~My personal memories of a great woman and friend~

My birth certificate says that I hit the big 6-0 last November, but like a lot of us, in my heart, I am still running down the halls of my high school trying to find out what’s going on for the weekend. So, when I got the news today, that my dear friend, ISHOF Honoree, Judy McGowan had died suddenly, my first thought was that it was a mistake. Now, I know Judy is older than me by 20+ years but it still was just not possible.

I first met Judy at one of the first United States Aquatic Sports conventions that we (ISHOF) attended back in the early 1990’s. I cannot tell you when or how exactly I met her, but she was always so nice and welcoming to me and the other ISHOF staffers. You would have never known what a big shot she really was in the world of aquatic sports…… The truth is, the synchro “girls”, as they were called at convention, always had a reputation of being the most fun out of all the sports at convention. Now, I cannot absolutely lump Judy into that category because I don’t remember specifically that far back, but something tells me she was right in there having fun with the rest of them. Even if she was probably in charge of them.

Judy was inducted in ISHOF in 2009 as an Honor Contributor. More than well deserved. She did more for the sport of synchronized swimming than anyone would believe. It was from that time, that I really got to know Judy. I worked with her on her induction and from then on we just kind of kept in touch. Not every week, or even every month, mind you, but when we would chat, it would be long calls, and we’d talk about everything.

Judy and I worked together on the synchronized swimming Honorees and once I took over the Selection Committee and balloting duties, we would talk almost everyday during the selection process period. And she was always one step ahead of me, with nominations, ballot entries, awards, you name it, if I needed it, Judy already had it. Judy had the most amazing stories. She knew everyone, met everyone, and was witness to so many major events……I would tell her she needed to write a book. Her life in synchronized swimming alone was enough for a book, but she had stories that led into so many other stories! Olympics, Presidents, travels, trips, athletes; she lived a rock stars life! (Maybe I’m exaggerating a little). Judy being Judy she repeatedly told me that she was most worried about getting the part of her house with the 60 years of synchro history organized, so when she finally did pass, no one would have to worry about it, it could all just be sent down to us (ISHOF). She wanted to make it easy on her kids and then us when we got it. :}

The last couple of years Judy and I have spoken regularly every other week or so, and since January of this year, we have basically talked every other day or so; it was selection committee/ballot season. I am going to miss her stories, how wise she was, her guidance and advice, her opinions, and her love. The sport of synchronized swimming will have a giant hole to fill with the loss of Mrs. Judith McGowan. We’ll never be able to replace her. I know I won’t……

Please take a moment to read her biography from her induction. She had many firsts, especially as a woman in leadership in the sports arena.

Judy McGowan (USA)

Honor Synchronized / Artistic Swimmer /Contributor (2009)

The information on this page was written the year of their induction.

FOR THE RECORD: 55 YEARS A COMPETITOR, COACH ,JUDGE, ADMINISTRATOR IN SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING; MEMBER FINA TECHNICAL SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING COMMITTEE: 1984-1996 (Chairman 1984-1992); MEMBER ASUA TECHNICAL SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING COMMITTEE: 1979 – 1984; EDITOR AND PRIMARY AUTHOR OF FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRAINING MANUEL FOR SYNCHRO JUDGES: 1979; EDITED FIRST FINA JUDGING MANUEL (1988); CHAIRED FINA – TSSC AD HOC COMMITTEE ON DEGREES OF DIFFICULTY; DEVELOPED FIRST VIDEO TAPE SERIES FOR TRAINING INTERNATIONAL ROUTINE JUDGES; DRAFTED FIRST RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL ROUTINES; INTERNATIONAL CLINICIAN CONDUCTING 37 INTERNATIONAL CLINICS; SYNCHRO COMPETITION MANAGER FOR 1996 OLYMPIC GAMES; U.S. CHEF DEMISSION FOR 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP; SYNCHRO JUDGE/OFFICIAL AT FIVE OLYMPIC GAMES, FIVE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, FIVE PAN AMERICAN GAMES AND SEVEN WORLD CUPS.

Since 1953, Judith McGowan has been active as a synchronized swimming competitor, coach, judge and most importantly, administrator nationally and internationally.

In her younger days of competition in the city of Baltimore, she was coached by 1912 British Olympic gold medalist and Hall of Famer, Belle Moore Cameron and then Dot Muhly. It helped to prepare her for the many years of commitment and service she gave to the sport.

In 1974, she was the U.S. delegate to the First International Conference on Synchronized Swimming in Ottawa and then elected to chair the International Judges Study Group from 1974 to 1984. In 1979, she was editor and primary author of the First International Training Manual for Synchronized Swimming Judges. She organized the Second International Conference on Synchronized Swimming in 1979 in Washington, DC. Six years later in 1984, she became the first woman ever appointed to chair a FINA committee, the Technical Synchronized Swimming Committee (TSSC) on which she served for twelve years, eight as chairman. During her tenure, she innovated and improved judging and scoring procedures, initiated development clinics around the world and developed training materials. In 1988, she edited the first FINA Judging Manual, revising it in 1992. She chaired the FINA – TSSC Ad Hoc Committee on degrees of difficulty and authored its report, which established a systematic approach to assigning degrees of difficulty to FINA figures.

She developed the first video tape series for training international routine judges by writing the script, selecting video clips, designing the format, and doing the video voiceover. She also wrote a teaching manual to accompany the tapes. She drafted the first rules and guidelines for technical routines and organized the first FINA Coaching Symposium for elite synchro coaches in 1992 at Olympia,Greece. As an international clinician, she conducted or served 37 international clinics around the world including Argentina, Australia (3), Brazil, Canada (2), China, Columbia (3), Cuba, Dominican Republic (2), Finland, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea (2) Mexico (2), Puerto Rico (2), Russia, Soviet Union, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, USA (7), and Venezuela.

On the home front, she was the Founding President of U.S. A. Synchronized Swimming where she incorporated the organization, hired the first executive director and established the national office (1977 – 1984). During this time, the USSS National Team Program, National Age Group Championships and Masters programs began, and the concept for the first USSS Coaches Certification Program was developed.

She became the Chairman of the U.S.Olympic Committee Task Force to investigate the status of Coaches Education in the United States for Pan American and Olympic Sports. All recommendations were subsequently adopted including the establishment of a USOC Coaching Education Program. From 1984 to 1988, she chaired the Coaches Education Committee, organizing the first coaching education seminars for the USOC. She became a member of the USOC Executive Board from 1980-1984 and was appointed by USOC president, Bill Simon as the liaison for the Athletes Advisory Council.

She served as an international judge at the 1984 and 2000 Olympic Games, serving as Chief Olympic Referee in 1988 and 1992 and as Competition Manager in 1996. She was a judge at the 1978, 1998, 2005 World Championships; 1979, 1997, 1999 World Cups; 1993, 1997, 2002, and 2004 Junior World Championships and the 1979, 1983, 1987, 1999 and 2003 Pan American Games. She served as Chief Referee at the 1986, 1991 World Championships; 1985, 1987, 1989,1991 World Cups and 1989, 1991 Jr Worlds. She was the competition manager at the 1995 World Cup and she served as the U.S. Chef de Mission at the 1982 World Championships.