Swim With Mike, A 40-Year Tribute Of Turning Tragedy To Triumph
Swim With Mike, A 40-Year Tribute Of Turning Tragedy To Triumph
Courtesy of Loretta Abdun-Nur Joseph, Swim With Mike.Swim With Mike is a recently completed documentary film about former competitive swimmer Mike Nyeholt and the incredible generosity that arose from an unfortunate accident.
A dirt bike accident left the 3-time NCAA Swimming national champion paralyzed from his chest down. His teammates at USC, let by his childhood friend and collegiate teammate Ron Orr, held a fundraiser in 1981 with the hopes of being able to provide Nyeholt with a wheelchair accessible van.
Loretta Abdun-Nur Joseph explains, “There was so much money raised in 1981 that there was money leftover after purchasing the special van. True to his nature, Nyeholt decided to not only use the extra money to form a new scholarship fund to help other physically challenged athletes, but that he would also swim at the event if it were held the following year. That vow birthed a scholarship fund for physically challenged athletes known as Swim With Mike.”Led by Orr who remains the Executive Director of Swim With Mike, 253 athletes have received scholarships to 140 universities over the course of the 40-year history of the event. Orr said, “I am motivated daily to do whatever I can to help pave the way for individuals to overcome their tragedies and strive for a brighter future and I intend to lay the groundwork that will allow Swim With Mike to thrive long after I am gone.”
For more information about the organization and annual charity event, visit www.swimwithmike.org.
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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.
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