Newsletter-Summer2016

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Summer 2016 Newsletter SAVE SUMMER 2016 THE DATES! November 5, 2016 Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund USC Homecoming Swim With Mike Booth Founded and Hosted by the University of Southern California since 1981 36th Swim With Mike Campaign April 8, 2017 IN THIS ISSUE: th Exceeds Goal at $1,277,000 37 Annual USC Swim With Mike Nootbaar Establishes Endowment 2 Be part of our Ripple Effect — create your online campaign today! Executive Director’s

Design: J.R.Navarro & Associates Inc. Associates & J.R.Navarro Design: Message 3 Contribute online at www.swimwithmike.org or use the enclosed envelope SWM Satellite Events 4-7 213-740-4155 • [email protected] Photo Gallery from USC Uytengsu Event 8-9 Swim with Mike current and alumni scholarship recipients gather at the event. hat a great 36th year for Swim With Mike! Thank you for the wave Select Quotes from some Wof support from our dedicated Swim With Mike family – donors, of our SWM Grads 10-11 volunteers, scholarship recipients and community friends. This year’s annual campaign has been the most successful we have ever had, and it is because of you. You have not only allowed us to provide even more Recipient Updates 14 scholarship funds to deserving, qualified physically challenged students, but you have helped us extend and expand our ripple effect to reach even El Toro High School further and ever more effectively across the nation. SWM Event 14 Our current 57 scholarship recipients are actively engaged in our continuous forward thrust, raising funds and significantly representing Swim With USC Betas give Mike at their universities and communities at 91 institutions. And, our to SWM 14 total 187 recipients continue to be active participants by loyally supporting our mission. All this, plus our signature USC Swim With Mike event at Uytengsu Aquatics Center and our eight 2016 satellite events make for Here’s Why one great wave of success! We Do It 15

It’s been a good year, indeed! Your participation makes a consequential,

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602 CA Angeles, Los

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0602 CA Angeles, Los and lifelong, difference in the lives of our recipients. And we thank you!

Heritage Hall MC 0602 MC Hall Heritage Heritage Hall MC 0602 MC Hall Heritage

University of Southern California Southern of University

Our Mission:

Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund Fund Scholarship Athletes Challenged Physically

Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund Fund Scholarship Athletes Challenged Physically To provide financial resources for advanced education that pave the way for physically

challenged athletes to help overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential.

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SUMMER 2016 Herb Nootbaar Establishes HERE’S WHY WE DO IT SUMMER 2016 Transformational Endowment My father has known Mike and supported Swim With Mike for 30 years. Having for Swim With Mike attended Swim With Mike events all my life, I have come to appreciate the value of “Herb is a wonderful friend who has really made a difference community service and giving back to others. As a student-athlete I want to help those student athletes who have suffered a traumatic injury to rebuild their lives and achieve success. at USC, and now Swim With Mike” Nico James – Ron Orr swimwithmike.com Campaign Director

ong-time USC philanthropist and friend L Herb Nootbaar has generously established an Although we may face difficulties at times, we can choos e to overcome these events and continue endowment fund for our physically challenged living. Swim With Mike gives physically challenged athletes a chance to accomplish this by providing athletes scholarship fund. Herb and his family support and financial resources. Please contribute to this amazing program, even if it’s a couple of dollars. have deep and longstanding support of all things USC – his three children attended USC, and JoAnne Christian Bonilla and John continue to be very active in the USC Azusa Pacific University, Marriage and Family Therapy 2017 community. Swim With Mike Scholarship Recipient and Campaign Director Herb has been most supportive of many efforts across the USC campus, and especially with our THANK YOU for your generous donations to Swim With Mike. I have been paralyzed since I was 13 years old. athletic programs – swimming and baseball have In a split second, I became a quadriplegic, and I slowly recovered mobility and function. But I really needed especially had the benefit of his philanthropy over the years. a great education to achieve true independence. Enter Swim With Mike. Thanks to SWM, I am now attending USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering as a chemical engineering major. It is a dream come true. SWM changed Herb has long been a fervent Trojan baseball fan, which prompted him to fund the Herbert my life and gave me a future I could not have had otherwise. I don’t know what I would have done without V. Nootbaar Baseball Office and Hall of Fame SWM. Thank you for donating to SWM. It makes a HUGE difference! You will change a life. Complex at USC’s historic Dedeaux Baseball Field. Spencer Fox Great grandson Nigel was a star pitcher for the Trojans and now plays professional ball, and great USC, Chemical Engineering 2018 grandson Lars is currently a freshman outfielder Swim with Mike Scholarship Recipient and Campaign Director and leadoff batter.

Notably, Herb is the longest standing USC football season ticket holder. He attended his first USC game in 1925 and first purchased season tickets in 1929 – he attended games until he turned 103!

Herb will be 108 in November, and he says, “I’ve had a memorable life.” Indeed. His first job at age 12 was driving a truck for 15 cents an hour. Herb later joined Ralston Purina and went on to head the company. Eventually, he started his own agribusiness in Capistrano Beach and became active in Orange County real estate holdings. His family life has been active, too – 18 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren!

Herb’s endowment gift will greatly strengthen the future of Swim With Mike as the funds are invested in perpetuity and only the annual interest is pulled from the account. The corpus amount remains the same and will continue working to produce the annual interest. This is important because these funds provide a steady, predictable source of income over time, upon which our physically challenged athletes scholarship fund may make commitments and fortify the program.

We currently have a $3 million endowment fund, and our goal is to reach a level of $5-10 million to support Contribute online at www.swimwithmike.org or use the enclosed envelope our mission in perpetuity. If you would like to help us grow our Swim With Mike endowment, please contact 213-740-4155 • [email protected] Ron Orr at 213.740.4161.

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SUMMER 2016 A Message From SUMMER 2016 The Executive Director El Toro Holds hat a great 2016 it is turning out to be for Swim With Mike! The ripple effect Wis in full motion and we are reaching more and more new friends who are also The First Ever eager to pay it forward! It is so rewarding to see the next generation of volunteers, as High School Swim donors and participants begin to take an active part alongside our longtime friends. In the month of March, Swim With Mike was honored to be the beneficiary of the With Mike Event! Trojan League of Los Angeles annual fundraising event, where our scholarship he 2016 Swim With Mike season got off to a splash at the inaugural El Toro High School Swim with Mike recipients representing us that day were escorted by the USC Trojan Marching Tsatellite event. Isaiah Birmingham, a junior at the school, was inspired to organize an event to raise funds Band and Song Girls, along with the USC Olympians into the Uytengsu Aquatics to support our physically challenged student athlete scholarship fund after he attended our Swim With Mike Center to the tune of Olympic Fanfare. Back-to-School Brunch and met some of our amazing scholarship recipients, as well as Mike and Ron. We were most fortunate to be selected as this year’s fundraising recipient, not Ron Orr Isaiah started an on-campus club and they worked with the Paracletes for Athletes group at Villa Park High to only for the additional program funds received, but also importantly by allowing us to tell our story organize the event and student support. The entire process was student-run, with minimal adult assistance. to generous members of the USC Trojan Family – many of whom were not familiar with who we are and what we do. It was a great day! Swim With Mike Scholarship recipients were well represented. Alex Pass (Denver University Law 2016) an Orange County native, flew in from Denver to participate in the festivities, and Zach Pickett (USC Marshall Also in March, Swim With Mike had its first-ever satellite swim in Orange County, AND at a high school. 2018) competed in the swim relays. Also, SWM Alum Daryl Holmlund, (USC Masters in Teaching 2012) gave Isaiah Birmingham, an El Toro High School Junior and his amazing student colleagues, impeccably organized a vocal rendition of his song “No More Wheelchairs.” this inaugural event, and it blew our socks off! What a great day for our Swim With Mike program! Please look forward to attending this event next year – it is quite an experience! The idea caught on in the community and the event received the support of the So Cal Swim Club, whose coaches are former USC Swimmers (and Mike and Ron teammates). Olympians Bruce Furniss, Mike O’Brien, USC Beta Theta Pi’s Gamma Tau Alumni Chapter staged an event at the Galen Center to celebrate their Brian Goodell, Andy Strenk and Kaitlyn Sandeno (who is an El Toro and USC grad and 2004 Olympic Gold “Brotherhood of Champions” NCAA All-Americans and USA Olympians. Additionally, they formally medalist in Swimming) were also supportive. announced that Swim With Mike is the official philanthropic benefactor of the fraternity’s chapter.

In addition to the students, parents and local business’ support, the general store, silent auction, raffle and For over 35 years USC’s Gamma Tau chapter of Beta Theta Pi has been integral in the operations and donations student entry fees for the cannonball contest, noodle races and beach water polo game added to the total for our philanthropy, and many members and Beta Friends have been some of Swim With Mike’s longtime of $16,000 raised for Swim With Mike! Thanks, El Toro! supporters. We are deeply grateful to all Betas, especially some of our longest-running contributors such as Jack Cameron, Steve Miller, Mike Thomas, Bruce Furniss, Ed Roski, Fred Uytengsu, John Williams USC Beta Theta Pi Names Swim With Mike Official Philanthropy and Larry Stone. We are thrilled to receive this meaningful endorsement of our Swim With Mike efforts! he Gamma Tau Alumni Association Chapter of Beta Theta Pi has announced that Swim With Mike is now its Our signature Swim With Mike event on April 2nd at Uytengsu Aquatics Center was our most successful Tpermanent official philanthropy! This cements a 36-year relationship that began at the 1981 inception of ever, and we couldn’t be happier! A wonderful day of yearlong efforts really paid off, and we couldn’t be the physically challenged athletes scholarship program with Beta more thankful to all our volunteers, donors, and participants who make it possible to achieve our mission: Ron Orr, our Founder and Executive Director. To provide financial resources for advanced education that paves the way for physically challenged athletes to overcome personal tragedies and realize their full potential. During the entire life of Swim With Mike Beta’s Gamma Taus have been integral in the donations and operations of the phi- It is all about the ripple effect of Swim With Mike . . . let’s keep it going! A drop, a ripple, a wave . . . lanthropy. Many of the members and Beta Friends have been some of Swim With Mike’s longest running supporters. – Ron Orr Some of the enduring – and endearing – Beta participants include Jack Cameron, Mike Thomas, Bruce Furniss, Ed Roski, Fred Uytengsu, Steve Miller, John Williams and Larry Stone. Contribute online at www.swimwithmike.org or use the enclosed envelope 213-740-4155 • [email protected] Thank you to the Betas for their dedication and support!

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Swim With Mike Satellite Events Ryan Porteous is Going to Rio in SUMMER 2016 – More and More Every Year! September to Represent the U.S. SUMMER 2016 Swim With Mike satellite events represent our ever-expanding ripple effect as yan Porteous (UCSB Mechanical Engineering 2018), a Swim With Mike we touch the lives of more and more recipients, donors, volunteers and friends. We R scholarship recipient, will be going to Rio later this year to represent the United States. The 2016 Para World Sailing Championships recently held in the Netherlands marked encourage interested parties to create a fundraising activity to reach out to those in their the conclusion of the U.S. Sailing Rio 2016 Athlete Selection Series in the doublehanded SKUD- communities and tell our story and to join our team. 18 class for the 2016 Paralympic Games. Ryan and his teammate, 2008 SKUD-18 Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Beijing Gold medalist Maureen McKinnon, bested the fierce competition and won The 6th Annual Swim With Mike kickoff the honor to compete at the next level – week held March 25-April 1 at the Rose the Paralympics in Rio. Bowl Aquatics Center was another outstanding success. Head Masters Swim Ryan said he was very proud to have won team coach Chad Durieux led the way the right to sail for his country on the from a fundraising standpoint and biggest stage in adaptive sports. nearly all of the masters swimmers participated as swimmer/fundraisers or “It’s going to be great sailing against donors. these elite athletes at the Games, and I’m honored to be representing the United Coach Chad swam with his swim- States. We have a lot we can get better mers and then came to the USC event at, and hopefully we’ll win a medal for with many of his team to participate in the U.S.” the Masters Workout coached by USC Ryan Porteous Head Swim Coach Dave Salo. Many of the center’s other aquatics aficionados participated as well. Swim With Mike Board Rose Bowl Masters Swim With Mike member and longtime master of cere- Our Artist in the monies John Naber and Chairman of the Board Mike Nyeholt joined in the fun at the RBAC where they swim regularly. This partnership with the Rose Bowl Aquatics State Department Center and its many members is a big part of the “ripple effect” that will take Swim With Mike into the future. ick Balenger, a junior majoring in Global Affairs with a minor in Criminal Justice at George Mason University, is one busy guy! Arizona N When he is not attending class, studying, working as an intern at The The Swim With Mike recipients in Tucson enjoyed another Department of State, participating in a groundbreaking research delicious meal at downtown Mexican restaurant La Cocina project at George Mason’s Rehabilitation Department, receiving for their 4th annual fundraising event. This year, two former MedStar’s National Rehabilitation Network Award, playing on the recipients, University of Arizona alum Andrew Donnellan and DC quad rugby team and raising money for Swim With Mike’s Roll Joe Kay, a Stanford University alum, hosted the percentage with Cole event in Virginia – he is an artist! night, where 10% of all food and drink purchased that evening was donated to Swim With Mike. As a budding artist, Nick has a proclivity toward the style of painters Nick Balenger Jackson Pollock and his wife Lee Krasner. With no formal training, Nick’s paintings are a natural Also, friends of SWM recipient Ronan Nelson (UCLA ) helped calling – a hobby that reflects his zest for life with colorful bursts of color. out and joined the festivities, which included live music per- formed by a local band. Andrew and Joe both talked about Nick’s paintings are a labor of love and he shared that feeling with Swim With Mike by donating four how the Swim With Mike scholarship helped them complete great pieces to our Silent Auction. The paintings were widely praised at the USC event, and they greatly college. Once again, the event was a great success and a fun helped us raise more money than ever before! That means more scholarship funds! time for everyone. The recipients in Tucson hope to do it again next year. Swim With Mike alums Drew Donnellan and Joe Kay

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UC Berkeley SUMMER 2016 The 6th Swim With Mike Cal held April 17 at Spieker Aquatics Complex SUMMER 2016 was a blast! Led by Teri McKeever, who is a Trojan Alum, U.S. Olympic Swim Coach and Cal’s Head Women’s Swim Coach who worked with Cal Senior Swim Team Member Kelly Naze. Teri and Kelly worked with the Cal Aquatics Teams to put on a fun filled day of activities, including the swim-a-thon, relays and the biggest splash contest. Members of UC Berkeley’s Chapter of Beta Theta Pi were out in force and had a Jake Olson Takes great time. All funds raised at Cal were matched by a generous gift by Tod Spieker. Swim With Mike The Field With a appreciates the continued support of UC Berkeley and Cal Athletics. Standing Ovation

USC Football team long snapper and Swim With Mike scholarship recipient Jake Olson (USC Business 2019), had quite a successful Spring Football game. Jake Olson, number 61; long snapper for the Trojans When Coach Helton sent #61 into the game, the crowd of 20,000 welcomed him with a standing ovation. Then, he really made them roar when he snappe d for two field goals. To see the action, please visit foxsports.com/college-football/story/usc-trojans-jake-olson-blind-long-snapper-plays-in-spring-fame-041616. FIGHT ON! Wheelchair Basketball Kicks off the USC Swim With Mike Weekend

WM scholarship recipient Zack Wentz SWM Scholarship Recipients with the UC Berkeley Swimmers S (USC Economics, 2018) organized UC San Diego the second annual Wheelchair Basket- ball tournament with eight teams The 6th Annual Swim With Mike event was appropriately described as a “Pool Party”. Once again, through participating this year. Each team is extraordinary efforts by all, the events raised even more that last year, topping $80,000! For the first time, comprised of 5-8 players, all USC stu- the event had to cope with the early San Diego “May Gray” and even RAIN. However the rain only damp- dents were welcome to sign up, and ened clothes, not our spirit. individuals had an opportunity to sign Zack Wentz and his Wheelchair Basketball crew up as “free agents” and play on a team. People arrive as early as 8am in order to get the traditional, delicious and free Pancake Breakfast Fellow SWM scholarship recipient Zach Pickett (USC Business, 2018) joined in the fun as he participated on offered by the Master Swim team chefs lead by one of the competing teams. The crowd was full of friends and supporters, and they cheered everyone on. “Sickie” Marcikic. This year’s pancake choices, plain, chocolate chip, strawberry and margarita, included Zack’s friend, who works with UCLA Athletics and is in a wheelchair himself, provided the wheelchairs for a secret pancake that had to be tried to find out those players who wanted to participate but did not have a wheelchair. what is was.

The games were officiated by USC Men’s Basketball team members Julian Jacobs and Jordan McLaughlin, Again, we had the entertainment of synchronized so they were quite familiar with the Galen Center Basketball Court and the rules and duties of a basketball swimmers, the UCSD men’s water polo team did a log referee! roll demo, the UCSD women’s water polo team gave us a wonderful kayak jousting demo, and of course The Swith With Mike gang in San Diego This is Zack’s second year of putting this event together, and he wants to continue the tradition, “I without relay races – including appropriately named teams a doubt plan to keep this going annually, potentially again for the third year the same weekend as Swim coupled with matching costumes and painted bodies. SWM recipients spoke about their individual journeys, With Mike. The two events go great back to back, and that weekend is far and beyond the weekend I most which allows all of us to understand why we are there and involved with Swim With Mike. look forward to all year!” (Continued overleaf)

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Satellites - continued Scoba Rhodes SUMMER 2016 (Continued from prvious page) University of Southern California SUMMER 2016 Masters in Social Work The San Diego Team has evolved in the last six years to be the best! Betsy and “Your gift allowed me to concentrate on my MSW education and Mike Thomas, Nancy Philips, Doan Hohmeyer, Celia Brewer, Laurie and Marcus Robinson, graduate with a 3.56 GPA and an induction into the National Jennifer McCallson, Jennifer Kayler and Jeffrey and Laurie Wood lead the troops of so many. Honor Society. It was so nice to be a member of this organization, UCSD has not only provided San Diego with a beautiful pool to hold this event, but has made our you can count on me as a donor for the years ahead.” Swim With Mike Pool Party and Celebration their own. Tyler Schilhabel Thank you goes out to all. No rest . . . let’s gear up for next year! Utah Valley University Sports Journalism and Business UCONN “Swim With Mike has given me my future and with that I will The 9th Annual Swim With Mike UCONN always work to excel and give back so that future recipients has a huge success and a great example receive the same opportunities that I have.” of the “ripple effect.” Organized entirely by UCONN’s SAAC (Student-Athlete-Ad- Nick Ekbatani visory-Committee) Executive Board, the University of Southern California support for Swim With Mike continues on Masters in Business Administration long after UCONN’s scholarship recipients “I can’t even begin to express how incredibly grateful I am for Joe Zinski and John Tartaglio graduated all that Swim With Mike and USC have done for me . . . I was able and moved on to their professional lives. to stay afloat and it can all be attributed to the pursuit of my Swim With Mike UCONN was first organ- MBA, so I want to express my deep gratitude to Swim With ized by Joe Zinski in partnership with the Swim With Mike UCONN's SACC Mike.” UCONN Honors Program and the UCONN Athletics SAAC. After Joe graduated, his sister Allie took over Nick Ekbatani the reins during her senior year. The first six years featured a water volleyball tournament and then in Ashley Schutz 2014 and 2015 the UCONN SAAC switched it up and hosted a Pong tournament using Vitamin Water University of Southern California instead of the more traditional beer. This year the event didn’t come together, however the UCONN Masters in Social Work SAAC continued its support with a substantial donation to Swim With Mike. Perhaps it was all of the “This organization has truly changed my life and for that I am forever grateful.” NCAA championships they were celebrating. UCONN plans to continue to support Swim With Mike in the future and is working on a fun and creative event for next year. Carlos Terrazas Roll with Cole – Mechanicsville, Virginia University of Arizona Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling The 3rd Annual Roll with Cole Sport-a-thon kicked off at 7:30am with a 5k through our Kings Charter “I am extremely grateful for granting me, once again, a Swim With Mike Scholarship for the school year of neighborhood. A slight drizzle threatened the day’s events, but over 100 runners, rollers and walkers 2015-2016. I know how difficult it was to choose recipients due to the increased amounts of applicants and participated nevertheless. By the time the participants crossed the finish for that I consider myself extremely lucky.” line, some smiling, some panting, the drizzle had ceased and the bulk of the action was ready to begin at 9am. Basketballs began dribbling, Greg Thomas volleyball and tennis balls were being served, yoga positions were Quinnipiac University assumed, and poolgoers got in the pool. The festivities ran on for hours; Business any who attended could visit the silent auction, check out our sponsors’ “I would not be able to attend this university without your help. There is no way to truly thank you, but I tents, get some stadium-style food, or just sit back and watch the other hope through this letter you may know how much your generosity is appreciated and what a real differ- teams while listening to music. There was competition and joy abound! ence you are making in my life.” Those events concluded around 2pm, at which point the quad rugby tournament began. Both quadriplegics and able-bodied participants took Tyler Vitiello turns in the “Mad Max” looking chairs slamming into each other. As soon Montclair State University as that event concluded, it was straight over to the cornhole tournament Psychology at 6pm. 36 teams registered to toss while hundreds of others attendees “Thank you all for letting me be a part of Swim With Mike – my education will get me to where I can SWM Scholarship Recipients Jacob opted to simply enjoy the delicious food and beverage and hear the live truly make an impact in this world. I plan to work alongside Swim W ith Mike to help so many that need Rainey, Cole Sydnor and Nick Balenger music play into the wee hours of the night. the help.”

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SUMMER 2016 Congratulations to our SUMMER 2016 2016 Swim With Mike Grads! Stanford ere are selected quotes from some of our recipients’ Senior The tenth Annual Swim H letters to our Swim With Mike family of donors, volunteers With Mike event at Stanford, and community. led by SWM scholarship recipient Cory Greenbaum who, along with his Drew Delis family, friends, fraternity brothers and Pepperdine University Stanford student-athletes raised over Law $6,000. Cory participated in Stanford’s “Swim With Mike is an extraordinary organization and we as a graduation ceremony in June and will finish family will be forever grateful for all the kindness and support up his courses in the fall. Cory is honored to they extended to Drew.” have been part of the Swim with Mike family SWM Scholarship Recipient Cory Greenbaum with Stanford Swimmers. and is excited to continue contributing in any way he can after graduation. He Patrick Ivison continues to be inspired by the scholarship recipients that he has met, and hopes to inspire future Swim University of Southern California With Mike scholarship recipients. Film and Television Production “Thank you to Swim With Mike and all of its supporters for UC Santa Barbara Patrick Ivison making this journey possible!” The 2nd Annual Gauchos Swim With Mike event held April 10 at UC Santa Barbara was a wild success, Ben Hulin taking in nearly triple the funds raised in the inaugural year. UCSB Athletics, the Student Athlete Advisory Bethal College Board and Recreation Departments, as well as many students, coaches and administrators put together the Masters of Arts in Teaching day that featured relay races, cannon ball contests, face painting and the first annual UC Challenge 100 x100s “I would not be where I am today without the strong help from Swim With Mike and their help getting me team relay featuring Gregg Wilson, 40-year coach of the Gaucho Swim programs. Under the direction of Kelly Walsh, an Athletic Trainer for UCSB and long-time member of the Swim With Mike Family, and sister back to school after my injury. Thank you so much.” of Jennifer for whom a SWM Scholarship is named, the Gauchos kicked off their fundraising season with the help of UCSB’s Intercollegiate Athletics Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the ICA student- Ezra McPhail athletes leading the charge. University of Minnesota-Duluth Marketing Swim With Mike was unanimously voted to be UCSB’s designated charity for their annual participation in the Big West Conference Coin Drive during the “I just want to thank you for all that you do and I hope to stay a part of SWM as an alum and help give back month of February. UCSB’s student-athletes teamed up with SWM scholar- to such a great organization that has given so much to me.” ship recipients Ryan Porteous and Aaron Loy to collect funds at all athletics competitions and campus events. The swim teams even took it upon them- Jorge Mendoza selves to take time out of their conference championship to run through California State University Los Angeles the crowd to pass out flyers and raise money for Swim with Mike. It turned Exercise Science out to be the Gauchos’ best effort to date in this charity fundraising com- “I am proud to have been brought into this unique family that I am lucky to be part of. I know that I will be petition. The Gauchos made new corporate friends this year hosting an event at M.Special Brewery and gaining sponsorships from Toyota of Santa part of this organization even after my academic goals are accomplished.” Barbara and Montecito Bank & Trust. Additionally, a new business in town, Mad Fitness, showed the Gauchos some love by dedicating every weekend Alex Pass charity spin class during the month of April to Swim With Mike, in addition University of Denver to entering a Mad Fitness team in the relay races held at the annual event. Law “Swim With Mike has been a wonderful organization to be part of for these past few years. I wish to carry on The Gauchos are looking forward to raising the bar for next year’s Swim With Mike event and are actively looking for new scholars to support at UCSB. the relationship I have developed with Swim With Mike for many years to come. One day I hope to be one of SWM Recipient Ryan Porteous the largest contributors to the scholarship fund so I can pay forward the kindness that was shown to me.” Any who attended any portion of the event would tell you – it was a success! with UCSB Mascot Ole

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SUMMER 2016 SUMMER 2016 36th Annual Swim With Mike at USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center

ur annual Swim With Mike event on April 2nd at USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center select Swim With Mike scholarship recipients and this year’s Claire Snow Volunteer of the Owas our most successful ever – thanks to ALL of you! Year Award winner, Mike Navarro.

The fun-filled day featured the Trojan Marching Band, Song Girls, Spirit Squad as well Swim With Mike Alum Kie Fujii (UC Berkeley, Molecular and Cell Biology 2015) and Patrick as our annual Swim With Mike Treasure Chest, Masters Swim Workout, Diving Ivison (USC Film and TV Production 2016) shared memorable highlights of the impact Exhibition, Football Player/Song Girl Relay, The Biggest Splash Contest, BBQ, Raffles that their Swim With Mike scholarship has had, and will forever have, on their personal, and Silent Auction. And it all added up to a great day to raise funds in support of our educational and professional lives. Mike Navarro gave us an outstanding viewpoint of physically challenged student athletes scholarship program. his very active – and most generous – volunteer support of our Swim With Mike program. Mike has been a gracious and significantly supportive volunteer and Board member, and Another highlight of the day was our recognition ceremony where we heard from we gratefully thank him!

University of Southern California head swim coach Dave Salo with his Swim Masters DJ Avi Bernard, Announcer Extraordinaire Patrick class, who swam both at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center event and later at the Uytengsu Stanton, Event Chair Mara Hunter Redden with event on the USC campus. audio-visual coordinator James Hawk. SWM Recipient Jack Jablonski (USC Annenberg 2018), SWM Alum Sarah Swim With Mike scholarship Recipient Zack Wentz (USC Economics Reinertsen (USC Broadcast Journalism 2000) with Mike Nyeholt. 2018) with the Trojan Knights, who ran the General Store.

Volunteer of the Year Mike Navarro, center back, with l-r The Swim With Mike El Toro High School planning Henry Navarro, scholarship recipient Alum Kie Fujii (UC SWM Alum Recipient and SWM Board member Nate committee presented a $16,000 check for Swim Berkeley, Molecular and Cell Biology 2015) Toby Navarro, Higgins (USC MBA 2015) with Brooke, SWM Board Mike Nyeholt turned out to be the smartest guy at the Uytengsu event in April – Athletic Director Pat Haden With Mike during the Uytengsu program – not bad Mike, Patrick Ivison (USC Film and TV Production 2016), member Bruce and Troy Furniss and a friend. he decided to hang out with the USC Song Girls. Naturally! at the Uytengsu event. for their first-ever SWM event! Becky Gramstrup, John Naber and Mike Nyeholt.

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SUMMER 2016 SUMMER 2016 36th Annual Swim With Mike at USC Uytengsu Aquatics Center

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