Welcome to the second edition of ISHOF's monthly eNewsletter, an e-publication containing information on events, new online exhibits in the Museum of Swimming and the latest news of historical interest from your International Swimming Hall of Fame.  
 

Former swimmers of ISHOF Honor Coach Nort Thornton are organizing an event to celebrate not Nort's success as a coach, all who have been a part of illustrious and on-going coaching career over the past 50+ years.

The event will be held on Friday, the 17th of October, from six until nine in the evening at the Haas Club Room at Haas Pavilion on the campus of UC Berkeley.

Anyone interested in attending should contact one of the organizers Tim Hoskins (email is best), so that he can add them to the invitation mailing list: Tim Hoskins Contango Credit Services, 510.558.6012 (w), 510.326.1587 (m), [email protected].

The organizers are also raising money to create an ongoing Nort Thornton UC Berkeley Swimming Scholarship fund, which is intended to honor Nort and the values he represents by helping future UC Berkeley swimmers pay for college. Anyone interested in contributing to that scholarship fund should contact Alicia Rowell, Director of Aquatic Development for Cal, directly (510-643-2746; [email protected]). Alicia can advise how checks should be made payable or can take credit card payments over the phone.

If you can publicize this, it would be much appreciated. If not, please pass it along to any of Nort's many colleagues and admirers who you think might be interested. Thanks!

 

Wigo To Receive World Waterpark Safety Award

ISHOF CEO Bruce Wigo has been selected by the World Waterpark Association's Board of Directors for the 2008 Kelly Ogle Memorial Safety Award..  This honor is reserved for those who have "contributed significantly to guest and employee safety."

Wigo will be recognized at the Opening General Session of the 28th Annual Symposium & Trade Show in Las Vegas , Nevada Tuesday October 28th at 11:00 A..M. 

Hundreds farewell Duncan Laing Sep 17, 2008 6:35 PM
The man who taught generations of New Zealand's top swimmers has been given a hero's send off.       

A thousand people turned out in Dunedin to farewell coach Duncan Laing who died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Hundreds gathered to honour the remarkable life of a humble man who over 40 years gave more than 30,000 people the gift of swimming.

Laing loved all sports, and tried many. It has been said he could have been an All Black but his love of water was to become his life.

His greatest star was well aware of his passion.

"He gave me, and I hope the larger audience here, the same thing - that is the courage to get out there and try, even if it seems impossible," Olympic double gold medallist Danyon Loader said.
 

On September 16, 2008, Rep. Albio Sires [D-NJ]  introduced H. Resolution 1446 "Expressing the importance of swimming lessons and recognizing the danger of drowning in the United States, especially among minority children."  The resolution was introduced by and co sponsored by Rep. Edward Pastor [D-AZ], Rep. Donald Payne [D-NJ], and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D-FL]. 
 
FOR THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION:

"Black Splash" Dives into Drew Charter in Atlanta 
On Friday, September 28, 2008, the International Swimming Hall of Fame presented "Black Splash: The Amazing History of Swimming in Black and White" at the Drew Charter School in Atlanta in honor of the schools new swim program.   The program will be presented by Bruce Wigo, CEO and Historian of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) and Sabir Muhammad, 10 x NCAA Champion and American record holder. 

 "BLACK SPLASH:  The Amazing History of swimming in Black and white," is a presentation using film and photographs to tell the tragic, yet inspiring story of the African Diaspora and swimming, from the chronicles of the first Portuguese explorers and slavers which described coastal Africans as culturally aquatic peoples and excellent swimmers, through the Jim Crow era when African Americans were excluded from America's beaches and pools until present when few African American participate in aquatic sports. For more information visit www.ishof.org.

Charles R. Drew Charter School is the city of Atlanta's first public charter school that offers a curriculum, enrichment and before and after school programs that emphasize high academic achievement and character development for students in pre-kindergarten to eighth grade.

Phil Whitten receives Schoenfield Award

ISHOF presented PHIL WHITTEN, the face of Swimming World Magazine, as its Editor in Chief for over 15 years, with the Al Shoenfield Award at the convention of the United States Aquatic Sports, in Atlanta, on Friday, September 26th.

Al Schoenfield was editor and publisher of Swimming World and Swimming Technique magazines (1960-1977) and served on various international committees for swimming including the FINA Technical Swimming Committee (1980-1984).

Al's life was a committment to swimming. He participated in its administrative structure and spread its stories through his magazines and promotions. Al died on april 19, 2005, but his legacy will forever endure to all who have benefited from his lifetime of service to swimming.  For more information, www.ishof.org/

Colwin, Margaret (78) dearly beloved wife of Cecil Colwin, Mother of Leon, Robert and Pauline, Son-in-Law Paul, and Grandchildren Joel and Leah, passed away peacefully at the Ottawa General Hospital, Smythe Rd Campus,on Sat. Sept 27th , 2008.  Margaret's life was characterized by love and dedication to her family, the community at large, and all her many friends and professional associates. Margaret, a multi-talented person in many disciplines, was selfless, modest and unassuming almost to a fault. www.ishof.org/

End your newsletter with a kick -- consider a postscript to reinforce one of the key product or service benefits.

 

Sincerely,

 

Bruce Wigo
The International Swimming Hall of Fame

 

As a member, you are also entitled to 10% discount on all merchandise in the ISHOF Museum Shop.  It's easy to do online, once you join, just punch in your 4 digit code and your discount will be automatically subtracted from your total.