January 2016
Aaron Peirsol is among the honorees
of the prestigeous class of 2016
SAVE THE DATE 
AND JOIN US FOR OUR 
2016 INDUCTION IN 
SANTA CLARA, CA
June 3-5, 2016
2016 ISHOF Membership Drive 
Join and Receive a  $25 Gift Card from SwimOutlet

On his last visit to the Fort Lauderdale, before his death, the great George Haines parting words to our staff were: "You know, this really belongs in Santa Clara." That was the inspiration for leaders of the City to contact us several years ago and now his wish will soon become a reality.  With a bright future assured, you
can help make swimming history by renewing or joining ISHOF as a member.  Your support will help us while we await the completion of our new home in Santa Clara.  If you join or renew at the $50 or more level, you will receive a $25 dollar gift card for SWIMOUTLET.COM, one of our great corporate partners. To   learn more about ISHOF membership  and  to register electronically,  
 


BOB DUENKEL RETIIRES AFTER 40 YEARS AT ISHOF
Bob Duenkel is as much a part of the Hall of Fame as any Honoree or any display.  He started at the Hall of Fame in 1977 as staff member and leaves us as the Executive Director and Curator .
         Bob has had a love of swimming for most of his life.  He began swimming for the YMCA of New Jersey, went on to swim through high school where in 1960, he was a State Record Holder, a NJ AAU Junior Champion, and a NJ AAU Senior Champion.  He attended Kansas State University where he was a many time record holder and multi-award winner in swimming and played on the first ever Kansas State Water Polo Team. More:


If you are in the area, and would like to say good-bye, we are having a retirement party for Bob on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at ISHOF at 6:00pm.
Please call 954.462.6536 to RSVP.
VISITORS TO THE HALL
Two time Olympic gold medalist and 1995 ISHOF Honoree Michael Gross "the Albatross" visited our ISHOF museum for the first time with his wife Ilona and his 2 children Nadine and Marcel while vacationing in Florida.


Olesya Vladikina (R), two time Paralympic gold medalist in the 100m backstroke visited ISHOF with her friend Galina Kuzmina (L).






















Marty Veen (NED) L, 2015 Marathon Hall of Fame Inductee with Dale Petranech (R), IMSHOF Advisory Committee.
NEW AQUISITIONS

Osvaldo Codaro, a legendary water polo star of Argentina for over two decades  added his caps to Hall's incredible memorabilia collection. He was a member of the 1948, 1952 and 1960 Olympic Water Polo Teams from Argentina, and was the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games Champion. Although his teams didn't medal in the Olympics, he was still considered one of the world's best players.

New addition to our Victorian Print Collection:  This magnificent 19th Century prints records one of the memorable swimming feats in world history. According to Plutarch, during the Battle of Alexandria in 48 B.C.E., the Egyptians surrounded Julius Caesar's ship and his capture seemed certain, but then he "threw himself into the sea and with great difficulty escaped by swimming.  At this time, too, it is said that he was holding many papers in his hand and would not let them go, though missiles were flying at him and he was immersed in the sea, but held them above water with one hand and swam with the other."   From an anonymous donor.
I N THE NEWS

Sydney 2000 gold medallist  Ágnes Kovács (ISHOF Class of 2104)   is set to  play a leading role in Budapest's bid
to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics after being appointed
head of its Athletes' Commission.
Read more:


Peter V. Ueberroth will become the third aquatic athlete and the third ISHOF Gold Medallion recipient to receive the Roosevelt Award from the NCAA. It is that organization's most prestigious award.  Peter follows  President Ronald Reagan, 1990 and ISHOF Chairwoman of the Board, Donna DeVarona in 2003 to receive this award.  Peter was the ISHOF Gold Medallion recipient in 2013. President Reagan received the ISHOF award in 1988 and Donna de Varona in 1991.  Congratulations Peter!
PASSINGS  
June Woolger, 80, passed away on December 24, 2015.

June began her swim coaching career in 1970, and was on a pool deck up until a month before her death. She was an excellent teacher, coach, and mentor; was a second mom to 1000's of swimmers; and had the ability to help young people become not only better swimmers, but better people as well. She impacted the lives of so many; was able to be tough yet fun; b rutally honest, yet loving and compassionate. We all have been blessed for knowing her and will miss her brilliant smiles, her warm hugs, and her beautiful blue eyes.

Black Lifesavers of WWII  
The Medal of Honor was established by an act of the United States Congress, in the early days of the American Civil War, to recognize members of the military who distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty. While heroism has been shown throughout history to be both class and color-blind, the individuals responsible for recognizing these acts have not always been as egalitarian. Of the 2060 Medals of Honor distributed between the Civil War and Spanish-American War, 51 medals were awarded to African Americans. But none were awarded to African Americans in WWI or WWII although over 1.3 million served in the US Armed Forces. 
International Swimming Hall of Fame | 954.462.6536 | www.ishof.org
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