About This Year\u2019s Paragon Award Recipients:<\/h2>\n
Competitive Diving<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n Dave Burgering<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award Winner Dave Burgering<\/p><\/div>\n Artisitc (Synchronized) Swimming<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n Betty Hazle<\/strong> has been on the U.S. Synchronized Swimming\u2019s International Relations committee for the past 20+ years.\u00a0 She overseas the exchange programs through clubs with other nations with a mutual understanding of athletes learning fellowship, culture and sport.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award Winner Betty Hazle<\/p><\/div>\n Water Polo<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n Lynn Comer Kachmarik <\/strong>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\u2019s and Women\u2019s Water Polo and Swim teams. \u00a0Kachmarik 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<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award Winner Lynn Comer Kachmarik<\/p><\/div>\n Competitive Swimming\u00a0<\/u><\/em> 2020 Paragon Award Winner Teri McKeever Photo Courtesy: Cal Athletics<\/p><\/div>\n Recreational Swimming<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n Florence Werner<\/strong> was an active American Red Cross Instructor for over 50 years.\u00a0 For Werner, swimming was her life.\u00a0 And although she is retired, she continues to offer guidance to swimmers and instructors alike.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award Winner Florence Werner Photo Courtesy: Jeff Kolodny<\/p><\/div>\n Water Safety<\/u><\/em><\/p>\n Linda Quan<\/strong> is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at the Seattle Children\u2019s Hospital and Regional Medical Center and a professor at the University of Washington\u2019s Department of Pediatrics (Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development).\u00a0 Dr. Quan has been involved in drowning research and guidelines for many years on a national and international level. Dr. Quan and her longtime collaborator, Elizabeth Bennett\u2019s research helped define the problem that in King\u2019s County, teens 15-19 were at greater risk of drowning than any other age group besides preschoolers, and that drowning in lakes and rivers posed the greatest risk to teens.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award Winner Linda Quan<\/p><\/div>\n The Paragon Awards are part of ISHOF\u2019s 56th Annual Hall of Fame Honoree Weekend, April 24-25, 2020.\u00a0 For ticket information visit www.ishof.org or call 570 594-4367. \u00a0For more information about the Paragon Awards, https:\/\/ishof.org\/paragon-awards.html<\/a><\/p>\n As part of this special evening, ISHOF presents “Specialty Awards”.\u00a0 The ISHOF Specialty Awards are presented annually to individuals for outstanding contributions to aquatics.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s ISHOF Specialty Award Recipients:<\/strong><\/p>\n Jordan Whitney Wei \u2014 2019 Buck Dawson Author Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020 Buck Dawson Author\u2019s Award will be Jordan Whitney-Wei<\/strong> for\u00a0his book, Katharine Whitney Curtis – The Mother of Synchronized Swimming<\/em>. \u00a0This award is presented by ISHOF in the name of William \u201cBuck\u201d Dawson, ISHOF\u2019s founding Executive Director, to an author of work that promotes and educates people about aquatics.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award recipient Jordan Whitney-Wei<\/p><\/div>\n Jordan Whitney-Wei<\/strong>\u00a0is the great-grandnephew of Katharine Whitney Curtis. His book, Katharine Whitney Curtis \u2013 Mother of Synchronized Swimming<\/em> will be released on February 25, 2020.\u00a0 His previous writing and research focused on philosophy and poetry, but this time, it focuses on family, synchronized swimming and his \u201cAunt Kate\u201d, a woman ahead of her time. \u00a0This is Whitney-Wei\u2019s third book and his first award.\u00a0\u00a0 Katharine \u201cKay\u201d Curtis was the originator of synchronized swimming, as we know it today, she even wrote a book about it in 1936.\u00a0 But there was much more to her life and career.\u00a0 Unbound by fear, or the narrow expectations of society, this was a woman who lived ahead of her time making things happen along the way.\u00a0 She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1979.\u00a0 The book will be available on Amazon for purchase.<\/p>\n About Buck Dawson<\/strong>: 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 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Russell Weaver \u2014 2020 International Swimming Hall of Fame Service Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Staff of the International Swimming Hall of Fame are pleased to announce that Russell Weaver<\/strong> will receive the 2020 ISHOF Service Award.\u00a0 The ISHOF Service Award is given 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.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award recipient Russell Weaver<\/p><\/div>\n Russell Weaver has easily given over 25 years of his time, connections, and resources to ISHOF.\u00a0 He is involved extensively with business networks throughout South Florida.\u00a0 When he attends these meetings and events, he always has in his mind, \u201cCan this help ISHOF in any way?\u201d\u00a0 As president of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Sisters Cities International and co-chair of\u00a0Tower Club\u00a0Internationals, Weaver works closely together with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Broward County, and the City of Fort Lauderdale to promote Broward County\u2019s business and cultural highlights to the Miami based Consulates and binational chamber of commerce organizations.\u00a0\u00a0 During these international monthly meetings, new business and government relationships are established, highlighting Fort Lauderdale and Broward County as a world class destination.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As always, Weaver remembers ISHOF and always gives us the opportunity\u00a0 \u00a0to showcase our Honorees at some of these events and educate the international local community and others, about what our museum has to offer.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n James S. O\u2019Connor \u2014 2020 Judge G. Harold Martin Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2020 Judge G. Harold Martin Award is James (Jim)<\/strong> O\u2019Connor<\/strong>.\u00a0 The G. Harold Martin Award is presented to someone for their long and exceptional leadership, insight, and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making \u201cEvery Child A Swimmer\u201d.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award recipient James S. O’Conor<\/p><\/div>\n Jim O\u2019Connor has more than 40 years-experience as an aquatic professional and is committed to the prevention of aquatic accidents and teaching children to swim.\u00a0 O\u2019Connor is the Aquatics Program Manager for Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Open Spaces Department, the third largest parks and recreation department in the United States and the largest municipal learn to swim provider in the state.<\/p>\n Mr. O\u2019Connor has held numerous aquatic positions, served on the \u201cAdvisory Council\u201d of the \u201cNational Drowning Prevention Alliance\u201d, has been an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, Aquatics Coordinator for the American Red Cross Greater Miami and Keys Chapter, and was the Aquatic Director and Head Swim Coach at the University of Oregon.<\/p>\n About G. Harold Martin<\/strong>: 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 \u201cEvery Child A Swimmer.\u201d His civic involvement led to the building of Fort Lauderdale, Florida\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Patricia Cirigliano \u2014\u00a02020 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Awards and Recognition Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Patricia Cirigliano<\/strong> will be the 2020 recipient of the Virginia Hunt Newman International Award.<\/p>\n The award is sponsored by Kiefer<\/a>, the \u201cKeep \u2018em Swimming\u201d 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 \u201cMother of Infant Swimming,\u201d Virginia Hunt Newman.<\/p>\n 2020 Paragon Award recipient Dr. Patricia Cirigliano<\/p><\/div>\n Dr. Patricia Cirigliano started the first Argentine swimming school for babies in 1960, together with her holistic method, Matronatacion\u00ae, which is a creative and original approach to aquatic initiation for babies that involves human integrity and respect for the child and the family. To present, 17,000 babies, toddlers and young children beginning at 15 days old have learned to swim and have enjoyed the Matronatacion\u00ae method at Cirigliano\u2019s school, whose motto is \u201cSwimming is learnt by playing\u201d. \u00a0They are at the very core of learning. The Method distinctive characteristics are freedom, game, active mother role, intelligent learning according to child maturity development, without conditioned response and didactical use of toys and materials.<\/p>\n Dr. Cirigliano is member of a great number of associations such as: International Physical Education Federation and Panathlon Club in Buenos Aires and the National Swimming Schools Association in U.S.A. \u00a0As from 1991, she has been an active member of the Argentine Pediatrics Association.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Julia Meno \u2014 2020 John K. Williams, Jr. Adapted Aquatics Award<\/strong><\/p>\n The Adapted Aquatics Committee of the International Swimming Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that Julia Meno<\/strong> will receive the 2020 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>, a world-leading manufacturer of commercial and residential swimming pool deck equipment headquartered in Canby, Oregon.<\/p>\n Julia Meno, CTRS, ATRIC, CMT, is the founder and owner of Therapeutic Aquatics, LLC. and is an internationally known presenter and instructor on aquatic therapy and wellness. She currently instructs group wellness classes and provides individual aquatic therapy sessions. She is the author of several instructional aquatic therapy technique manuals & DVD\u2019s. She was the recipient of the ATRI International Tsunami Spirit Award (2005) and The Aquatic Therapy Professional Award (2012).<\/p>\n![\"Dave](\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/Dave-Burgering.jpg\")
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\nTeri McKeever<\/strong>\u00a0was in her 28th season overseeing the University of California women\u2019s swimming & diving program in 2019-20.\u00a0 She has guided the Golden Bears to four NCAA and four Pac-12 team championships.\u00a0 She was the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Head Coach and has been a two-time U.S. Olympic Team Assistant Coach.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 She has been inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame and the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n![\"McKeever_Teri\"](\"https:\/\/vmrw8k5h.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/McKeever_Teri.jpg\")
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