The USA Swimming Foundation is headed to Irvine, California for the US Open (July 30 - August 3).
Plans are in the works for an Alumni Social on the afternoon of August 3rd and opportunities to present awards during the US Open may also be available for our alums. Additional information will be posted as details and final arrangements come together. In the meantime, save the date and contact Carol Arnold if you plan to be in the area and want to join us for some food and fun!

What: Alumni Social

When: Saturday, August 3

Time: 3 - 4:30 pm

Where: TBD - in the vincinity of the Wollett Aquatic Center, Irvine, CA.

Federal Way, WA - March 24

This National Team Alumni social at the Men's NCAA's in Federal Way was our best-yet-ever with alums, donors, parents and officials all gathering for our second event of the year. Some notable attendees were Gary Hall, Jr., Nathan Adrian, Margaret Hoelzer, Aaron Piersol, Tom Malchow, Ricki Berens, Megan Jendrick, Josh Davis, Rowdy Gaines and many others. Our featured athlete guest, Kathleen Hersey and USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch made an awesome pair, sharing stories and insights about the team and the upcoming Team Trials and Olympics. USA Swimming Foundation secretary, Ron Van Pool represented the Foundation and shared with the crowd great information about the Foundation, our mission and ways to get involved. It was a great mix of people and we are planning on continuing our socials beyond 2012.  Next up is the U.S. National Team Alumni Reunion taking place in Omaha, NE from June 29 - July 2, 2012!

Auburn, AL - March 17

Our first alumni social of 2012 kicked off on St. Patty's Day at The Hotel at Auburn University! With our special guest for the evening, USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch taking center stage, Frank wowed the crowd with insider info about the upcoming U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming and the London Olympics.  Bill Maxson, USA Swimming Foundation Board Chair, provided an update on the happenings within the Foundation and shared upcoming Foundation related events with the group.

Austin – March 18th

The Alumni Social season kicked off on March 18th with a stellar group of nearly fifty alums converging after the Women’s NCAA finals at the University of Texas, Austin.

A feast of good ‘ole fashioned Texas barbeque was enjoyed by all including, Jill Sterkel, Ryan Berube, BJ Bedford, Kirk Stackle, Mary Jo Swalley, Whitney Hedgepeth, Andrea Fisher, John Hargis, Katie Arris-Wilson, Doug Russell and the entire Rhodenbaugh family.

Our special guest for that evening was Rebecca Soni to share her experiences with the group as a current National Team member. Soni, who upset Leisel Jones in the 200 meters breaststroke, talked about how she enjoys her time in the water without financial worry thanks to the Athlete Partnership Agreement, noting that her experience is probably much different than the alumns in the room. Coincidentally, it was Rebecca’s birthday and the crowd surprised her with a birthday cake and song, cheering as she blew out the candles.

Chuck Wielgus and Debbie Hesse were also on hand to welcome our alums and speak about the Foundation’s messaging and goals.

 

Minneapolis – March 25th

Held at the Presidential Suite of the Radisson Hotel right after the Men’s NCAA finals, our second alumni social of the season provided a great opportunity to meet current National Team athlete David Plummer, a new star of Team USA. Plummer, who is on the cusp of being among the best backstrokers in the nation, spoke candidly about how important the Athlete Partnership Agreement is to him.

Matt Biondi made a snap decision to fly into Minneapolis for the NCAA finals and social, as well as Anthony Ervin. Roque Santos had a great time as did Polly Winde Surhoff, Peter Rocca, Tim Liehold, John Hargis, Adolph Kiefer, Trina Radke Gerry, Martin Zielinski and Virg Luken to name a few.

While the group dug into some excellent grub, Debbie Hesse greeted the crowd and took a few moments to share her vision of the Foundation and talked about our water-safety initiative, Make a Splash.

PALO ALTO - AUGUST 6TH

We gathered the troops together again for our third alumni social of 2011 at Nationals in Palo Alto on Saturday, August 6th. It was a perfect summer day and the good weather brought out an impressive array of National Team alums who gathered in a big outdoor tent set up on the grounds just outside the Avery Aquatic Center at Stanford University.

Current National Team member Mike Alexandrov was our National Team guest speaker for this social. Molly Rossiter, Barbara Jordan, Jeff Float, Michael Bruner, Polly Winde Surhoff, Bob Jackson, Sid Cassidy, Lori Stentrom, Dan Veatch, Anne Warner Cribbs, Ben Wildman Tobriner, Gail Roper, Megan Oesting, Bob Placak, Susan Jones Roy, Lynn Gautschi, Haley Clark, Richard and Nort Thornton, Tim Liebhold, Tom Jaeger, Carol MacPherson, David Berkoff, Sheri Hanna, Lea Loveless, Sean Killion and Rowdy Gaines all were on hand to mingle and network with each other while enjoying the short program and delicious array of food and goodies. 

atlanta - December 17th

Dantanna's in the CNN Tower, downtown Atlanta was the site for our final Alumni Social of 2012. Mary Plant co-hosted and USA Swimming National Team Director Frank Busch was on-hand to explain his insights about Team USA's position going into the Summer Olympics. Steve Lundquist surprised everyone, making an appearance after Chris Weissman connected with him. We had a great line-up of VIPs in attendance: USOC Board Member Mike Plant, British Swimming Board Member Guy Davis, and USA Swimming President Bruce Stratton.
Alumni attending were: Chris Weissman, Mary Plant, Steve Lundquist, Robert G. Langsett, Courtney Amanda Hart, Melissa Klein, Elizabeth Hill, Kristy Kowal, Mel Stewart, Geoff Gaberino, Susan Gaberino, Megan Neyer, Ben Michaelson and Eric Ericson.