The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce this year’s recipients of the ISHOF Specialty Awards. The ISHOF Specialty Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s awards will be presented on Friday evening, May 15, 2026 in conjunction with the ISHOF Aquatic Awards, presented by AquaCal and MISHOF (Masters) Honoree Induction Ceremonies in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Ticket and Hotel information is provided below.
This year’s 2026 ISHOF Specialty Award Recipients:
Pool Nation Podcast (USA) – 2026 Every Child A Swimmer Award
Katie Ledecky (USA) “Just Add Water ~ My Swimming Life” – co-recipient of the 2026 Buck Dawson Author’s Award
Micki King (USA) and Elaine K. Howley (USA) “Break of A Lifetime” – co-recipients of the 2026 Buck Dawson Author’s Award
Beth Scalone (USA) – 2026 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award
Ted Robinson (USA) – 2026 Al Schoenfield Media Award
~The 2026 Every Child A Swimmer Award~
Pool Nation Podcast:
The Pool Nation Podcast Team are true innovators and unifiers within the pool and spa industry and far beyond using their platform to bring people together, elevate voices, and spark meaningful change. Through authentic conversations and bold industry leadership, they have created a space where collaboration thrives and purpose leads. Their selfless commitment to raising awareness around drowning prevention and water safety is both powerful and deeply impactful, extending far beyond the microphone and into communities across the country. Leading with heart, the Pool Nation Podcast team is driven by a genuine desire to help others, give back, and use their influence to protect lives. By amplifying the mission of Every Child a Swimmer, they have helped give a voice to lifesaving work and inspired action throughout the industry. Their passion, generosity, and unwavering sense of purpose continue to make the pool industry safer, stronger, and more united.
About G. Harold Martin: Back in 1908, G. Harold Martin almost drowned in the Ohio River. Over the next two decades he nearly drowned two more times. From these experiences evolved a mission to make “Every Child A Swimmer.” His civic involvement led to the building of Fort Lauderdale’s first municipal pool in 1927. Kiwanian sponsored free swim lessons at the pool and eventually influenced the decision by ISHOF to be in Fort Lauderdale. An active Kiwanian his entire adult life, he was instrumental in making the Key Club an integral club within Kiwanis International and the adoption of Every Child A Swimmer as a Kiwanian project. It has since been taken over by ISHOF and become the spiritual mission.
~The 2026 Buck Dawson Author’s Award~
Katie Ledecky ~ co-recipient of the 2026 Buck Dawson Author’s Award
Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming. It details her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she played sharks and minnows and first discovered the joy of the pool; her early foray into the Olympics at the tender age of fifteen where, as the youngest member of the American team, she stunned everyone by winning her first gold medal; her time balancing competition and her education at Stanford University; how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through so many meets, even under intense pressure; and how she has maintained her dominance in a sport where success depends on milliseconds. You learn how every element of her life—from the support of her family to the tutelage of her coaches, from her childhood spent in summer league swimming to the bright lights of Olympic pools in London, Rio, and Tokyo—set her up to become the champion she is today.
Micki King and Elaine K. Howley ~ co-recipients 2026 Buck Dawson Author’s Award
In 1968, 24-year-old Maxine “Micki” King stood atop diving’s biggest stage poised to claim the gold medal in the women’s 3-meter event. She’d led for the entirety of the competition, but on the 9th of 10 dives, disaster struck and she finished in 4th place.
But destiny – and diving – was far from done with King, who went on to claim that gold in the 1972 Munich Games while pioneering a new leadership model for women in sports, the military, and public life.
In this inspiring recitation of her journey from suburban Michigan to the White House and beyond, King shares her tale of breaking boundaries and supporting athletes’ rights across the full spectrum of Olympic sports.
While King’s story is all because of diving, it isn’t just about diving; it’s about persistence, principle, and paving the way for others to achieve their fullest potential.
About Buck Dawson: Dawson was a veteran of WWII who served as assistant and publicist for Generals Gavin and Ridgeway in the 82nd Airborne. From the time he was chosen to lead ISHOF in 1962, until his death in 2008, Buck traveled the world armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books, and bumper stickers.
~The 2026 John K. Williams, Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award~
Beth Scalone (USA) — 2026 John K. Williams, Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award
Beth is a licensed physical therapist specializing in orthopedic and aquatic therapy. As the owner of North County Water & Sports Therapy Center it is her goal to provide quality one on one care to a variety of patients.
Beth is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and private practice owner with over 30 years of experience in aquatic and orthopedic physical therapy.She has a passion for problem solving and guiding her patients and clients back to doing the things they love. She has had the good fortune to share her experience with other aquatic therapists around the world. Beth finds that “treating and teaching keeps her curious, expands her knowledge and energizes her soul”.
~The 2026 Al Schoenfield Media Award~
Ted Robinson (USA) — 2026 Al Schoenfield Media Award
Ted Robinson is a three-time Emmy award-winning sports broadcaster with a 45-year career spanning television and radio across global, professional and collegiate sports.
He has provided commentary on the last 15 Olympic Games, more than 60 professional Grand Slam tennis championships and as a lead play-by-play announcer for teams in the NFL, MLB and NBA.
His Olympic career has been highlighted by calling the diving competition in the last 6 Summer Games as well as the last 6 US Olympic Diving Trials with partner Cynthia Potter. In the first Summer Games he covered, Ted received a late assignment to cover Synchronized Swimming with partner Tracie Ruiz. In 2003, NBC/USA Swimming opened the door to aquatics with the chance to call the inaugural Duel in the Pool. Ted, partnered with Rowdy Gaines, went on to call the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, the 2010 US National Championships, 2 Pan Pacific Championships and multiple years of USA Swimming Pro events, including Katie Ledecky’s first professional meet (Charlotte 2012.)
About Al Schoenfield: He was the Editor and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine (1960-1977) and served on various international committees of swimming, including the FINA Technical Swimming Committee (1980-1984). Schoenfield’s life was a commitment to swimming, and he participated in its administrative structure and spread its stories through his magazines and promotions. Al died in 2005, but his legacy will forever endure to all who have benefited from his lifetime of service to swimming.
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) museum opened its doors to the public in December of 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That same year, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) – the governing body for Olympic aquatic sports – designated the ISHOF museum as the “Official Repository for Aquatic History”. Today, ISHOF’s vision is to be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports.
For ISHOF Aquatic & Specialty Awards and Masters Induction Ceremony (Friday, May 15, 2026) Buy Tickets Here: AWARDSMASTERSTICKETS
For Saturday 61st Annual Honoree Induction,(Saturday, May 16, 2026) Buy Tickets Here: INDUCTIONTICKETS
HOST HOTEL:
Embassy Suites 17 th St, 1100 S.E. 17 th Street, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316,
Phone: 954.527.2700 / Hotel Nightly Rate: $219.
Hotel Link:– Use this link to make hotel reservations:
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/fllsoes-ish-10f70a89-8b00- 47df-8135-fb36ee4694dd/