The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) announced the recipients of the 25th Annual Paragon Awards, sponsored by Pentair Aquatic Systems. The Paragon Awards are presented annually to individuals or organizations for outstanding contributions to aquatics. This year’s recipients are Teri McKeever for Competitive Swimming; Lynn Comer Kachmarik for Water Polo, Dave Burgering for Competitive Diving, and Betty Hazle for Synchronized Swimming. This year’s awards has been moved to Saturday evening October 9, 2021 due to Covid in ceremonies during the International Swimming Hall of Fame & Masters (MISHOF) Honoree Induction weekend, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
“For more than 20 years now, Pentair has been honored to be associated with the International Swimming Hall of Fame in recognizing leaders in the aquatic industry who play a prominent role in the promotion of aquatics with the Paragon Awards”, said Jim Drozdowski, Institutional Aquatics Sales Manager for Pentair Aquatic Systems.
“The annual Paragon Awards is a spectacular event that celebrates the unsung heroes who make competitive and recreational aquatics possible. These are the people who save lives, promote water safety and further aquatic education around the world. We are so proud to recognize these important people at the International Swimming Hall of Fame through the sponsorship of Pentair every year,” said ISHOF President/CEO Brent Rutemiller.
About This Year’s Paragon Award Recipients:
Competitive Diving
Dave Burgering competed on the U.S.A. Diving National Team from 1977-1984 and was he a member of the 1980 USA Olympic Team that boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games Burgering became the head diving coach of Swimming Hall of Fame at the Hall of Fame Pool, where he currently coaches. He has coached over 169 Junior National finalists, which include 30 gold medalists at the Junior National level and 11 Senior National gold medalists. He is the past President of USA Diving, was the 2008 U.S. Olympic Diving Coach, and has been a member of the USA Diving Coaching staff for numerous other events, including Grand Prix events, World Series and Junior Pan-Am Games.
2020 Paragon Award Winner Dave Burgering
Artisitc (Synchronized) Swimming
Betty Hazle has been on the U.S. Synchronized Swimming’s International Relations committee for the past 20+ years. She oversees the exchange programs through clubs with other nations with a mutual understanding of athletes learning fellowship, culture and sport. Hazle is a FINA A judge, she is on the UANA Technical committee and will be a judge representing the United States, in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
2020 Paragon Award Winner Betty Hazle
Water Polo
Lynn Comer Kachmarik is the founder and CEO of True Brand Sports LLC, and Vice President of Equilibria in Sports. She has 47 years of leadership and coaching experience at all sport levels. She was a twelve-time All-American water polo player and swimmer at Slippery Rock University. She was a 10-year member of the United States National Water Polo team, and then served on their Executive Committee. Throughout an 18-year career at Bucknell University, she held various coaching positions, including serving two decades as the head coach for the Men’s and Women’s Water Polo and Swim teams. Kachmarik has been inducted into six athletic Halls of Fame, including the United States Water Polo Hall of Fame, Bucknell University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Collegiate Water Polo Coach Hall of Fame
2020 Paragon Award Winner Lynn Comer Kachmarik
Competitive Swimming
Teri McKeever was in her 28th season overseeing the University of California women’s swimming & diving program in 2019-20. She has guided the Golden Bears to four NCAA and four Pac-12 team championships. She was the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Head Coach and has been a two-time U.S. Olympic Team Assistant Coach. McKeever has coached 26 swimmers who have won 36 Olympic medals, 64 swimmers and divers who have been named CSCAA All-American Scholars and has coached 133 swimmers and divers who have been named to the Pac-12 All-American Academic Team. She has been inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame and the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame.
2020 Paragon Award Winner Teri McKeever Photo Courtesy: Cal Athletics
Recreational Swimming
Florence Werner was an active American Red Cross Instructor for over 50 years. For Werner, swimming was her life. And although she is retired, she continues to offer guidance to swimmers and instructors alike. Her career began in 1961 at the Curtis Pool, a City of Miami Pool, just a few blocks from downtown Miami, which was once located along the Miami River. She was recognized for her 50 years of service and teaching by the American Red Cross, but what really mattered to Werner was teaching people to swim, young and old and making them safe.
2020 Paragon Award Winner Florence Werner Photo Courtesy: Jeff Kolodny
The Paragon Awards are part of ISHOF’s 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame and Masters Honoree Induction Weekend, October 8-9, 2021. For ticket information visit www.ishof.org or call 570 594-4367. For more information about the Paragon Awards, https://ishof.org/paragon-awards.html
About Pentair Aquatic Systems: Pentair Aquatic Systems is a world-wide leader in the manufacture of residential and commercial swimming pool equipment including PARAGON™ Competitive Starting Platforms, which have been the leader in innovation, design and quality for over 50 years. Pentair is a proud sponsor of the ISHOF “Paragon Awards” since 1996. For more information about the Paragon Awards, see: https://ishof.org/paragon-awards.html
About ISHOF
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) museum opened its doors to the public in December of 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That same year, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) – the governing body for Olympic aquatic sports – designated the ISHOF museum as the “Official Repository for Aquatic History”. In 2018, Sports Publications Inc, publisher of Swimming World Magazine and its multi-media platforms, merged with ISHOF to expand the museum’s reach and impact. Today, ISHOF’s vision is to be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. Show your support for the sport of swimming by becoming a member of ISHOF.
About the International Swimming Hall of Fame & Masters (MISHOF) Induction Weekend:
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) & Masters (MISHOF) Induction Ceremony is shaping up to be a star-studded weekend with ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines acting as co-emcees and hosts of the induction with multiple events spread out over two days in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Make your plans now to attend the weekend of October 9, 2021! ISHOF Members can purchase the Complete Weekend Package (see below) and save! (Get info on membership here.) Can’t attend the event? Donate to ISHOF to support our honorees.
This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:
International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
Brendan Hansen – Swimming
Rebecca Soni – Swimming
Elvira Khasyanova– Synchronized (Artistic) Swimmer
David Marsh – Coach
Bob Duenkel *– ISHOF Contributor
Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees
Clay Britt – Swimming
David Cotton – Diving
Kerry O’Brien – Coach Contributor
Rose Cody – Artistic Swimming
Paragon and ISHOF Specialty Awards
Eddie Reese – 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award
Teri McKeever – Competitive Swimming
Dave Burgering – Competitive Diving
Betty Hazle – Synchronized Swimming
Lynn Comer Kachmarik – Water Polo
Florence Werner – Recreational Swimming
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction
- 11:30-12:30 pm Luncheon Followed By Tour
Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
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- 5:30 pm VIP Reception
- 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
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 $259 per night
Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021
Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367
About Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF)
The purpose of the MISHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness, and participation in adult aquatic programs. MISHOF recognizes the achievements of individuals who have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups. Most must pre-qualify by an objective point system based on world records performances, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances. The MISHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org
About International Swimming Hall of Fame (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. It was first recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports, in 1968. ISHOF’s mission is to collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate the history of aquatic sports while promoting Every Child A Swimmer.
For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
Bravo, Dave Burgering, great diver and diving coach! So proud of you, Dave! All the best, JP