A wrap-up of three major news stories about various Halls of Fame, beginning with…
…the big one: the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The Santa Clara weekly reports that real estate tycoon Tod Spieker has made a “substantial commitment” to bringing the Hall to Santa Clara from its long-time home in Ft. Lauderdale, where is has sat since it was officially incorporated no November 23rd, 1964. This move has been talked about for a while, with the Hall proposed to become a part of the new football stadium for the San Francisco 49’ers. He’s one of many big-name pledges, including 49ers president Gideon Yu, Hilton Hotel owner Lawrence Lui (who pledged between $1 million and $12 million to the project), and venture capitalist Patrick Yam. Spieker is one of the biggest benefactors of aquatic sports in the history of the sport: the aquatic complex at UCLA bears his name…
…In other Hall of Fame news, Steve Lundquist has been inducted to the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame. The two-time 1984 Olympic gold medalist (in the 100 breast and on the 400 medley relay) was the world’s dominant sprint breaststroker in the early 80’s. The 52-year old was born in Atlanta and swam collegiately at SMU. Lundquist was a true celebrity of swimming in his era, including earning an honor from People Magazine in 1985 for “Best Chest” among male celebrities. He was also a part of the 1980 team that never competed because of the Olympic boycott, and has become a huge figure it the Swim Across America program. Lundquist is part of a 2013 class that were honored in a ceremony on June 22nd that includes local high school basketball coach Ron Bradley, “Mr. Atlanta Baseball” and minor-league icon Earl Mann; Football Hall of Famer “Neon” Deion Sanders; and former Georgia Tech AD Homer Rice. Rice was the Athletic Director for the Yellow Jackets until 1997, and his tenure included the construction of the 1996 Olympic pool as a legacy for the University…
…And finally, Seton Hall University has inducted Jennifer Heider Berenyi to their Hall of Fame, making her the first female swimmer to earn the honor. She was a member of Seton Hall’s team in the 1990’s where she became the first swimmer in program history to win a Big East Championship by sweeping the 1991 backstroke titles as a freshman…
Putting a the swimming hall of fame with the football 49er’s? Are you mad? Just because you want to make money and get some coverage from other fans does not mean the two need to be incorporated. Yes, financially it would be a savvy decision, but moving from Ft. Lauderdale is a mistake – yes they have been renovating, so renovate! Make it nicer, but the hall of fame should stay put.
disregard the “a”
The Bay Area in general and Santa Clara specifically has turned out dozens of legendary swimmers. In addition to at least 8 Niners’ games a year, there’s a major amusement park down the road, so there’s significant tourist traffic in that area. There will also be at least one Super Bowl, the premier American sporting event covered by hordes of sports media, in the new stadium guaranteeing huge exposure for swimming.
Who’s the Aston mentioned in the headline? Is that Ed Aston of CT?
Yeah. Sorry about that, realized I had already posted on his induction, forgot to remove from the headline.
I believe Steve was on the 4×100 medley relay not the free relay.
“Lunk” actually split a 42+ on SMU’s 400 F.R. at NCAAs in 1985! He split a 51 on their 400 Medley Relay that same meet! And on the same relay, Mook Rhodenbaugh broke the American record in the 100 back with a 48.99!
Yes….. I remember well….. first hand….. 🙂
Except that year wasn’t 1985….. he had already graduated.
I apologize! you are correct…it was 1983 in INDY at NCAAs…1985 was in Austin. Weren’t you the freestyler on that medley relay with Bobby Patten as the flyer??
Remember how shocked everyone was when “Lunk” didn’t make the finals of the 200 Breast!
I swam for Texas during those years…. anchored the medley in ’84.
We were all surprised Steve didn’t final in the 200 breast that year.
Steve Lundquist was a monster talent. With today’s training I have no doubt he’d hold a world record or two.
Steve Lundquist was a giant in his day. I remember as a boy watching the 1984 Olympic 100 breaststroke finals. I think I was as nervous as Lundquist was! His 1:01.6 was just awe-inspiring. I remember at SMU he went a 1:55.0 for the 200 yard breast, at a time when few were even breaking 2:00. Really ahead of his time. An excellent 200 IM as well, he made the 1984 team in that.
Swimswam, if you can get an interview with Lundquist sometime, that would be very special.
An interview with Lundquist would be inspiring. He was a beast and ahead of his time.
I agree. PLEASE, if at all possible get an interview with Steve. Such a great great champion. Starting back in 1978 with his very first world record in the 200 I.M. all the way to that mind blowing 1:01.65 in Los Angeles. He was absolutely fearless. And don’t forget that Steve was the first man under the 2:00 barrier for 200 yards back at the 1979 Short Course national Championships in East Los Angeles.
Note* I meant that he was the first man under the 2:00 barrier for the 200 yard breastroke BACK in in 1979. Sorry if there was any confusion.
While Tod Spieker is certainly one of the biggest benefactors of aquatics sports, I believe the complex at Cal is named after his brother.
You are correct, the Spieker Aquatic Complex at Cal is named after Ned, his brother and Cal water polo letterman. There is also a similarly named complex at UCLA, named after Tod (and his wife, I believe). Two UC campuses, two Spieker Aquatic Complexes. Benefactors indeed.