzi
2006
Gianni Lonzi was successful in all aspects of water polo, winning Olympic medals as an athlete, coach and administrator for his native Italy. Considered one of the best drivers of his time, Lonzi won Olympic gold as a player in 1960 and just missed the bronze medals of 1964 and 1968. He and his team won the gold medal at the 1963 Mediterranean Games and were Italian National Champions in 1967 and 1968. He retired from the water and moved to the pool deck as coach of the Italian team winning the Olympic silver medal in 1976 and gold and bronze medals in the surrounding World Championships of 1978 and 1975. He coached the 1977 Mediterranean Games Team to a gold medal and knowing the importance of raising young players to success, he coached the 1977 and 1982 Junior teams to gold medals in European Championships. In 1988 he became the Vice Chairman of the LEN Water Polo Committee and four years later began his term on the FINA TWPC becoming Chairman in 1996.
Don Kane
2006
Don Kane has been involved in the development and progress of Synchronized Swimming for over 50 years. He is cofounder of the San Francisco Merionettes Synchro Team, which won 46 U.S. Senior National Titles, 22 Junior National Titles, Pan American Games and numerous international invitational competitions. As a swim coach, his swimmers Lynn Vidale won Olympic medals, 1968 silver – (400 IM), 1972 bronze – (200 IM) and Jenna Johnson won the 1984 silver medal – (100m butterfly). In 1964, he wrote the first Judges Training Guide and followed that with a Press Relations Guide. In 1967, he developed the first Guide to the Administration of Synchronized Swimming. Kane was elected chair of the National AAU Convention and was elected Synchronized Swimming Chairman in 1967. His appointment of Pam Morris as Synchro’s first Athletes’ Rep made her the first Athletes’ Representative to sit on any AAU National Sport Committee.
Internationally, in 1967, Don served as Competition Director for the Golden Gate International Solo Championship, the first international competition held in the U.S. He was a member of the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Sports Committee, chaired the Technical Synchro Committee of A.S.U.A. and was a past vice chairman of the FINA Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee (1972-1976). A FINA Level “A” judge, he served as a swimming judge at the Olympic Games in Munich and Montreal and as a synchro judge at the Atlanta Olympics. During the years 1973-94, he officiated at seven World Championships, three FINA World Cups, and numerous international competitions. He has been both judge and referee in four CCAN competitions and two South American Championships. In 1968, he arranged a 10 month European tour for U.S. national duet champions, Margo McGrath and Carol Redmond which greatly accelerated the sport’s development throughout Europe. He also arranged for a six month tour of Japanese swimmers through various cities in the U.S. He had hosted and trained swimmers and coaches from 15 nations. He has conducted officials/judges seminars in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru and Venezuela. He will serve as the Synchronized Swimming Competition Director at the 2006 FINA Masters World Championships. He has received the FINA Silver Pin for distinguished service to International Aquatic Disciplines.
Georgia Fyrigou
2006
For the past 20 years, Georgia has been involved in diving and sport in her native Greece as well as on an international level. She has earned BSC University degrees in both physical education and finance at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also has a Ministry of Culture , General Secretariat of Sports Diploma for diving coaches. Within the last year and a half, she was appointed to four year terms to the LEN and FINA Technical Diving Committees, serving on the Event-Rules Sub Committees. She served as Competition Director for Diving at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, as well as serving on the Organizing Committee for the Games and Paralympic Games of 2004. She also served as Sports Information Manager for Cycling, the Velodrome, Paralympic Village and Paralympic Games of 2004.
Georgia is a LEN A Category International Judge and has officiated at the 2004 and 2002 European Championships. She has been an IF Liaison for synchronized swimming, water polo and rowing and has been a FINA deck official at the 2003 Barcelona World Championships and 2000 Fukuoka World Championships.
Ed Kahn
2006
Ed Kahn, president of Manor House Publishing Co., Inc., has been promoting recreational swimming for more than a decade. The company publishes several industry-leading consumer magazines. Pool & Spa Living magazine focuses on all aspects of pool and spa ownership, including selection, poolside entertaining, safety, health benefits and family fun. Luxury Pools magazine presents the industry’s premier pool designers and builders, showcasing their high-end works of aquatic art. The magazines are sold in Barnes & Noble, Borders, The Home Depot and fine bookstores throughout the United States. Combined with their websites, www.poolspaliving.com and www.luxurypools.com, the magazines reach almost two million people every year.
Based on their content and contributions to the industry, Kahn and Manor House Publishing have been honored with the Consumer Awareness Award and the Special Chairman’s Award from the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals.
Before Manor House, Kahn served as the executive vice president of a consumer products Fortune 500 company and was a member of its board of directors. Previously, he owned a management consulting firm and taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Temple University and Drexel University.
Kahn has a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple, a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Detroit and has completed advanced graduate work at New York University.
Pat Hogan
2005
Pat is in his third year as the Managing Director of the new Club Development Division at USA Swimming. In this position, he is responsible for overseeing the implementation of a comprehensive plan for strengthening and supporting the club system in America. Accomplishments during his first two years include a significant expansion of field services to include facilities assistance as well as creation of several new programs targeted at supporting clubs and coaches.
Prior to joining the USA Swimming staff in Colorado Springs, Pat served nine years as the Head Coach of the Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. During that time, he led Mecklenburg’s resurgence as one of the top club programs in the nation. At the 1997 Spring Nationals, MAC won the Women’s division title to earn the team’s first national championship. During Pat’s tenure in Charlotte, the MAC program produced one Olympian, two national champions, seven national team members, ten world-ranked swimmers, and won 18 consecutive North Carolina State Championships.
Pat served as Head Women’s Coach for Team USA at the 2002 Short Course World Championships and is a several time Assistant Coach for USA national teams. He was named Coach of Year by North Carolina Swimming four times – 1995, 1996, 1998, and 2000.
As a young coach, Pat apprenticed under Olympic Head Coaches Richard Quick and Skip Kenney. He developed strong, nationally prominent club programs as the former Head Coach of the Dynamo Swim Club, Atlanta GA (1980-1986) and the Trinity Aquatic Team, Orlando Florida (1988-1993).
During his coaching career, he was an active volunteer in the administration of swimming at both the local and national levels. He served on the USA Swimming Board of Directors for eight years and, most recently, four years as chairman of the International Relations Committee. A member of the American Swimming Coaches Association Board of Directors for six years, Pat served as President of the 5000-member coaches’ organization from 1999-2001.
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he graduated from Southern Methodist University. Pat and wife Diane are the proud parents of 10-year old Katie and 76-year old Kevin.
Bob Johnson
2005
For most of his 88 years, Bob Johnson has been involved in swimming. In high school, as a swimmer, he won the Connecticut Inter-Scholastic Championships (50y and 100y freestyle). At Mercersburg Prep he set a national prep school record. finally at Ohio State University he became Team Captain and won the National Team Championship in 1938, 1939, 1940.
But it’s his 70 years as a swimming teacher, coach, official, water safety instructor and safety official for which Bob is being recognized. Since 1948, he has organized and conducted the Red Cross Water Safety Program for Hamden, CT, teaching some 927 classes with 28,000 students and issuing 20,000 certifications with an additional 2,000 water safety instructor badges.
Bob served for 24 years on the Yale University Physical Education and Aquatics Faculty. He has a combined 158 years with the American Red Cross Water Safety program, the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (AAHPER), the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), United States Swimming (USS), Masters, Special Olympics and Senior Olympics. He started the “Every Sailor a Swimmer” program in the 11th Naval District, California which involved 65 bases and 783 specialist A’s to carry out the War Swimming Programs.
In addition to his active teaching and officiating roles, Bob has served as chair of almost every swim committee in Connecticut. He has been director of three National Long Distance Swim Championships and Vice Chair of the National Committee. He is a historian by nature and has placed many of his books and pamphlets in ISHOF’s Henning Library.
Andrew "Andy" Burke
2005
Andy Burke was a water polo player and coach, but his greatest contribution to the sport came as an administrator for over 50 years serving on U.S. and International Committees.
As an athlete, he narrowly missed selection for the U.S. Olympic Games of 1956 and 1960 and Pan American Games of 1955 and 1959. After retirement as a player, he not only served the sport as a referee but took over administrative responsibility for the Pacific Water Polo Committee within the AAU and continued to serve in that position within U.S. Water Polo (which replaced the AAU in 1978). He became the chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee 1960-1964 (member 1960-1976) and then Manager of the
1964 U.S. Olympic Water Polo Team. Within U.S. Water Polo, he has been the Chairman of the AAU National Committee, Rules Committee (1978-86), chairman of the U.S. Olympic Committee 1960-1964 (member 1960-1976) and then Manager of the 1964 U.S. Olympic Water Polo Team. Within U.S. Water Polo, he has been the Chairman of the AAU National Committee, Rules Committee (1978-86), Western Zone (1961-67), House of Delegates (1977-88), Games Site Selection and National Training Center Committee (1985-88), Strategic Planning Committee (1985-86), U.S. Olympic International Committee (1977-88), the Executive Committee (1963-81) serving as secretary and president, and the AAU Restructuring Committee (1968-77). Andy has been the ASUA Water Polo Committee Chairman (1963-75) and Executive Committee Secretary/Treasurer (1975-87). He was the U.S. Chef de Mission at the 1991 Perth World Championships and a founding member of the Association International de Arbitres de Water Polo (A1A), the International Water Polo Referees Association headquartered in Italy. Andy has served on the pool deck as director of the U.S. Outdoor National Championships (1978-86).
Additionally, he has been a member of ASUA since 1967, Executive Committee (1975-1996). He worked at various international competitions i.e.: 1968-1972, 1976, 1988 Olympic Games-official, 1978-1998 World Championship-FINA assistant, 1999 FINA World Cup and 2000 Olympic Games-consultant, 1997-1999 U.S. Cup and 1998 Goodwill Games-meet director; U.S. Team manager 1964; Member U.S. Olympic House of Delegates 1977-1990, Alternate Representative to USOC board of Delegates from U.S. Water Polo 1992-2000; 1967 Pan American Games, U.S. National level 1951-1978; U.S. Aquatic Sports: Secretary 1980-1990; Delegate at 1988 FINA Congress; U.S. Water Polo: Member of Board of Directors 1978-present, Executive Council 1995-present; Chairman Rules Committee 1978-1990; Director Outdoor National Championship eight times from 1978-1999; Manager U.S. Water Polo Team 1973 World Championships.
Joy Cushman
2005
Joy has participated in synchronized swimming ever since the days it was called water ballet, more than 65 years ago. She was her high school swim team captain, but performed water shows each year of 1939, ’40 and ’41. After the AAU officially recognized synchronized swimming in 1946, she became the Texas solo, duet and team champion (1948-1962). Joy coached the Shamrock Corkettes for more than 30 years.
But her most recognized international contribution to the sport is as an administrator, promoter and official. She was the first Synchronized Swimming official to serve in any USOC position – chief woman administrator for the 1972 Summer and Winter Olympics, the 1971 Pan American Games and the 1968-1972 quadrennial.
Achieving International Technical Official status in 1990, she has served as the chief official at 13 international championships (1991-1994) when only one team official was allotted for Synchro. She was the coach and manager of the U.S. team at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American Games and manager of the 1975 Pan American Games team when Kay Villen was coach. Her Pan Am experience led her to a charter position and member of ASUA for many years, four of them as chairperson of the Synchro Technical Committee.
She worked closely with FINA Presidents Ostos and Henning to get Synchro in the Pan AM Games and eventually the Olympic Games. Exhibitions were held at every Olympics from 1952 to 1984, when it became an official Olympic sport.
AS U.S. National Chairperson, Jr. Olympic competition was initiated, Age Group competition in 4 regions was begun, Sr. National qualifying scores were introduced, National Scoring Charts were printed, the All-American Awards point system was developed and ABC television coverage of the three national Championships was negotiated. As a promoter of synchro world wide, she hosted Red Cross workshops in the 1950’s, played a major role in the promotion of the sport in Mexico and south America hosting meets and clinics and developed the first Japanese-American dual meet and international tour in 1966. She has conducted clinics in Australia, Spain, New Zealand, Austria, Canada and Mexico. She has served as Chief Official at over 13 International Championships, including six Olympic Games, nine Pan Am Games and four World Championships. She was 12 years on the FINA Technical Synchro Swimming Committee- eight as Vice Chairman (1960-68) and four as Honorary Secretary (1968-1972). Among her many awards include the FINA Silver Pin and USSS Lillian MacKellar Distinguished Service Award.
Steve McFarland
2005
Steve McFarland has done everything there is to do in diving: dive, coach, market, administer, broadcast and promote.
He started at age ten with coach Dick Smith at Dick’s Swim gym in Phoenix. It gave him a foundation which he took back to Texas where he met and was inspired by divers Cynthia Potter, Cal Locke, Scott Pyle and Mike Malone. He almost chose trampoline over diving, but the NCAA dropped the sport. After two years at the University of Texas, he transferred to the University of Miami, diving for Tom Gompf and winning two AAU National Championships on platform, 1973, 1984 and two bronze medals at the World
University Games, 1974 in springboard and platform. In the summers he taught diving to kids in Tom’s learn to dive program. He performed in comedy shows and became an athlete representative in diving’s governing body, USA Diving.
His passion for the sport took him in many directions. He succeeded Tom as coach at Miami, where Steve worked with legendaries Greg Louganis and Phil Boggs and also coached four NCAA All-Americans (1977-1984). He was asked to be a television communicator for diving, broadcasting for NBC at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics (where the Pay Per View broadcast was the first complete live coverage of an Olympic Games), ESPN (1993-1996), Turner Broadcast Sports (1989-1992) and broadcasts with Outdoor Life Network, Prime Network FINA Video and HDTV Net. He was producer and narrator of “100 Years of Diving Success” shown at the successful 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials, which he hosted and conducted.
As a volunteer and administrator, Steve has been Vice President of USA Diving (1985-1993, 2004-present) and served as President (1994-1998). He has been an Olympic Diving Judge at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.
He was USA Diving Age Group Coach of the Year (1980). Steve, wife Beth (former Mission Viego diver) and sons Scott and Philip all have the passion for diving.
Rick Root
2005
Rick Root is president of the World Waterpark Association (WWA), an international not-for-profit trade association representing more than 1,100 members from more than 40 countries around the globe. More than 72 million people annually attend water parks in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Over 1600 water parks exist throughout the world
Since assuming his role with the WWA, Rick has refocused the organization to increase safety within the industry and to stimulate business growth, service improvement and innovation.
Under Rick’s leadership, the WWA located in Overland Park, Kansas, has significantly expanded its educational, member service and development programs, helping fuel industry growth domestically and abroad. The association maintains a consumer web site (www.waterparks.com) and publishes “World Waterpark Magazine”, the official magazine of the World Waterpark Association.
Rick has twice been recognized as one of the Top Who’s Who of Aquatic leadership in the United Sates and was selected as Difference Maker by Amusement Business magazine for his contributions to the World Waterpark Association.
Since Beginning his career 26 years ago as an American Red Cross lifeguard, Rick has been an active volunteer and instructor for the American Red Cross, ASTM International, Boy Scouts of America, Ellis & Associates, national Recreation and Parks Association, National Swimming Pool Foundation and the YMCA.
During this time he has held varied positions in privately held companies, the public sector and as an executive with the Silver Dollar City and Six Flags organizations. As an industry advocate, he is a frequent media spokesperson, industry speaker, published author and was recently selected as a founding board member of the new International Aquatic Foundation.
John Devitt
2004
John Devitt, Olympic gold medalist (2) and premier swimming administrator represents the best of Australia and Australia’s favorite sports, Aquatics.
Having a distinguished athletic career, John is best known for his victory over Lance Larson in the 100m Freestyle at the 1960, Rome Olympics. Often, forgotten in remembering the controversy, was John’s spontaneous congratulatory handshake given to Lance, prior to the result being announced. This fine sportsman accumulated eight medals in two Olympics, 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome. He held World Records 14 times and was a consistent winner in Australia and Commonwealth Championships.
John’s dedication to swimming continues as he currently has a leadership role in the Australian aquatic and Olympic communities, both as President of Australian Swimming, Inc. and Chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee.
A superb competitor of “paragon” proportions and a life-long contributor to aquatic sport, John Devitt is an honor and inspiration to our community.
Tom Griffiths
2004
Tom Griffiths, Ed.D. is one of the most prolific aquatic safety authors in America.
His major textbooks include, Sport Scuba Diving, in Depth, I & II, (Princeton Book Company 1983, 1990), The Complete Swimming Pool Reference, I & II (Sagamore Publishing, 1994, 2003), The Swimming Pool (Simon & Schuster, 1995), Better Beaches (NRPA 1999).
In addition to his books he has published more than 300 articles in a wide variety of publications including the “NYTimes”.
During the mid-‘90’s he spent more than five years collecting data from more than 10,000 working lifeguards through his National Lifeguard survey. His findings led to the development of the Five Minute Scanning Strategy which has been adopted by thousands of lifeguards world-wide. Dr. Griffiths Scanning Strategy also led to the development of Griff’s Guard Stations which promote vigilance. He has received numerous awards for his efforts in aquatic safety including NRPA’s “Distinguished Aquatic Professional”, the European Lifeguard Academy’s “Friend of the Academy,” and Aquatics International’s “Who’s Who in Aquatics.”
Richard J. Foster
2004
Richard J. Foster, Water Polo Hall of Famer and currently serving his second term as President of USA Water Polo, has been both an exceptional player and administrator.
Rich gained playing honors early as All City-All League at Woodrow Wilson High School, Long Beach, California. The powerful field player continued his aquatic success as Captain of the Long Beach Community College team and as an outstanding club player. His athletic career includes participation in State Junior College Championships (1970), NCAA Championships (1972) and AAU Senior/Junior Outdoor National Championships for the Phillips 66 Club (’67-’71).
Equal to his athletic prowess has been Rich’s commitment of administrative skills to USA Water Polo (formally United States Water Polo). His service has included a prolonged stint on the legal committee (’82-’90) as well as serving as General Counsel for USWP, Inc. On the international level, Rich has represented his sport on the United States Olympic Committee. His most recent success has been securing the 2004 Olympic Swim Trials for the city of Long Beach, California.
Rich Foster’s dedication to promoting water polo and implementing, through affective organization, “scoring this goal” has enriched the aquatic community.
Nicole Hoevertsz
2004
Nicole Hoevertsz, lawyer, Aruban delegate and representative to international conferences, sports woman, and often speaker; Nicole embodies the variety and excellence exemplary of a Paragon Award Recipient.
Nicole’s synchronized swimming athletic achievements begun in the ‘70’s include multiple Aruban and Antillean Championships, participation in Central American and Caribbean Championships, Dutch National Championships and the U. S. Nationals. She appeared in duet competition in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles where synchro made its debut.
Coach Hoevertsz began mentoring as a volunteer in the mid-eighties working with young Central American and Caribbean synchro swimmers. Her coaching career was highlighted by guiding the Aruban solo and duet team to the Seoul Olympics in 1988.
Sports administration accomplishments are centered in “The Barracudas” synchronized swim club as she served as board member through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s and was appointed an Honorary Member in 2003.
Her administrative talents have served the swimming community as well. Since 1991, Nicole Hoevertz is the Secretary General of the Aruban Swimming Federation and the Aruban Olympic Committee. Her most recent prestigious appointment is as a Member of the Women and Sports Commission of the International Olympic Committee.
She is a prominent lecturer on the issues of women in sports and legal concerns ranging from doping to sport’s association constitutions.
Robin M. N. Hood
2004
Robin M. N. Hood has been a timeless advocate of diving in Oceania and world-wide, serving on the FINA Technical Diving Committee since 1992.
His competitive career included finalist status in the 1966 British Commonwealth Games, Kingston, Jamaica and the 1968 Olympic Games, Mexico City, as well as 4 New Zealand National Championships.
Robin has been a Referee and/or Judge in over 30 world class competitions; the range of locales span the globe, from his homeland New Zealand to Scotland, Beijing, Rome, Atlanta, Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Bangkok, Sydney and Athens.
He generously continues to share his expertise and knowledge as a Guest lecturer at various FINA and Olympic Solidarity Diving Judges Clinics, world-wide.
Nanette “Nan” Zack
2004
Nanette “Nan” Zack is the personification of the spirit of Synchronized Swimming, “The Sport for Life”, the title of her recollection and reflection upon sixty years of synchro. Perpetually involved as athlete, coach and judge her contribution speaks volumes to the benefits and enjoyment of sport.
Her synchro activity began in the 1940’s as she swam, in high school and college. Her mini-memoir notes the Illinois 1951 Association Outdoor Championship held in the Naperville quarry. She found unforgettable, the icy water, lack of underwater speakers and putting putty in her nostrils rather than using nose clips. Another exceptional event in 1951 was an indoor championship at the Illinois Athletic Club, which was televised in black and white to Chicago area aficionados.
Nurtured in the “hot bed” of synchro team development, blessed with several Chicago area teams, and synchro swimming sister Jermaine, she joined the famous Lakeshore Athletic Club in 1948. Her career continued at Wright College where she co-captained the team with men’s co-captain Bob Schmidt.
Decades of development provided an opportunity to excel in Masters competition with a gold medal triumph for Betty Gaitsch, Laverne Mason and Nanette in the trio. The success was followed by 24 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze medals at Nationals and a gold in duet at the World Masters in 1992.
Nan’s coaching began in 1972 as she answered the call at Lattof YMCA and directed the Aqua Sprites. In the subsequent 25 years the Aqua Sprites excelled. The success culminated with Coach Zack honored as the Women’s Sports Foundation’s “Coach of the Year, 1998.”
Victory is synonymous with Nanette Stavoe Zack and she truly merits the accolade of “Paragon”.
Peter Hugo
2003
Peter Hugo has been Teacher, Athletic Director and Physical Education Chairperson at Great Neck North High School, Great Neck, NY. In 1978, the school asked him to coach the boys’ swim team. He had been a lifeguard while a student at SUNY Cortland but mostly a track athlete while in high school. He said, “yes,” and became determined to transfer the training principles used in track to swimming. Not only was he successful in getting the most from his athletes, he embarked on a swimming career that took him to the top service position in the nation.
His teams won four Nassau County Boys’ Championships, six Conference and five Division Championships. At one time (1994-1996), his teams had 49 straight wins with Peter being named County Coach of the Year six times. On the State level, he served as Meet Director for the NY State Swimming and Diving Championships, Secretary of the State public high school swimming committee and Meet Director for the U.S. Games for the Disabled.
In joining NISCA, Peter began a national service career that took him to the presidency (2001-2003) of this influential high school organization, which services over 5,000 high schools and 175,000 athletes. As President, he tried to keep the organization’s functions and goals as visible as possible and to open communication with other major national swimming organizations, always trying to help make improvements in competitive swimming throughout the U.S. He was recently appointed National Marketing Director of NISCA.
Peter coaches and administers as if everyone were part of one big family. He has earned the respect of his athletes and peers. He is a role model to his swimmers and to aspiring coaches.
Suity Cureton
2003
When Suity stepped off the bus in Marshall, Texas on August 24, 1949, at a Red Cross National Aquatics School, she was hooked. The school was at Camp Fern, staffed with people who made an impression on her. From that day on, Suity’s goal was to become a permanent part of these National Red Cross Schools.
It all began when she organized, supervised and taught swimming courses and lifesaving in Bosque County, Texas in a drain-and-fill pool where no water safety classes had been conducted. The first day in the water, after the pool was filled each week, was an exercise in pretending the water wasn’t cold. After a couple years, she moved to Pecos, Texas to another drain-and-fill pool. Her classes there were so popular she had to enlist volunteers to assist.
She joined her first National Aquatics School staff in 1950 by assisting in the office while working on her skills necessary to become a part of the teaching staff. By the time the last Aquatic School was held in her area in Kansas in 1989, she had been on staff at 56 National Schools and directed this last one. All this while, she never neglected her local communities by timing local programs so that they would not interfere with the dates of the Aquatic Schools. For many years she went to two schools, one in June and another in August.
Suity served on many committees during these years, both local and national. She was appointed National Volunteer Chairman for Health and Safety in 1990, answering directly to the National Office in Washington, D.C.
Suity made a lifetime of promoting health and safety. She taught swimming and lifesaving every summer as an unpaid volunteer wherever she happened to live. She joined the Commodore Longfellow Society in 1958, and at every opportunity promoted its objectives of educating the public to the importance of water safety. She served as National Commodore of the Society for two terms, the only woman to serve in that capacity. She is also a Golden Whale.
Suity was always available to talk to groups, promoting aquatic safety and enlisting others in the program. She preached the use of standards and was adamant about starting at the beginner level, making sure each little student could actually perform all the swimming skills listed on the back of his card.
Richard McCoy
2003
Richard McCoy attended Principia College in Illinois. After graduation, he worked three years for a national youth organization in Colorado. He later spent three years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, specializing in amphibious landing crafts.
He joined Mikasa Sports USA in 1976, and has served as President for the past 15 years. Being a lifelong surfer and swimmer from La Jolla, California, he has directed his company’s efforts to the sport of water polo. Emphasis is placed on the development of new and improved water polo products, and he has established supplier contracts with FINA, USA Water Polo and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. For a 12-year period, Mikasa has been a long-term, official corporate sponsor of United States Water Polo and has helped to raise the level of visibility in the sports community.
Sue Ahlf
2003
Sue Ahlf’s interest with synchronized swimming began in 1946 at the Athens Club in Oakland, California when Betty Brandlein and Hall of Famer Dawn Bean sparked her excitement. She became a volunteer with the U.S. Synchronized Swimming Pacific Association. In 1955, Sue founded the Soltau Swim Club in Danville, California and became an official synchronized swimming judge. After several successful years, the club dissolved and she worked with the Howell Swim Team.
But in 1968, she founded the Walnut Creek (CA) Aquanuts. She coached the club until 1980 when she moved to Hawaii. To date, Walnut Creek has won 30 U.S. National Championships and is coached by her Hall of Fame daughter, Gail Emery. While in Hawaii, Sue introduced synchronized swimming to the islands and hosted two each Pan-Pacific Games, Far Western Meets and U.S. National Championships.
Sue is an internationally ranked judge, synchro clinician and manager for two U.S. junior national teams. She is now involved in Sacramento’s (CA) recreation league teaching the basics of synchronized swimming to more than 600 athletes each year. She holds a B.S. in Recreation Management from Cal State Hayward. Sue is a 1983 U.S.S.S. Hall of Fame inductee and a current member of the U.S.S.S. Board of Governors. She is a tireless volunteer who has devoted her life to the advancement of synchronized swimming.
Jeff Cook
2003
In 2003, for the first time in its 130-year history, a diver was elected president of the Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain. For over 25 years, Jeff Cook had served both the ASA and the Amateur Sports Federation of Great Britain (ASFGB) as a diving administrator. Because of his genuine concern for all the aquatic disciplines, he now represents all aquatic disciplines in Britain.
From 1977, he has been responsible for the administration of diving in the U.K., which involved organizing all National Championships and international trials. Since his 1993 retirement from the Welwyn Hatfield City Council where he was responsible for all central administrative matters, he has been able to devote his full time to swimming and diving and has been a member of the ASA Committee and a director on the Board of the ASFGB. For over 25 years he has served as team manager, meet director, technical official and diving judge at numerous international competitions including FINA Diving Cups, European Diving Cups, Godwin Open Internationals, European Championships, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and Olympic Games.
He was appointed a member of the LEN Diving Committee from 1990-1994 and re-appointed in 1998. In 2000, he was appointed a member of the FINA Technical Diving Committee responsible for determining the direction of international diving. He was director of diving at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. In 1993, he was awarded the LEN Bronze Medal and four years later received the FINA Silver Pin for services to international diving. He has been a speaker at FINA International Judges’ Symposiums and, along with serving as a federation technical delegate in swimming and diving competitions, he was a federation delegate at the 2002 FINA World Masters Congress in New Zealand.
Jeff has provided effective and inspirational leadership to swimming and diving, not only in Great Britain, but throughout the world. His positions as team manager, coach, judge and administrator in numerous competitions, seminars and clinics held annually throughout the country and the world have been inspirational in promoting worldwide advancement of the aquatic disciplines.
Paragon Aquatics
2003
Paragon Aquatics, a division of Pentair Pool Products, Inc., has been a pioneer in the development of equipment for the professional aquatics market, ranging from starting platforms, diving towers and stands, to lifeguard chairs and filter systems.
The company was founded in 1956 by Leonard Berens and Philip Sperber, and was originally known as Paragon Swimming Pool Equipment Company. They provided a comprehensive line of products for swimming pools, including chemicals and paints. As the company evolved, Paragon began to focus on the design and manufacture of equipment for the commercial market and institutional pools, including underwater windows, underwater lights, starting platforms, diving towers, etc. These products provided the foundation of the company’s current product offering.
In 1969, the KDI Corporation purchased Paragon Swimming Pool Equipment, which was renamed KDI Paragon, becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of KDI, including the swimming pool segment of KDI. Also included in this group were Sylvan Pools and American Products.
During the 1990s, Paragon went through a number of ownership changes. As a result of the 1997 acquisition of the company by Essef Corporation, Paragon became a division of Essef’s PacFab subsidiary. Then, in 1999, Essef was purchased by Pentair, Inc., a Minneapolis-based New York Stock Exchange holding company. Due to that acquisition and also to the acquisition of the Stark commercial filtration line, the company is now known as Paragon Aquatics, Division of Pentair Pool Products, Inc.
Since 1996, Paragon has sponsored the Annual Paragon Awards at the International Swimming Hall of Fame to honor outstanding individuals in the areas of competitive swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized swimming, as well as contributors in the fields of aquatic safety and recreational swimming.
