But Sandy Erickson née Coggan and the Aquatic Board at the Coggan Family Aquatic Complex at La Jolla High School have agreed to create a large mosaic mermaid in commemoration of Cleveland at the 50m outdoor pool, one of the most heavily used aquatic complexes in San Diego and her alma mater.
After battling pancreatic cancer and decades of inspiring and mentoring many swimmers of all ages, Cleveland passed away at 61.
The mosaic will be a touching and appropriate tribute to Cleveland who was the first female on the La Jolla High School swim team, served as a swim coach at the school and other luminaries of the sport.
Donations can be sent to Pat Robbins at 314 Ricardo Place, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA in the form of a check made out to (mosaic artist) Jane Wheeler. Alternatively, financial contributions can be sent on the GoFundMe site.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.