Long Beach, CA – Olympic swimmers Bruce and Steve Furniss, along with their Long Beach Swim Club Coach, Dick Jochums, will be inducted into the 2019 Aquatic Capital of America Hall of Fame September 19, 2019 at the Pete Archer Rowing Center in Long Beach. The ACOA Hall of Fame honors Long Beach, California’s rich history of athletes from various aquatic disciplines; Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Sailing, Rowing, Surfing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Skiing and Lifeguarding.
The Furniss brothers were part of the powerhouse Long Beach Swim Club coached by Dick Jochums in the mid-70’s. Bruce was a 1976 Olympic double gold medalist setting world records in each race. One of the most versatile swimmers during his era, Bruce broke the 200m freestyle world record four different times, claiming the world record from 1975 to 1979. He also broke his brother Steve’s 200m. individual medley record in 1975, an event not contested in the 1976 Olympic program due to Cold War politics. Over Bruce’s career he set ten world records and was part of two NCAA National Championship team titles while at USC. He was named "World Swimmer of the Year" by Swimming World Magazine in 1975 and 1976. In 2004, he was recognized with the prestigious “Silver Anniversary Award,” by the NCAA, an honor bestowed
annually on six former collegiate athletes for their professional accomplishments and charitable endeavors in the 25 years since graduating from college. Bruce has been inducted into the International Swimming, the Orange County Sports, and the USC Halls of Fame. In 2000, Bruce was selected to USA Swimming’s “Swim Team of the 20th Century” and in 2016 was named a member of the Pac-12 All Century Swim Team.
Brother Steve was a two-time Olympian winning a bronze medal in the 200 IM in 1972 and was co-captain of what most sports historians consider to be the most successful Olympic team in history; the 1976 Men’s team that won 12 out of the 13 (92%) events contested and 27 of the 35 (77%) swimming medals awarded in 1976. During his career Steve set two world records, won four NCAA individual titles and was part of three NCAA team titles while competing for USC. Steve was named to Pac-12 All-Century Swim Team and was also a two-time All-American Water Polo player while at USC. In 1984, Steve co-founded TYR Sport, and was named Inc. Magazine’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” for Orange County in 1994. Steve is recipient of the 2014 Endurance Live Industry Award for his contributions to the sports of swimming and triathlon.
While swimming for Jochums and Long Beach Swim Club, Bruce and Steve teamed up with Tim Shaw and Rex Favero to set the 800m freestyle relay world record which currently stands as the last club team, which was not a national or Olympic team, to hold a relay world record, a feat not replicated in 44 years.
Dick Jochums was one of the most prolific swimming coaches of his time placing swimmers on every major USA international team from 1968 to 2006. He placed five swimmers and one woman on the 1976 Olympic swim team, more than any other coach and a team largely regarded as the best sports team in Olympic history. He coached 1975 Sullivan Award winner Tim Shaw who simultaneously held the world record in all four freestyle distances from 200m to 1500m. He coached 25 world record swimmers and two Olympic gold medalists (Bruce Furniss and George DiCarlo), five Olympic silver medalists, and five Olympic bronze medalists. An early proponent of high-quality interval training, he was considered to be among the best middle distance coaches in the world while at Long Beach, the University of Arizona and Santa Clara Swim Club. In 2017, Jochums was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and in 2004 to the American Swim Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He was ASCA’s Coach of the Year in 1974.
“It is a special honor to be part of the 2019 ACOA Hall of Fame class along with such distinguished athletes from other aquatic disciplines, but it is truly special to be inducted alongside my brother Steve and our coach, Dick Jochums,” said Bruce Furniss. “We were blessed to swim in an incredible era for men’s swimming and under the guidance of one of the best coaches of our time.”
The Furniss brothers and Dick Jochums will be inducted at the Annual ACOA Hall of Fame Dinner and Ceremony on Sept 19th in Long Beach, CA.
Aquatic Capital of America Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed in 2008 to promote the myriad of aquatic activities offered in Long Beach, California; to recognize, honor and support the City of Long Beach and its aquatic athletes, coaches, and organizations; and to promote water safety and education. The foundation also supports community and regional efforts to cleanse local waterways as well as to increase the number of local aquatic
facilities.
For tickets go to HTTPS://ACOAHALLOFFAME.FUNRAISE.ORG
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