Class of 2013: LTR: Nathalie Schneyder, Gary Hall Jr., Isabella Castagnetti accepting for Alberto, Dagmar Hase, Milivoj Bebic, Mu Xiangxiong, Chi Lieh Yung, Hu Jia's coach and Peter Montgomery

Jim Droskowski (L) & Steve Foley (R) - Paragon Award Competitive Diving

LtR: Steve McFarland, Melanie Beck, Tom Gompf, Janice Rude Wilson and Prentice Willson

Jose Luis Vaquero Benito (SPN) - J.K. Williams Jr. Int'l Adapted Aquatics Award Presented by S.R. Smith

Beatriz Esearte Pesqueira (MEX)

Great Olympic Moments 

Visitors to our newest exhibit can relive two of the greatest moments in Olympic swimming history.  At the 1996 Olympic Games, Janet Evans was given the honor of lighting Muhammad Ali's torch during the opening ceremonies in Atlanta. We are  

 

Each year we continue to add to the world's greatest collection of aquatic related memorabilia.  Among the items recently added are items from the honorees of the class of 2013. Here you can see the swimsuit, cap and goggles worn by Dagmar Hase when she won her gold medal in the 400m freestyle in Barcelona  (see picture on left), the Everlast boxing robe Gary Hall, Jr. worn in Athens, along with memorabilia from Italy's coaching genius Alberto Castagnetti, Nathalie Scnheyder's Sychro swimsuit, Peter Montgomery's Aussie polo cap and much, much more.   

(Right) 4 time 2012 Paralympics medalist Victoria Arlen visited ISHOF with her mom last month.

Victoria won gold in the 100m freestyle and silver in 4x100m relay, the 50m and 400m freestyle.

 

ROESELARE - The search for the talent of the past is nearing its end. From May 23 to June 23 is the third and final round of voting in this election, the greatest talent that the city has ever known. In this round, everyone can cast a vote for the person or duo that is the talent of the city. You can vote via the website of City Roeselare. In The News Online, you can find the remaining finalists. Today it is Frederick Deburghgraeve's turn. Frederick 'Fredje' Deburghgraeve (Roeselare, 01/06/1973) began swimming at RZV Roeselare and broke through as a competitive swimmer with a specialty breaststroke. His greatest successes he achieved with Ronald Gaastra as a trainer. Deburghgraeve won the 1995 European Championship in Vienna in 1998 and the World Championships in Perth. His biggest success was achieved at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, when he broke the world record in the 100m breaststroke and won Olympic gold in the final. After his victory at the Games he received a triumphant welcome in his hometown. After the renovation of the pool in 2004 it was named "Deburghgraevebad. During his professional career his shaved head was his striking trade mark. He ended his international sports career in 2000 following his disappointing results in the run-up to the Olympics. In 2008 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall Of Fame as the third Belgian after two prominent water polo players. For original article, click here:

 

TANIA CAGNOTTO ON COVER OF ITALIAN PLAYBOY

 

Tania Cagnotto, daughter of Hall of Fame Diver, Giorgio Cagnotto, and the first Italian female to win medals in FINA World Championship competition was the cover girl for Italian Playboy.   More:

Bob E. Kerper, Jr.

 

Robert E. Kerper, Jr., 89, died May 31, 2013 in his Audubon residence. Bob was born on February 22, 1924 in Reading to Robert E. Kerper and Helen Rourke Kerper. His father graduated from Penn State and was an executive with F.W. Woolworth for many years. Bob's mother attended Villa Maria Academy, near West Chester. His grandfather, William J. Rourke, Esq. was a well known attorney in Reading and served as solicitor of the City of Reading for many years in the early 1900's.
Bob was predeceased by two wives, Regina Gruber Kerper and Arlene Hoffmann Kerper. In 1999 he married his college sweet-heart, Mary-Elizabeth Ciaffoni in St. John's Lutheran Church in Reading.

For Bob's biography, click here:

To read John Spannuth's tribute, click here:

   

 

Classic photo of ISHOF member and supporter, Dr. Ira Abrahamson with Miss Universe in 1967.  Dr. Abrahamson, who swam for the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1943 and 1944, was in town to celebrate the induction of Gary Hall, Jr. into the Hall of Fame and his wife Linda's birthday. Back in Cincinnati, it was Ira who encouraged Gary, Sr. to follow his lead and become an ophthalmologist.  

As a water polo player and swimmer for over a decade, Bob competed in the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games. He is a member of five Halls of Fame including his alma mater, University of Southern California, where his artistic career began.

Please contact Laurie Marchwinski at 954-462-6536, ext. 207 or lauriem@ishof.org if you are interested in purchasing this wonderful piece.
To see images of other pieces by Bob Hughes please visit www.bobhughesolympiansculptor.web.com

Dear friends of ISHOF,

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Esther Williams. Swimming was such a great part of her life. I want to thank her and her husband, Edward Bell, for all of their support over the years.  Ww will miss her, and wiith your help we will keep her memory alive for future generations.  I also want to thank all of our sponsors and members, who made this year's induction weekend, and the inauguration of the "Esther" Awards so special and memorable.   

 

Best regards,

Bruce Wigo

President/CEO

International Swimming Hall of Fame
One Hall of Fame Dr.
FortLauderdale, FL 33316
bwigo@ishof.org
phone: 954-559-1622
www.ishof.org