Page 14 - Celebrating 50 Years of the International swimming Hall of Fame

Celebrating 50 Years
greatest scientists and statesman who has ever lived and that he
was a swimmer attracted world-wide attention and headlines.
Eddie Arcaro’s I f there was a celebrity with even the slightest connection
sea horse
award. to swimming Buck did his best to get them involved. For
Hall of Fame Jockey, Eddie Arcaro, Buck created the Seahorse
Award. He gave a special Award to the astronauts of Apollo
8, for the “Highest High Dive in History - from the moon
into the Pacific Ocean.” For Canadian Prime Minister Pierre
Trudeau it was an award for “The first head of state to be
photographed doing the butterfly.” Senator Barry Goldwater
would have been considered for his name only, said Buck, but
he also happened to be on a national record setting relay team
at Staunton Military Academy. Anything to bring attention to
the health and recreational benefits of swimming.
Dawson also had a knack for getting the most out of a buck.
To help fill the museum he begged, borrowed and trash-
picked displays from the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The
centerpiece was from Sports Illustrated’s Olympic exhibit.
He also had a full time staff of artists, including the world
renowned artist Linzee Prescott, led by visual arts expert,
Jamison Handy, who also happened to be in the first class of
honorees in 1965.

What Dawson created with the support of the world-wide
swimming community was special - but it cannot continue
without the support of the world of swimming. Please support
your International Swimming Hall of Fame today!

g
L: 1968 Olympic
100m
Buck explaining the installation of the Sports Illustrated Olympics exhibit from breaststroke
the 1964 World’s Fair. champion
Don McKenzie
looking at new
Honorees displays.
and Olympic
champions R: Lining up for
Ethelda Bleibtry, yearbooks at the
Johnny 1968 Induction.
Weissmuller and
Betty Pinkson
were on hand to
welcome the class
of 1968.

Mark Spitz giving his input on
displays.
The beautiful International Swimming
Hall of Fame Museum is background as
Getting ready for the start of the first induction to be held in the John Dupont the swimmers of the College Coaches Swim
Auditorium with murals by Linzee Prescott. Forum do their laps. g

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