Jurgen Schmidt To Be Inducted Into International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is proud to announce that Jurgen Schmidt, USA,  will be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018 during the IMSHOF Induction ceremonies in Jacksonville, Florida, Friday evening, September 28, 2018.

The Induction will be held in conjunction with the United States Aquatic Sports convention.

Schmidt has been ranked in the Top Ten for 43 years. He has competed in two FINA Masters World Championships,1988 and 2006, winning one gold, four silver and two bronze medals.

Schmidt’s biggest change in competitive swimming came in 1973 when he read an article in the Chicago Tribune about an upcoming national long course meet at Circle Campus (University of IL) in August 1973.  Schmidt then joined the Ryall Masters.  He placed in the Top 5 in the 50-54 age group and swam against ISHOF Honoree Doc Counsilman in the 1500m freestyle.  He was hooked.   During the next few years he was involved with Paul Huntinger, Bobbi Turcotte and Frank Havlicek in forming the Illinois Masters and putting on swim meets.

Schmidt’s most memorable moment in Masters was winning the 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle, plus swimming on the National Record setting 200m freestyle and 200m medley relays.  It took him five years to accomplish this and he did it at Brown University long course meet in 1978.

Another love of Schmidt are the open water and distance swims. One of the best was a six over 60 age relay, swimming from San Pedro, California to Catalina Island in September 1985.  Not only did they finish it but also set a new record in their age group.

In 1989 he moved to Lompoc, California to take care of his parents who were in their 90’s. During those years he never stopped competing and swam for various clubs. In Lompoc he started working out with his best friend, IMSHOF Honoree, Frank Piemme. They went to all the local meets and some Nationals Championships.

In 2013, Schmidt was a member of the 310 + relays, setting world records in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle; 200m medley, and 400m medley in L.C.M.  In 2015, he became a Speedo spokesman for “Fueled By Water”, a video on the internet as a 90-year-old swimmer.

Masters Swimming has been Schmidt’s life saver.  The camaraderie and many lifelong friends that he has made during his 43 years in Masters Swimming are things he will never forget. With the help of his fitness routine he continues to be a complete, healthy, happy person.  His attitude, compassion, and desire to swim another day has made it possible to lovingly care 24/7 for his wife, who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Schmidt will be inducted as part of a group of nine (9) outstanding individuals will be inducted at the IMSHOF’s annual ceremony. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in conjunction with the 2018 United States Aquatic Sports XXXVIX Convention.

The prestigious IMSHOF class of 2018 includes four swimmers, two divers, one synchronized swimmer, one water polo player and one contributor, from five (5) different countries: the USA, Austria, Germany, Brazil and Japan:

SWIMMER INDUCTEES: MAURINE KORNFELD (USA), HITOMI MATSUDA (JPN), MARCUS MATTIOLI (BRA), JURGEN SCHMIDT (USA),
DIVER INDUCTEES: MARY BENNETT (USA), IRMTRAUD BOHN (AUT)
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER INDUCTEE: BETH CAREY (USA),
WATER POLO PLAYER INDUCTEE: WOLF-RÜDIGER SCHULZ (GER)
CONTRIBUTOR INDUCTEE: WALT REID (USA)

In addition to honoring the IMSHOF Honorees, ISHOF will be recognizing Swimming World Magazine’s Top Ten Masters Swimmers from 2017.

Swimming World Magazine‘s Top Twelve Masters Swimmers for 2017 are: Men – Rick Colella (USA), Sergey Geybel (RUS), Nicolas Granger (FRA), Karl Hauter (GER), Willard Lamb (USA), and Darian Townsend (USA); Women – Noriko Inada (USA), Maurine Kornfeld (USA), Betty Lorenzi (USA), Karlyn Pipes (USA), Diann Uustal (USA), and Laura Val (USA).

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Book Your Hotel 

About IMSHOF
The purpose of the IMSHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness and participation in adult aquatic programs by recognizing the achievements of individuals who serve as an example for others. To be considered, honorees must have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups and are qualified by an objective point system based on world records, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances. The IMSHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org

About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports in 1968, its mission is to preserve the history of swimming, celebrate the heroes, promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of all children and adults, and connect older generations of swimmers to youth.

For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 584-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org

Maurine Kornfeld to be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is proud to announce that Maurine Kornfeld, 97, of Southern California, USA,  will be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018 during the IMSHOF Induction ceremonies in Jacksonville, Florida, Friday evening, September 28, 2018, to be held in conjunction with the United States Aquatic Sports convention.

Kornfeld made her Masters debut in her 80’s and set her first Masters world record when she was 90 (SC 800 free, 18:38.69). Swimming at Masters meets was just another opportunity to be in the water. Win or lose, she was happy to swim and never seemed to know her swim times. Despite this handicap, she set 27 world records.

Currently at 97 years old, Maurine has been competing for 31 years and has been in the Top Ten 27 times. She has set seven long course and 20 short course FINA Masters World Records in the I.M., freestyle and backstroke. In world rankings since 1997, she has a total of 89-number 1, 36-number 2 and 28-number 3 world rankings in the freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and I.M. She has competed in four FINA World Championships in Montreal, Riccione, Budapest and Stanford, winning 14 gold and four silver medals.

Maurine says Master swimming has become a major part of her life. And what a life she has!!!

“Four mornings a week before dawn’s early light. I tackle two freeways and drive to the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center for a Masters team workout. I must confess to being frequently tardy, which I attribute to traffic, not my indolence. It’s such fun swimming with my teammates who are remarkably tolerant of my snail pace and who literally swim circles around me. After our coach Chad Durieux, announces ‘THE END’, a group of us hang out in the hot tub as a further ‘cool down’ and settle the problems of the world.

“Once I’m dry behind my ears, I go off for another major activity: that of being a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and also, being a docent and giving tours at the historic Los Angeles Union Station,” said Kornfeld.

Maurine Kornfeld’s secret lies in survival: “If you can’t outswim them, outlive them!

Kornfeld will be inducted as part of a group of nine (9) outstanding individuals will be inducted at the IMSHOF’s annual ceremony. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in conjunction with the 2018 United States Aquatic Sports XXXVIX Convention.

The prestigious IMSHOF class of 2018 includes four swimmers, two divers, one synchronized swimmer, one water polo player and one contributor, from five (5) different countries: the USA, Austria, Germany, Brazil and Japan:

SWIMMER INDUCTEES: MAURINE KORNFELD (USA), HITOMI MATSUDA (JPN), MARCUS MATTIOLI (BRA), JURGEN SCHMIDT (USA),
DIVER INDUCTEES: MARY BENNETT (USA), IRMTRAUD BOHN (AUT)
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER INDUCTEE: BETH CAREY (USA),
WATER POLO PLAYER INDUCTEE: WOLF-RÜDIGER SCHULZ (GER)
CONTRIBUTOR INDUCTEE: WALT REID (USA)

In addition to honoring the IMSHOF Honorees, ISHOF will be recognizing Swimming World Magazine’s Top Ten Masters Swimmers from 2017.

Swimming World Magazine‘s Top Twelve Masters Swimmers for 2017 are: Men – Rick Colella (USA), Sergey Geybel (RUS), Nicolas Granger (FRA), Karl Hauter (GER), Willard Lamb (USA), and Darian Townsend (USA); Women – Noriko Inada (USA), Maurine Kornfeld (USA), Betty Lorenzi (USA), Karlyn Pipes (USA), Diann Uustal (USA), and Laura Val (USA).

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Book Your Hotel

About IMSHOF
The purpose of the IMSHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness and participation in adult aquatic programs by recognizing the achievements of individuals who serve as an example for others. To be considered, honorees must have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups and are qualified by an objective point system based on world records, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances. The IMSHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org

About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports in 1968, its mission is to preserve the history of swimming, celebrate the heroes, promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of all children and adults, and connect older generations of swimmers to youth.

For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 584-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org

The 2018 International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Class Has Been Selected

Olympic Diving Champion Bob Clotworthy Passes Away at 87

Bob Clotworthy with his family in Fort Lauderdale, FL - Photo Courtesy: ISHOF

Passage by Bruce Wigo, ISHOF.

Olympic diving champion Robert (Bob) Lynn Clotworthy passed away peacefully at his home, in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 1st. He was 87 years old.

Born in Westfield, New Jersey, Bob attended the Ohio State University where he won 11 Big Ten, NCAA, and National AAU Championships before capping off his career with an Olympic gold medal at Melbourne in 1956.  In between he won a bronze in Helsinki (1952) and another bronze at the Pan Am Games (1955).  These were all as a springboard diver but he added a silver from the tower at the Pan Ams just to prove his versatility.

“The pressure in the (Olympic) Games is so intense,” Bob later recalled. “I’ve never felt anything like it. I felt it some at Helsinki in ’52 but I wasn’t supposed to win there, but at Melbourne in ’56 I was the favorite.  It’s like taking your life’s work and putting it on the line.” But there was another strong reason. “I wanted to do good for the United States.  I felt strongly about wanting to beat the Russians.”

After retiring from amateur diving, Bob followed a long line of divers turned swim coaches in the tradition of Ernst Brandsten, Karl Michael, Dick Papenguth, Clarence Pinkston and Mike Peppe. He coached at West Point and Dartmouth before returning home to New Jersey to coach at Princeton University (1958 – 1970). At Princeton he produced two Olympic medalists in swimming, Jed Graef (gold in 1964) and Ross Wales (bronze in 1968). On the  International Swimming Hall of Fame’s Youtube channel is an interview with Bob explaining Jed’s backstroke form. But more importantly, his swimmers and divers, at all levels, remember him best for how he changed their lives.

Photo Courtesy: Richard Meek

In 1957, Bob was the subject of a photo essay shot by legendary Sports Illustrated photographer John Zimmerman that appeared in the April 8th issue.  Bob recently recalled the photo shoot in an interview with Bruce Wigo of the Hall of Fame.

“To get the effect they wanted,” Bob remembered, “the photo crew blacked out all windows and lights so I had to dive into the Princeton pool in pitch black. By the time the pool was blacked out and the cameras were ready it was midnight. As I dove, John would press a button for the strobes four times, setting off four flashes that captured four images of my dive on each shot. I did about 50 dives in total darkness that night. It was exhausting and the strobes were really tough on my eyes. They chose my reverse-dive-pike, and the end product made it well worth the effort. For the underwater shot, I had a dim light from a scaffolding that helped me find the water. By the time the shoot was over, it was after 5 AM. Exhausting as it was, they made it fun and I had a terrific time. I really loved working with those guys.”

The iconic images that made photojournalistic history can be viewed on pages 25 – 31 of the April 8 1957 issue. 

One of the most significant incidents in Bob’s life came at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City.

“I had climbed onto the 10 meter tower to watch the swimming races below,” Bob recalled,” and that is where I met my future wife.  After the races, she climbed down and I just went off the deep end, so to speak.”

The girl Bob plunged off the tower for was Cynthia Gill, a graduate of Fort Lauderdale’s Pine Crest School, who had won a bronze medal in the 100 meter backstroke at the Pan Am Games.  Shortly after their marriage, in March of 1958 in Hanover, New Hampshire, where Bob had been coaching Dartmouth, the International Educational Exchange Service, a branch of the State Department, selected the Clotworthy’s to make a good will tour.  Their mission was to give swimming and diving exhibitions around the world, including stops in Japan, Malaya, Singapore, Thailand, Ceylon, Egypt, Morocco and a ten day visit to the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium.  The trip took from June until September and Bob and Cynthia dubbed their government-funded honeymoon “Around The World in 107 Days.”

In 1970, Bob packed up the family and joined the Peace Corps. The family lived in Caracas, Venezuela where he trained their Olympic diving coaches. Upon returning to the states, Bob took a job at Arizona State. While the job didn’t work out, the climate provided a miracle cure for a sinuscondition that Cynthia had developed and Bob ended his career as a teacher at the Albuquerque Acadamy and retired to his beloved Taos, New Mexico.

Cynthia Gill Clotworthy, passed away six years ago, and according to her family, her final words: “It’s wonderful”.  Bob really never got over the loss of the love of his life.

In his final years, Bob continued to devote his spare time to finishing a complete history of the sport of diving.

Bob was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1980.

He leaves behind, his brother William (Jo); his four loving children, Susan Syring, Bruce (Leslie), Jodi Best (Steve), and Erin Joosse (Chris); his twelve grandchildren; and fifteen great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Bob’s life will be held from 12:00 until 2:00 pm on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 South), Sandy, UT 84092.

RSVP jodisbest@gmail.com if planning to attend.

Passages: ISHOF Honoree Bruce Hopping Dies at 96

Bruce Hopping (a.k.a. “Brucey”, “Mr. B”, et al.) passed away peacefully just after midnight on Thursday, May 17.

He is survived by his nephew and niece, Rick and Melissa Hopping of New Jersey. Bruce was a local legend. He could be seen every day walking down Thalia Street to the beach where he was a regular for the last six decades.

His life story reads more like a novel than reality. He was born in 1921 to W. Frank and Edith Hopping in Saigon, then a part of French Indo-China. His father had lumber interests in the region, and the family was on their way to Borneo. Bruce spent his early years on the islands of the Pacific, where he developed a lifelong connection with the ocean. At 13, he was sent away to Culver Military Academy in Indiana. At 18, he enlisted in the Army and was stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas.

Afterward, he transferred to Shepphard Airfield Base in Texas, Westover Air Base in Massachusetts, El Toro in California, Kaneohe Naval Air Station in Hawaii, and Clark Air Base in the Philippines. In World War II, Bruce was a med-evacuation pilot who retrieved the wounded bodies of soldiers from various Pacific theaters and returned them to the base hospital for treatment. One day, he was sent up with a spotter in typhoon conditions to locate a downed C 47.

Their Stinson plane was blown several miles off course, they ran out of gas, and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. For the next several weeks, they floated on a one-man raft in the ocean, enduring violent storms, tumultuous waves, and shark-infested waters, before eventually washing up on the Polillo Islands in the eastern Philippines. After a series of difficult setbacks, and with the help of locals in canoes, they eventually made it back safely to Manila, despite the presence of Japanese soldiers in the area.

After World War II, Bruce taught at Bainbridge Air Base in Maryland. When the Korean War broke out a few years later, he was transferred to Barbers Point in Hawaii, and then put on a minesweeper ship bound for the Korean peninsula. After the subsequent deaths of his parents, Bruce took his inheritance and created the New Jersey Foundation in 1953. Over the next decade and a half, the New Jersey Foundation sponsored numerous important aqua-athletic events and commissioned multiple notable works of art. Inspired by visits he had made to Laguna Beach in 1942 while stationed at nearby El Toro, Bruce relocated to Laguna ca. 1960.

In 1966, he met Dr. Ted Brunner, another Laguna Beach resident, and founder of the Classics Department at UC Irvine. Dr. Brunner introduced Bruce to the ancient Greek educational concept of Kalos Kagathos, which emphasizes physical distinction and nobility of mind. Inspired by the concept, Bruce renamed his foundation the Kalos Kagathos Foundation in 1968.

For fifty years, Bruce and his foundation have been recognized internationally, nationally, at the state, county, and city levels for numerous contributions to water sports, arts, and the environment. His cultural exchanges for swim, surf, and water-polo teams have included multiple events on every continent except Antarctica.

He is an Emeritus patron of the ISHOF, patron of the AAU, FINA, ISA, CIF, OCC Rowing, and a two-time Olympic swimming judge. He has been formally acknowledged by various officials, governors, ambassadors, diplomats, provincial administrators, tribal chiefs, warrior clans, and others. Since 1968, Bruce also has worked tirelessly through the Kalos Kagathos foundation to ensure that Laguna Beach retains its historical legacy as an international destination promoting water sports, arts, and the environment. His local contributions are too numerous to mention, but include multiple proclamations by the city council and schoolboard. Very few Laguna Beach residents have left such a lasting indelible impression on this city, and nobody as much on Thalia Street Beach as Bruce Hopping. Please join us for a celebration of his life on Thursday, June 14 (4 pm) at Thalia Street Beach for a paddle-out and swim. Learn more about this legendary man and the Kalos Kagathos Foundation through the words of those who knew him best. And, in his own words, “Keep the faith!”

To learn more about the Kalos Kagathos Foundation, or to help out with future projects, contact:
Kalos Kagathos Foundation, PO Box 416, Laguna Beach, CA 92652

kaloskagathosorg@gmail.com

International Swimming Hall of Fame Announces 2018 Specialty Awards

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) announced today the recipients of the ISHOF Specialty Awards.  The International Swimming Hall of Fame Specialty Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics.  This year’s awards will be presented on Friday evening May 18, 2018, in conjunction with the Paragon Awards at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

The Following Individuals Will Be Recognized:

• Anthony Ervin and Constantine Markides – Buck Dawson Author Award: “Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian”
• Gay DeMario – ISHOF Service Award
• Lana Whitehead – Judge G. Harold Martin Award
• Johnny Johnson – Virginia Hunt Newman Award
• Kathy Bateman – John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award
• Bob Ingram – Al Schoenfield Media Award

The ISHOF Specialty Awards are part of ISHOF’s 54th Annual Hall of Fame Honoree Weekend, May 18-20. For ticket information visit www.ishof.org or call 954-462-6536.

LANA WHITEHEAD – Judge G. Harold Martin Award

The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Harold Martin Award to Lana Whitehead.  The Harold Martin Award is presented to someone for long and exceptional leadership, insight and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making Every Child A Swimmer.

Lana Whitehead has owned and operated SWIMkids USA for 43 years. She is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and was a representative of the Sports Medicine Delegation to China in 2009 where she presented at the Beijing Sports University. She has authored five books on swimming and braindevelopment. She has lectured nationally and internationally at many conferences and government forums. Her method has been featured nationally on the NBC TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show. That’s Incredible, Disney’s Epcot Magazine, Montel Williams Show, Omni’s Medical Documentary and PM Magazine. Her articles have been featured nationally in PARENTS Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Brain World Magazine, American Baby Magazine, Babytalk Magazine and Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine. Lana received a BA in Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Special Education, specializing in Sensory Integration. Lana has been involved in competitive swimming as a coach, State and National USA Swimming Official.

Lana was named Community Lifesavers of the Year in 2011 by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. She received the Western Region Award for outstanding efforts, accomplishments and contributions to water safety by the National Water Safety Congress in March of 2013. In 2012 and 2007 she received the Hall of Fame and the Humanitarian Award from the United States Swim School Association for outstanding service to the local community. In 2012, 2013 Lana and her SWIMkids received the Best of Aquatics Awards from the Aquatics International Association. She received the Health Care Heroes Award from Phoenix Business Journals in 2014 and the Best of Aquatics Community Outreach Award from Aquatics International Magazine. USA Swimming awarded Mrs Whitehead with the Adolf Kiefer Safety Commendation Award in 2015. In 2016 she was the winner of the Health Care Leadership Award for Community Impact from Arizona Business Association. In 2017 Ms Whitehead received the Spirit of Enterprise Award for Social Impact from Arizona State University’s J.P Carey’s College of Business.

About G. Harold Martin: Back in 1908, G. Harold Martin almost drowned in the Ohio River. Over the next two decades he almost 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, Florida’s first municipal pool in 1927, Kiwanian sponsored free swim lessons at the pool and eventually the decision by ISHOF to locate 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.

ANTHONY ERVIN and CONSTANTINE MARKIDES – Buck Dawson Author Award

The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2018 Buck Dawson Author’s Award: Anthony Ervin and Constantine Markides “Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian”.  This award is presented by ISHOF in the name of William “Buck” Dawson, ISHOF’s founding Executive Director, to authors of works that positively promote and educate people about swimming.

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 around the world armed with Hall of Fame brochures, books and bumper stickers, always spreading the word, always willing to talk and teach swimming and swimming history, to anyone who would listen. He wrote hundreds of articles and was the author of eight books, ranging in subjects from bathing beauties to war, but especially swimming. The Awards will be presented to the recipients in conjunction with ISHOF’s 54th Annual Honoree Weekend, on Friday, May 18th, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Anthony Ervin – is a four-time Olympic medalist, claiming the title of the fastest person on the planet, both in 2000, as well as 16 years later by claiming the Olympic title in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Anthony’s story is especially unique and interesting, in that his family tree represents a broad demographic of Jewish and African-American descent, truly embodying the diversity of our modern world.  Over the years, Anthony has grown to embrace his place in the world, as an opportunity to reach out and try to give back.  He auctioned off his 2000 Olympic gold medal on eBay and donated the proceeds to tsunami relief in Southeast Asia.

At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Ervin “wrote” the most fitting afterward to his astonishing story by winning two gold medals, becoming the oldest swimmer (from any nation) to win a gold medal in an individual race, and in finishing first in the 50-meter freestyle once again earning the title of fastest human in the water.

 Constantine Markides – is A NYC-based writer and former correspondent for the daily newspaper, Cyprus Mail, Constantine reported from over a dozen countries in four continents.  In covering the 2006 Lebanon War, he worked with CNN’s Anderson Cooper and was featured on CNBC and NPR’s Marketplace.  As a reporter, he contracted malaria in Kenya, got showered by leaflets from an exploding artillery shell in Beirut, and witnessed a Cypriot photographer break a limb off an ancient bonsai tree in Shanghai while trying to photograph the President of Cypress.

A state high school champion swimmer, Constantine swam for Columbia University, from which he graduated cum laude in philosophy.  He holds a Masters in English with thesis distinction from University College London, where he was a Chevening Scholar.

Constantine met Anthony Ervin in 2009, in Brooklyn, New York, when they were both swim instructors for Imagine Swimming.  They immediately became friends as they shared similar interests, aquatics, although they didn’t talk about it much in the beginning of the friendship, and things literary, which led them to their collaboration on the book.

KATHY BATEMAN -2018 John K. Williams, JR. Adapted Aquatics Award

The Adapted Aquatics Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is pleased to announce that Kathy Bateman, will receive the 2018 John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award. The annual award, honoring individuals or organizations who have made significant and substantial contributions to the field of adaptive aquatics is presented by S.R. Smith, a world-leading manufacturer of commercial and residential swimming pool deck equipment headquartered in Canby, Oregon.

Bateman has been an advocate for adapted aquatics for many years. She has effectively developed, led, trained and consulted personnel in interacting with and leading programs for
those with special needs in aquatic and equine environments. Bateman has ten years’ experience with the Seattle Children’s Hospital working with physical, emotional, and mentally challenged individuals and their families in both aquatics and land environments.

JOHNNY JOHNSON  – 2018 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award

The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announced that Johnny Johnson will be the 2018 recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award.  The award is sponsored by Kiefer, the “Keep em Swimming” Company founded in 1947 by Hall of Fame swimming great, Adolph Kiefer, this award annually recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of infant and young child swimming instruction in the name of the “Mother of Infant Swimming,” Virginia Hunt Newman.

Johnny Johnson has journeyed from being a student in 1959, to teacher, and now owner of the Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin, California.  In the past 51 years, he has taught thousands of children to swim and is now teaching many third-generation students.

Blue buoy is a charter member of the United States Swim School Association, and Johnny is a past president, having served on the Board of Directors on two occasions.  In addition to seven years of board service he co-chaired the USSSA Infant Toddler Committee and co-authored the teaching course, along with Virginia Hunt-Newman, that has been taken by thousands of instructors worldwide.  Johnny was awarded the USSSA Guiding Light Award in 1996 and in 2004 he was recognized for his lifelong contributions to swimming and water safety with his induction into the USSSA Hall of Fame.

GAY DEMARIO – 2018 International Swimming Hall of Fame Service Award

The CEO and staff of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Gay DeMario, will receive the 2018 ISHOF Service Award.  The ISHOF Service Award is given periodically to an individual who has selflessly volunteered their time, energy and/or resources to advance the interests and work of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

DeMario is an extremely talent artist, as well as a graphic designer.  Through the years, Gay has helped create ISHOF programs, yearbooks, displays, brochures, fliers, books, photo exhibits, signage, traveling exhibits, ad specialty designs and many other things.  Gay has been helping ISHOF for more than 30 years and she has designed the cover of the ISHOF yearbook since 2006 and continues to be an integral part of the team.

BOB INGRAM – 2018 Al Schoenfield Media Award

The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2018 Al Schoenfield Media Award will be Bob Ingram.  This award is presented by ISHOF in memory of Al Schoenfield, for outstanding contributions to the promotion of aquatic sports through journalism.

Al Schoenfield 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).  Al’s life was a commitment to swimming.  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.

Bob Ingram is the senior editor of Swimming World Magazine since the early 70’s and worked along side Schoenfield. He has been involved in aquatics for nearly half a century (47 years), traveling the world extensively and covering all levels of competition. During the last 18 years, Ingram has primarily been responsible for the editing and production of the Swimming World Magazine, Swimming World Biweekly Magazine and Swimming Technique Magazine. His love for swimming and his ability to work with designers, photographer, and writers as proven to be invaluable to the swimming community.

In addition to his responsibilities at Swimming World, Ingram helped proofread and edit two books: “Character & Excellence” by Mike Gosman (1998) and “The History of Olympic Swimming” by Peter Daland (2009).

Tiffany Cohen – 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist – To Be ISHOF Master of Induction Ceremonies

ISHOF is proud to announce that this year’s Master of Ceremonies for the 2018 Induction Class of Honorees is Tiffany Cohen Lalonde.

Tiffany Cohen was a competitor, a racer and a winner. She was the greatest distance swimmer of her generation. Swimming for the Mission Viejo Nadadores, under coach Mark Schubert, Tiffany won 14 US National Championships from 400 meters to 1500 meters freestyle before winning double gold in the 400 and 800 meter freestyle at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1996.

In 2016, Tiffany was diagnosed with Stage 2 invasive ductal cel carcinoma.  She says that the traits she developed to become an elite athlete helped her face the challenge of cancer and that surviving breast cancer is like winning another Olympic Gold medal.Tiffany lives in South Florida with her husband Mark Lalonde and over the years she has remained active with programs to promote swimming and the welfare of swimmers through the International Swimming Hall of Fame and with USA Swimming

 On Sunday May 20 from 8 AM to 9:30 AM, Swim Across America and ISHOF are sponsoring a fundraising event to raise money to fight cancer. The event will take place at the International Swimming Hall of Fame pool, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316-just South of Las Olas off of Seabreeze Blvd. Join the ISHOF Relay! For more information on the event, please see this link   

About The International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Weekend

Photo Courtesy: ISHOF

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Induction Ceremony is shaping up to be a star-studded weekend with multiple events spread out over three days in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Make your plans now to attend the weekend of May 18-20, 2018! ISHOF Members can purchase the Weekend Package and save!

This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame honorees include Swimmers: Rebecca Adlington (GBR), Amanda Beard (USA), and Libby Trickett (AUS); Water Polo Player: Brenda Villa (USA); Contributor: Andy Burke (USA); Diver: Irina Lashko  (USSR, RUS, AUS) ; Coach: Bill Sweetenham (AUS); Synchronized Swimmer: Miho Takeda (JPN);  Open Water Swimmer: Petar Stoychev (BUL); and Pioneer Synchronized Swimming Contributor: Joy Cushman (USA). Ian Crocker (USA) was a part of the Class of 2017, but was unable to attend the induction due to Hurricane Harvey.  We will be officially celebrating his induction as part of the class of 2018.

The Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards will be presented of Friday of the same weekend

2018 Paragon Award and ISHOF Specialty Award Recipients:

• Frank Busch for Competitive Swimming
• Dr. Ben Rubin for Diving
• Bob Corb for Water Polo
• Jennifer Gray for Synchronized Swimming
• David Bell for Recreational Swimming
• Jill White for Water Safety
• Anthony Ervin and Constantine Markides – Buck Dawson Author Award: “Chasing Water: Elegy of an Olympian”
• Gay DeMario – ISHOF Service Award
• Lana Whitehead – Judge G. Harold Martin Award
• Johnny Johnson – Virginia Hunt Newman Award
• Kathy Bateman – John K. Williams, Jr. International Adapted Aquatics Award
• Bob Ingram – Al Schoenfield Media Award

Additional Events

• • Swim Across America Fundraiser for Cancer Awareness 8-11 AM at the Hall of Fame Pool
  • ISHOF Clinic for Kids produced by Fitter and Faster with Olympian Cammile Adams 11AM to 2 PM Hall of Fame Pool

Reserve Your Hotel Rooms and Purchase Your Tickets Today

May 18-20, 2018 HOTEL INFORMATION

• Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

  Four and a half star 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 $224 per night Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
  • NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $224 rate

• Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

  • 440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733;
  • Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $159 per night
  • Please call 954 524-8733 and mention Swimming Hall of Fame Honoree Ceremony for the special Rate of $159.

For more hotel or ticket Information contact Meg Keller-Marvin meg@ishof.org / 570-594-4367