Happy Birthday to Two-Time Olympic Butterfly Champion Denis Pankratov!
Denis Pankratov (RUS) 2004 Honor Swimmer
FOR THE RECORD: 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: 6th (200m butterfly); 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (100m, 200m butterfly), silver (4x100m medley relay); 2000 OLYMPIC GAMES: 7th (200m butterfly); SEVEN WORLD RECORDS: 2-100m butterfly, 1-200m butterfly, 1-50m butterfly (S.C.), 2-100m butterfly (S.C.), 1-200m butterfly (S.C.); 1994 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP: gold (200m butterfly), silver (4x100m medley), bronze (100m butterfly); 1993 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (200m butterfly, 4x100m medley), silver (100m butterfly); 1995 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS: gold (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 4x100m medley).
On July 4, 1974, in Volgograd, Russia, Denis Pankratov was born. He was to become the greatest butterfly swimmer to swim for his country. He and Volgograd teammate, Evgenyi Sadovyi, both became Olympic champions – Sadovyi in the 200m and 400m freestyle and Pankratov in the 100m and 200m butterfly.
By age 16, in 1990 and again in 1991, Denis won the Junior European Championships in the butterfly. With little international experience, the next year he placed 6th in the final of the 200m butterfly at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Games. In 1993, at the Sheffield European Championships, Pankratov became more noticed, winning gold medals in the 200m butterfly and 4x100m medley and a silver medal in the 100m butterfly. In European Championship competition, he repeated this performance in the 1995 Vienna Championships, this time winning all three gold medals and breaking Pablo Morales’ nine-year-old 100m butterfly world record with a 52.32. He held the 100m butterfly world record for over two years.
At the 1994 World Championships in Rome, Pankratov swam head-to-head with all the best swimmers of the world. He won the 200m butterfly, placed second in the 4x100m medley and third in the 100m butterfly. This competition established Pankratov’s world dominance in the butterfly and two years later in Atlanta, at the 1996 Olympic Games, he won two gold medals, one each in the 100m and 200m butterfly and a silver medal in the 4x100m medley with his Russian teammates. His 100m butterfly victory was another world record of 52.27, breaking his own record set the previous year.
Pankratov tried for the 2000 Sydney Games and finished 7th in the 200m butterfly. All totaled, he set seven world records – three long course and four short course. His two long course 100m butterfly world records stood for two years until broken in 1997 by Michael Klim (AUS), and his 200m butterfly world record of 1:55.22 lasted five years before broken by Tom Malchow (USA). His short course world records included two in the 100m butterfly and one each in the 50m and 200m butterfly. They were set in 1997, his in-between years of the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games.
Denis Pankratov is the only Russian swimmer to win a medal in the 100m butterfly in Olympic competition.
Happy Birthday to Olympic Gold Medalist Mark Lenzi, who would have been 53 today…….
MARK LENZI (USA) Honor Diver
FOR THE RECORD: 1992 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (3m springboard); 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES: bronze (3m springboard); 1991 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: silver (1m springboard); 1989, 1991 FINA WORLD CUP: gold (1m springboard-1989, 3m springboard-1991); 1991 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (1m springboard); 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996 ALAMO INTERNATIONAL: 3 bronze, 2 silver (1m, 3m springboard); 1989-1996 INTERNATIONAL INVITATIONALS: 5 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze (1m, 3m springboard) (Alamo Challenge, Australia, New Zealand, Madrid, Rome); 8 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-1m springboard, 4-3m springboard.
Mark Lenzi trained to be a high school wrestler in Fredericksburg, Virginia but was so inspired during his last year in high school when watching Greg Louganis win two gold medals in the 1984 Olympic Games he switched to diving. This was a momentous decision for Mark. Even at this late age in his athletic career he became one of the world’s best divers.
Indiana University and Hall of Fame Diving Coach Hobie Billingsley was so thrilled by the potential of this young diver he offered him a scholarship just out of high school, with less than a year’s experience. At five feet-four inches, 160 pounds, Mark Lenzi proved Coach Billingsley to be right. Billingsley groomed Lenzi to winning two NCAA National Championships (1989, 1990) in the one-meter springboard, becoming NCAA Diver of the Year in both of those years. By age 21, in 1989, he made his first U.S. National Team. The next year he graduated from Indiana with a General Studies degree. After graduation he continued diving and preparing for the 1992 Olympic Games. Now coached by Hall of Fame Coach Dick Kimball, Lenzi was the 1991 and 1992 Phillips 66 Diver of the Year. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Lenzi won the gold medal on the three-meter springboard by a whopping 31 points, defeating China’s Tan Liangde and Russian Dmitri Sautin. He was named the World Springboard Diver of the Year and was an AAU Sullivan Award nominee and finalist.
Following the Barcelona Games, Lenzi retired from competition. In 1994, he earned a private pilot’s license from ComAir Aviation Academy. During a 20-month period he was going through “post-Olympic blues.” When he emerged in 1993, he was determined to make it back into Olympic competition and strive for another Olympic medal. He competed in numerous international competitions in preparation for the Games. At the 1996 U.S. Olympic Diving Trials he qualified second on the three-meter springboard. At the competition in Atlanta he won the bronze medal behind Xiong Ni and Yu Zhoucheng, both of China and all within 15 points of each other.
All totaled, Lenzi won 16 international competitions on one- and three-meter boards in Pan American Games, F.I.N.A. World Cups, Alamo Cups, Australia Invitationals and other competitions. During his career, Lenzi became the first diver to score over 700 points (762.35) on the three-meter springboard for 11 dives, surpassing Greg Louganis’s 1983 world record for the highest ever score. He became the first diver to score over 100 points on a single dive (reverse 3-1/2 tuck) and the first American to complete a forward 4-1/2 somersault in competition. At the 1991 World Championships, he won the silver medal in diving’s new international event, the one-meter springboard.
ISHOF Curator, Bob Duenkel to be inducted into ISHOF Class of 2021 as Honor Contributor
by MEG KELLER-MARVIN
01 July 2021, 09:30am
Bob Duenkel’s greatest contribution to swimming, was his 40+ years of dedication and service to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, which he began in 1976. As ISHOF CEO, Buck Dawson’s assistant, he absorbed the history of swimming like a sponge, and not just from Dawson, but from the real greats, like Johnny Weissmuller, Eleanor Holm, Buster Crabbe, Esther Williams and many, many more.
Bob Duenkel on Canada Day
Duenkel’s knowledge of swimming history was encyclopedic. He studied and knew all the minutiae of swimming and swimmers, from the ancient Greek swimmer Leander to the most recent inductee, every Olympiad, every event, every time and every stroke.
Come and hear Duenkel’s incredible life story and commitment to aquatics history at the ISHOF Induction dinner on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Become an ISHOF Legacy Member and attend the ISHOF Induction Dinner for FREE. Can’t attend the event? Please consider donating to ISHOF, support Duenkel and our other inspirational Honorees.
Bob Duenkel with Olympian Michael Phelps at the International Swimming Hall of Fame
More about Bob Duenkel:
Bob Duenkel was the ISHOF museum curator and presided over 40 years of ISHOF Induction ceremonies. From 2004-2005 he served as interim CEO and Executive Director until his retirement in 2016. For any visitor to ISHOF, Duenkel was an invaluable resource, always there to tell a story, clarify any facts or just to toss off a quip or two. He made a wonderful ambassador of ISHOF to any and every event he attended, whether it was the NCAA’s, Olympic Trials or the Association of Sports Museums and Hall of Fame, Duenkel was admired and respected by all who knew him.
Bob Duenkel speaking at the International Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
He was given the Glenn Hummer Award in 1997 by USA Swimming. In 1997, he was named one of “Who’s Who in Aquatics” by Aquatics International Magazine. He was inducted into the West Orange (NJ) Hall of Fame in 2018, and that same year, he was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame.
Bob Duenkel speaking outside the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
About the International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Weekend:
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Induction Ceremony is shaping up to be a star-studded weekend with ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines acting as co-emcees and hosts of the induction with multiple events spread out over two days in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Make your plans now to attend the weekend of October 8-9, 2021! ISHOF Members can purchase the Complete Weekend Package (see below) and save! (Get info on membership here.) Can’t attend the event? Donate to ISHOF to support our honorees.
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
HONOR SWIMMERS: Brendan Hansen (USA), Michael Klim (AUS), Jon Sieben (AUS), Rebecca Soni (USA), and Daichi Suzuki (JPN)
HONOR DIVER: Matthew Mitcham (AUS)
HONOR SYNCHRONIZED (ARTISTIC) SWIMMER: Elvira Khasyanova (RUS)
HONOR WATER POLO: Mirko Vicevic (YUG/MON)
HONOR OPEN WATER SWIMMER: Marilyn Bell (CAN)
HONOR COACH: Ursula Carlile (AUS) and David Marsh (USA)
HONOR CONTRIBUTOR: Bob Duenkel*(USA) and Peter Hürzeler (SUI)
*deceased
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 8, 2021
Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night
5:30 pm Cocktails
6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction
12-1:30 pm Luncheon
Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame and Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm VIP Reception
6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
Ticket Information
October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF & Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and ISHOF & MISHOF Induction Ceremony)
ISHOF Members $350
ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!
October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm
ISHOF Members $75
ISHOF Non-Members $100
October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm
ISHOF Members $35
ISHOF Non-Members $50
October 9th ISHOF & Masters Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm
ISHOF Members $275
ISHOF Non-Members $300
10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options
*See all ticket options here.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night
Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021
Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367
Rob Butcher Joins ISHOF’s One in a Thousand Campaign: ‘It Is an Honor to Support’
by ANDY ROSS
30 June 2021, 08:53am
Swim Across America CEO Rob Butcher has become the latest to join ISHOF’s One in a Thousand program, designed to help the Hall of Fame prosper during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“ISHOF has so many stories how water & swimming have impacted humanity that it is an honor to support ISHOF with One in a Thousand so we can continue to share our love for aquatics,” Rob Butcher said.
Butcher has been involved in aquatics for many many years as the former executive director of U.S. Masters Swimming, where he stepped down in late 2015 to join Swim Across America.
Rob Butcher came to USMS in 2008 from professional car racing, where he was the chief marketing officer for the World Racing Group and served as marketing director for the International Speedway Corporation. He helped increase the NASCAR and Indy Racing brands through sponsorships and partnerships with major corporations.
Butcher has plenty of swimming experience, having swum for Georgia Southern University in the early 1990s. He competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 100 breaststroke where he was 57th overall at age 28.
Rob Butcher Swim Across America CEO
As executive director at USMS, Rob Butcher made an immediate impact. He moved the organization’s headquarters to Sarasota and created a full-time staff to revitalize the USMS brand. Not only did he help create a new logo, but his team redesigned the USMS website, that allowed members to find places to swim across the country, track meet results, and log workout distances through the new ‘Go the Distance’ program.
One of the things Rob Butcher hoped to do in his time as executive director was grow active membership to 50,000 athletes. He managed to do that in 2009 after just one year on the job. That number continued to grow as Butcher and his staff worked to make USMS visible to several demographics. Through the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation, adult learn-to-swim programs flourished around the country, bringing new members to the organization. The increased exposure was not missed by college students who were not part of NCAA teams, who flocked to Masters swimming to continue their athletic careers.
Marketing the sport was another goal for Butcher. Using collaborations with Olympic champions Rowdy Gaines and Misty Hyman, he helped get the word out about the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation, as well as the annual High Performance Camp in Colorado. USMS was also a sponsoring organization of the SwimToday campaign, an advertising initiative to bring people of all ages and abilities into swimming.
One of Rob Butcher’s top accomplishments was securing the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebraska as the site of the 2012 USMS summer nationals, held three days after the Olympic Trials. Participation at Masters nationals continues to hover close to 2,000, and Butcher was almost always racing while doing his executive director duties.
Join the One in a Thousand Club by helping ISHOF on a monthly or one-time basis.
$10 Monthly Commitment
$25 Monthly Commitment
$50 Monthly Commitment
Make a One-Time Commitment
For larger corporate sponsorships and estate-planning donations, please contact us at customerservice@ishof.org.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame wants to know if you are one in a thousand? We think you are! Show how special you are and become a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s “One In A Thousand” Club. Help keep the International Swimming Hall of Fame moving forward toward a new vision and museum by joining now!
During these unprecedented times, the ISHOF Board is calling on every member in the aquatic community to make a small monthly commitment of support to show how special you are and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
“Our goal is simple. If we get 1,000 people to simply commit $10, $25 or $50 per month, we will generate enough revenue to go beyond this Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis.” – Bill Kent – Chairman of the ISHOF Board
“Those that believe in our vision, mission, and goals can join us in taking ISHOF into the future and be a part of aquatic history.” – Brent Rutemiller – CEO and President of ISHOF
Since 1965, ISHOF has been the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. ISHOF’s vision for the future is to build a new museum and expand its reach by offering its museum artifacts digitally through a redesigned website.
The ISHOF Board of Directors is calling on all members of the aquatics community to make a small monthly commitment to show their dedication to aquatics and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
LEAVE A REPLY
City of Fort Lauderdale Hosts Topping Out Ceremony For Historic Permanent High Diving Tower
by ANDY ROSS
01 July 2021, 03:27pm
On Thursday, the City of Fort Lauderdale hosted the topping out ceremony to celebrate the last piece of steel being erected for the permanent 27m diving tower as part of the ongoing International Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatic Complex construction.
The permanent high diving tower will be the first in the western hemisphere and just the second in the entire world, with the other being in Zhaoqing, China. In May of 2019, the city of Fort Lauderdale was in the early stages of evaluating the construction of an iconic High Diving Tower, and in July 2020 the city commissioners voted to fully fund the 27-meter dive tower and an Observation Deck.
The last piece to be topped off. Photo Courtesy: Andy Ross
“Special thanks need to go out to Mayor Dean Trantalis and City Manager Chris Logerbloom for their vision and Bruce Wigo for championing this possibility. A big “Thank You” to Vice Mayor Heather Moraitis, Commissioners Steve Glassman, Ben Sorrenson, and Robert Mckinzie for their support.
“The City Parks and Recreation department led by Phil Thornberg should be proud of this accomplishment along with Laura Voet and Hansel Phelps who oversaw this construction. This is a special day for the diving community worldwide and will truly reinforce Fort Lauderdale as THE international destination for diving and aquatic sports.” – Brent Rutemiller President and CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, who was not present due to his ongoing battle with plasma cell leukemia.
University of Miami divers with the Fort Lauderdale diving team members. Photo Courtesy: Andy Ross
Special guests for the dedication included World High Diving Champion Steven LoBue, the first diver to complete an inward quintuple somersault with a half-twist in the tuck position, degree of difficulty five-point-four. FINA High Diving Technical Committee Chair and Olympian Tom Gompf, USA Diving Olympians Dave Burgering, Jevon Tarantino, Michelle Davidson-Sandelin, University of Miami head coach Randy Ableman and USA National Team Members for the Hurricanes David Dinsmore, Zach Cooper and Briadam Herrera.
Steve LoBue. Photo Courtesy: Andy Ross
“It’s an honor to be in my position and help guide the sport of high diving towards the Olympics,” LoBue said. “It is a tremendous honor to have this here in our backyard in the city of Fort Lauderdale to help continue the historic track record of diving excellence that this city has. Fort Lauderdale is really deeply rooted in the hearts of the diving community. We are super excited to have the structure go up and what a big step for the sport of high diving towards our Olympic dream.”
“This is going to be the Taj Mahal of diving – not just high diving,” ISHOF Honor Contributor Tom Gompf said. “The whole world is anxious to come back to this venue. We have shown the pictures of these plans around the world and it is going to be great. I am so proud Fort Lauderdale has endorsed this project and we have had various amounts of support in the past and this has been fantastic. We have had tremendous history already but it is going to get better.”
The City Commission, acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners, approved funding to support the addition of a north observation deck and 27-meter dive tower as part of the ongoing improvements at the aquatic center at a total cost of $7,870,261.
Artist’s rendition of the Hall of Fame diving well.
The high diving tower has been constructed using precast concrete sections and includes decorative glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) cladding and decorative lighting.
The $5,101,060 cost will be paid for with CRA funds. The north observation deck adds approximately 2,800 square feet of amenity space and includes new elevator and stair tower access, architectural GFRC cladding on the building, and decorative railings and lighting. The $2,769,201 cost will be paid for with park impact fees.
The 27-meter dive tower includes nine platform levels and combines springboard (one-meter, three-meter), platform diving (one-meter, three-meter, five-meter, seven-point-five-meter, 10-meter) and high diving (15-meter, 20-meter, 24-meter and 27-meter).
The design-build construction team is led by Fort Lauderdale-based Hensel Phelps Construction Company. The tower is constructed of 96 precast concrete panels, and rests on a foundation five-feet deep and 53-feet wide, supported by 35 augercast piles at a depth of 60-feet. There are 162 stairs to the top of the tower.
While there is a long history of high diving feats, the sport was first recognized as the sixth aquatic discipline in 2014 by Federation International de Natation (FINA), the world’s international governing body. At a height of 27-meters, a diver can reach speeds up to 60 mph in 3 seconds.
The Aquatic Center is scheduled for substantial completion in September 2022.
ISHOF 2021 Induction Ceremony to include Masters Class of 2021
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce that it will be including this year’s MISHOF (Masters) prestigious Class of 2021 to its Saturday evening Induction program. This year ISHOF will add the MISHOF (Masters) Class of 2021’s nine honorees from five countries; four swimmers, one coach, one diver, one water polo player, one synchronized swimmer, and one contributor. ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines will be co-emcees and hosts of the induction on Saturday, October 9, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
This year’s 2021 MISHOF, Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame honorees include:
SWIMMERS:
EDITH BÖHM (GER)
Since 1986, Edith Bohm has been in the Top Ten 22 times until 2008 when she competed in her last swim meet in Bavaria. She set 15 long course and 13 short course FINA Masters World Records in the breaststroke, one of them lasting seven years. Bohm has competed in seven FINA Masters World Championships between 1986 and 2004 winning a total of 29 medals, 18 of them gold.
OLGA KOKORINA (RUS)
Photo Courtesy: Olga Kokorina
Russia’s Olga Kokorina, born in 1923, has been a swimmer her entire life but did not start swimming Masters until 1998.. She broke world records in almost every competition she entered. Her last recorded races were in 2015 where she swam in the 90-94 age group at the Russian Masters cup. In her 17 years in Masters swimming she broke 34 world records and won more than 50 gold medals.
CLAY BRITT (USA)
Clay Britt has been swimming competitively for 54 straight years. He has 23 FINA Masters World Records to his name and has competed in seven age groups. He has been in the Top Ten every year for a total of 30 times, between the years 1988 through 2018.
SHIGEHISA SEKIKAWA (JPN)
Since 1991, Shigehisa Sekikawa has been in the Top Ten world rankings 24 times. He has set 14 long course and 17 short course FINA backstroke Masters World Records. His 1998 200m backstroke short course world record in the 65 to 70 age group stood for 7 years.
DIVER
DAVID COTTON (USA)
Photo Courtesy: David Cotton
David Cotton has competed in USA Masters Nationals since 1992, has competed in the Pan Am Masters, the Masters World Games and eight FINA World Championships, winning 26 World Championship medals: 11 gold, 12 silver and three bronzes. He has set two world records.
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER
BIRTE HOHLSTEIN – JANSSEN (GER)
Photo Courtesy: Birte Hohlstein
Birte Hohlstein-Janssen has been a loyal Masters synchronized swimmer since 1994. Birte has attended 11 FINA Masters World Championships since 1994 and has won at least one gold or silver medal in 10 of the 11 meets. This success comes despite being hampered by the fact that there is no Masters team in her region. So she and Silke have been limited to only doing solo and duet, except when they briefly joined a team based in Berlin. This brought them the gold medal in team, as well as duet, at the 1998 FINA Worlds in Casablanca, Morocco.
WATER POLO PLAYER:
GUENTER WOLF (GER)
Günter Wolf was an active water polo player from 1962 to 1978, a five-time German National Champion. Wolf played 131 matches for the German National Team between 1969 and 1976 and took part in the 1972 (4th) and 1976 (6th) Olympic Games. From 2000 until now he has been involved with Masters Water Polo. With his team SC Duesseldorf, he has participated in eight FINA Masters World Championships, winning five gold, two silver and one bronze.
CONTRIBUTOR:
ROSE CODY (PUR)
Photo Courtesy: Rose Cody
Rose Cody is one of the most influential people in Masters Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming. She became a member of the FINA Masters Committee in 1994 and remained on the committee until 2017. During this time she served as the Synchronized Swimming Director at every FINA Masters World Championships from 1994 through 2017.
She was a FINA judge from 1976 to 2004 when mandatory age requirements caused her retirement. She has been a referee, judge and administrator at all events from grassroots 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.
COACH:
KERRY O’BRIEN (USA)
Kerry O’Brien. Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Archive
Kerry O’Brien’s engagement and commitment to swimming has been a lifelong endeavor. His participation in U.S. Masters Swimming has resulted in significant enhanced member benefits such as increased skill development, participation and overall enjoyment. Kerry’s contributions and service to U.S. Masters have focused on all facets of coaching. His 40-year tenure leading Walnut Creek Masters defines his is a legacy of service and giving back to the sport.
The ISHOF and MISHOF Induction Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 8, 2021
Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night
5:30 pm Cocktails
6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction
12-1:30 pm Luncheon
Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame and Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm VIP Reception
6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
Ticket Information
October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony)
ISHOF Members $350
ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!
October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm
ISHOF Members $75
ISHOF Non-Members $100
October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm
ISHOF Members $35
ISHOF Non-Members $50
October 9th ISHOF and Masters Induction Ceremony and Dinner
5:30 pm
ISHOF Members $275
ISHOF Non-Members $300
10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options
*See all ticket options here.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night
Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021
Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367
Happy Birthday Nobutaka Taguchi !!!
Nobutaka Taguchi (JPN) 1987 Honor Swimmer
FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1972 gold (100m, 200m breaststroke); 1976 member of Japan Olympic Team; WORLD RECORDS: 2 (100m breaststroke); WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1973 bronze (100m, 200m breaststroke); 1975 silver (100m breaststroke).
In 1972, Nobutaka Taguchi won Japan’s first Olympic swimming gold medal since 1956. Fifteen years is a long dry spell for the proud nation that held the world’s first competitive swimming championships in 1810. Japan dominated the 1932 and 1936 Olympics and won the breaststroke crown in 1928, 1932, 1936 and 1956 in spite of three radical rule changes that completely changed the stroke each time.
Taguchi did it all alone in 1972 beating three Americans in his Olympic victory. He was the only Nippon winner, as Americans dominated the 1971 Japanese Nationals the year before the Olympics, and he followed his Olympic triumph by again beating John “the rocket” Hencken in the Santa Clara Invitational in 1973. Taguchi’s accomplishments are all the more remarkable in that he won during a five year era dominated by Hencken and David Wilkie, two of the greatest breaststrokers of all time. He also bronzed behind “the Rocket” and the “Flying Scott” in the 200 breaststroke at Munich and in both breaststrokes in the 1975 World Championships at Cali. He closed out his career at the Olympics in Montreal.
The highlight of his career was definitely his “Lone Ranger” over three Olympic champions and a fourth world record holder in Munich. Taguchi is today a world renowned construction executive, a fitting follow up for Japan’s best constructed swimmer in many years.
ISHOF 2012 Honor Open Water Swimmer Chad Hundeby dies at age 50……
Chad Hundeby, 2012 ISHOF Honor Open Water Swimmer, died suddenly on Saturday, June 12, 2021; He was just 50 years old. His brother Coleman said he suffered an apparent heart attack.
The Open Water and Marathon Swimming community is in shock over the passing of this young man but he certainly leaves a spectacular swimming legacy behind for his three young sons to be proud of.
If there was one thing that everyone in the swimming community agreed on when it came to Chad Hundeby, it was how humble he was.
In 1994, when Hundeby decided to swim the English Channel, he didn’t set out to break the record that his coach Penny Lee Dean had set 16 years earlier, “I just wanted to get across,” he had said. But break her record he did, swimming across the shipping lanes from Dover to Cap Gris Nez in seven hours and 17 minutes, a finish that knocked 23 minutes off Dean’s record. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer person to destroy your record” she said at the time. That record held for an amazing 21 years.
“There was no more humble and quiet professional marathon swimming champion like Chad,” remembers Steven Munatones, Founder of World Open Water Swimming Association. “He won nearly every professional marathon swim in the world during his career – and you would never know it. He didn’t brag or boast. He swam, he won, he moved onto the next race. He was such a gentleman with so many achievements to his name. He will be sorely missed.”
Hundeby swam in college at Southern Methodist University, but when he failed to make the 1988 Olympic team, he decided to concentrate solely on open water swimming.
In 1991, Hundeby won the first-ever FINA World Open Water Championships, a 25 kilometer race down the Swan River in Perth, Australia, where thousands of spectators lined the course. He finished in a remarkable time of just over five hours.
In 1993, he set the Catalina Channel record at eight hours, 14 minutes from the island to the mainland. He was honored as USA’s Open Water Swimmer of the Year in 1991, 1993 and 1994, long before the discipline was added to the Olympic lineup. Hundeby was also named the IMSA/FINA World Series Champion three times.
Hundeby is survived by his wife, Jean Marie, sons Anders, Hayden, and Marcus, brother, Coleman, and parents Ted and Jan of Irvine. Funeral arrangements are pending, Coleman said.
Happy Birthday Tiffany Cohen!
TIFFANY COHEN (USA) 1996 Honor Swimmer
FOR THE RECORD: 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES: gold (400m and 800m freestyle); 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: bronze (400m freestyle); 1983 PAN AMERICAN GAMES: gold (400m and 800m freestyle); 14 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS: 400m, 800m 1000yd, 1500m freestyle.
She swam at a time when Tracy Wickham of Australia held all the world records in the 400m, 800m and 1500m freestyles and most of them for a period of nine and one-half years. But Tiffany Lisa Cohen (TLC for short) was a competitor, and she raced whomever was next to her. Said her coach Mark Schubert, “Tiffany has that great ability to rise to the occasion when the gun goes off.”
Cohen joined the Mission Viejo Swim Team in 1980 and swam her first U.S. Nationals one year later in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, winning the 400m freestyle, the first of fourteen U.S. National Championships in the 400m, 800m 1000m and 1500m freestyle events.
In only her second complete year of competition, she won the bronze medal in the 400m freestyle behind GDR swimmers Carmela Schmidt and Petra Schneider at the 1982 World Championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The following year her international competitions were at the Caracas Pan American Games where she won gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyles and the Pan Pacific Championships where she again won the 400m and 800m freestyles.
Tiffany likes to be the leader both in and out of the water. She sets a good example and has a good attitude about competing in sport and life. She enjoys helping people and has that burning desire to succeed.
So when the Olympic Games of 1984 came, she was ready to take on the world and particularly East Germany’s Astrid Strauss who narrowly defeated Tiffany earlier in the year at the U.S. Swimming International. But the head to head competition was not to happen as the GDR boycotted the Games. Tiffany swam to an American record by winning the 400m freestyle and an Olympic record by winning the 800m freestyle, only 33 one-hundredths of a second short of Hall of Famer Tracy Wickham’s world record. It was an Olympic performance of which to be proud.
Following the Olympics of Los Angeles, Tiffany continued to compete and win, helping her Mission Viejo team on its way to a record number of national championships. She attended the University of Texas, winning five NCAA National titles for her team and coach Richard Quick. Said Quick of Cohen, “Tiffany has the mark of a champion. Just to swim well isn’t enough. She doesn’t like losing.”
In 1987, Tiffany retired from competitive swimming to battle bulimia, an eating disorder. She has embarked on a campaign to educate the public about the perils of eating disorders. She and her husband Bill are expecting their first child, and she will continue her lecturing career and concentrate on being a full-time mom. That’s Tiffany – focused both in and out of the water.
On this day in 1924, Sir Peter Heatly was born…….
Sir Peter Heatly (GBR) 2016 Honor Contributor
FOR THE RECORD: MEMBER FINA TECHNICAL DIVING COMMITTEE: 1966-1988 (Chairman 1984-1988), Honorary Secretary (1972-1984); MEMBER LEN TECHNICAL DIVING COMMITTEE: 1966–1988; CHAIRMAN OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEDERATION: 1982-1990; APPOINTED LIFE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES FEDERATION: 1990; 1948 OLYMPIC GAMES: diving competitor, (5th); 1952 OLYMPIC GAMES: diving competitor; 1950 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: gold (10m Platform); 1954 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: silver (3m Springboard); 1958 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: gold (10m platform); 1966 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Scottish Team Manager; 1974 COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Scottish Team Manager; CHAIRMAN OF THE SCOTTISH SPORTS COUNCIL: 1975-1987.
As a swimmer, he was the Scottish freestyle champion and record holder over several distances between 1942 and 1947 before deciding to concentrate on diving. Self-taught and self-coached, he won gold medals at the 1950, 1954 and 1958 Commonwealth Games on the 10-meter platform and represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games in 1948 in London and in 1952 in Helsinki.
After Peter Heatly’s career as an athlete ended, he decided to give back to the sports he so loved. He would serve the aquatic sports in some capacity for over seventy years at the local, national and international levels as either a manager, official or administrator.
Peter joined the FINA and LEN technical diving committees in 1966, serving as Honorary Secretary of the FINA Committee from 1972 to 1984 and Chairman from 1984 to 1988. He was selected Chairman of the Great Britain Swimming Federation in 1981 and again in 1992. He served as chairman of the National Scottish Learn to Swim Campaign from 1964 to 1974 and went on to become Chairman of the Scottish Sports Council from 1975 to 1987.
Heatly was involved in 17 consecutive Commonwealth Games from 1950 to 2014, becoming Vice -Chairman of the Organizing Committee, when the Games were held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1970, and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Federation from 1982 to 1990 after the first ever balloted election.
As a Chartered Civil Engineer, he produced and delivered papers on the design of swimming pools to professional bodies both in Great Britain and Europe. He also received Honorary Doctorates from three universities for his contributions to the sport.
Peter Heatly was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1971 and in 1990 was installed as a Knight of the Realm by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. He was inducted into the Scottish Hall of Fame in 2002 and into the Scottish Swimming Hall of Fame in 2010.
