Fall Issue 2010

A LETTER FROM U.S. Olympians President “Space... the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. It’s five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before.” This tag line for the original Star Trek series doesn’t just betray my age...it also expresses the feeling I have regarding the new era seemingly ushered in by a rejuvenated Larry Probst, Chairman of the USOC Board of Directors and the newly hired CEO, Scott Blackmun. Granted, you need to be old to understand the Star Trek analogy but I feel comfort in knowing that even young Olympians can relate to “boldly going where no man has gone before” (in recent episodes of the franchise, the language states “where no one has gone before”). Over the last few months and culminating most recently with a very successful Olympic Assembly, the USOC has expressed a clear and unambiguous desire to embrace the U.S. Olympians as true partners in their mission. Never has there been such a change in attitudes since I’ve been actively involved with the USOC. We, in essence, seem to be breaking new ground with this new sense of partnership. I would like to thank Larry Probst and Scott Blackmun for their support for Olympians. At the Annual meeting of the U.S. Olympic Family, euphemistically called the Olympic Assembly, the U.S. Olympians voted to invite the Paralympians to join our Association. Yes, we expanded our tent to include athletes who have attended the Paralympic Games. Our Association is now known as the “U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association”. I want to thank my fellow officer, , for her leadership on the change. Caryn led a group of dedicated Olympians and Paralympians to rewrite our bylaws and constitution to allow the Paralympians to join our group. This is a monumental change in the Association that will leave a lasting legacy. Our organization can be the first to formally begin the integration process with our Paralympian brothers and sisters. Once again we tread on territory where no man (or “no one”) has gone before. In the true spirit of change our organization has been lifted to a special place with the USOC. Because of the inherent value of our members, Scott Blackmun has encouraged our group to start thinking like a Council, similar to the National Governing Body Council, the Multi-Sport Organization Council or the Athletes Advisory Council. Granted, we will not have the same benefits, but we will be significantly better off when it comes to working with the staff of the USOC to promote the mission of our organizations. Speaking of doing something that no one has done before, our World Fit program is getting bigger and better in 2011. Gary Hall, Sr. has been working tirelessly for years to turn World Fit into the premiere program of its kind. Nothing else can come close to its breadth and scope. If you have read early articles you know that this is the U.S. Olympians “signature” program. In fact, we hope to have a congressional resolution in support of the program soon. To top it off the USOC has committed to work with us to incorporate the program into their plans for the future! This is a major accomplishment of which we all should be very proud. Please visit www.worldfit.org and sign up to support the program. Even if you can’t serve a school in your area, please sign up! As you know, we are your democratically elected leadership, and every two years you get a say in who will lead this organization. Each Olympian is equally entitled to run for office, and I invite any interested parties to submit their application to be included on the November 2010 ballot. Contact Cindy Stinger for more information. This is the longest newsletter we have ever produced; and deservedly so. There is a lot to announce and a lot to brag about. In this issue there is something for everyone. As you peruse the following pages, I hope you will think long and hard about your level of participation and join your fellow Olympians and Paralympians in support of the Olympic Movement. You will find a list of Chapters and their Presidents in the back of the newsletter. Please contact your

THE nearest President and ask them how you can get involved. If there is no Chapter near you, please let me (willie.banks@ olympian.org) or Cindy Stinger know so we can help you get WILLIE BANKS SPEAKS TO OLYMPIC one started. With your help and support we will “boldly go ASSEMBLY TOWN HALL where no one has gone before!”

Official Newsletter of the ONCE AN OLYMPIAN ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN, U.S.Olympians NEVER FORMER NEVER PAST Olympian Kim Rhode Seeks Fifth Straight For USA

Add up all of her practice rounds over these long years and you may just get an incredible total of two million rounds of those familiar red Winchester AA shotgun shells. All of the hard work and practice rounds paid off for Kim in 1996 when she was selected to represent the USA in the event of International Double Trap for the Centennial in . At these Games, Kim’s event was one of the initial individual Olympic events that the U.S. was competing in and expectations were run- ning high that these Games would produce lots of medals for the USA. Kim did not disap- point.

She won the gold medal and spent the rest of these Games enjoying her Olympic experience. She returned home to sunny and was an overnight sensation even in laid back .

Immediately upon her return, she attended an “Olympic Celebration” event at the Holly- wood Bowl featuring the music of renowned composer John Williams. In the middle of his ISSF WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL SKEET WORLD CHAM- concert, Williams asked all of the more than 60 PIONSHIP MEDALISTS ARE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WEI Olympians who were present to stand. Then, NING, SILVER MEDALIST FROM CHINA, KIM RHODE, quite unexpectedly, he gave a personal salute to Kim and told her how proud he was of her gold GOLD MEDALIST FROM USA AND DANKA BARTEKOVA, medal performance. His comments brought a BRONZE MEDALIST FROM SLOVAKIA. thunderous ovation from the 19,000 music lov- ers who were in attendance.

If you visit Oak Tree Shooting Range or Prado Shooting Fast forward through time… Sports Park in the Southern California area on a given afternoon, you just may see a familiar sight. There with her Kim wins the bronze at the Games and follows this father Richard is America’s most decorated female Olym- up with yet another gold medal in 2004 in Athens. Then, pic shooter in history, four-time-Olympic medalist Kim despite the elimination of her event following these Games, Rhode. Day in and day out, Kim shoots under the watchful Kim keeps shooting and makes the complete transition that eye of her father and coach, Richard. is required from International Doubles Trap to the Interna- tional Skeet event. Kim burst onto the scene at the tender age of 13 when she won her first major international championship. Kim For ten months, Kim shoots every day just to qualify for turned her attention to the Olympic Games and qualified

THE the USA National Team in this new event. In her first world for the USA National Shooting Team in 1994. cup competition in Santa Domingo, Kim not only wins the

Fall Issue 2010 2 ONCE AN OLYMPIAN ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN, NEVER FORMER NEVER PAST gold medal but also breaks the world record with a score of 98.

As they say, the rest is history.

Kim earns the right to compete for the USA in Beijing and wins the silver medal for the USA in International Skeet.

As this story is being written, Kim has just returned home from Munich, Germany where she has won the World Championship. This victory combined with her other world cup wins earlier this year have now given her a command- ing lead in the race to represent the USA in the London Games in 2012. If she is able to win one more medal at the London Games, she will become the first American Olympian from an individual sport to ever medal in five consecutive Olympic Games.

Kim has been shooting competitively since the age of 10 (over 21 years). During these years of grueling training and the recoil of 500 to 1000 rounds of 12 gauge shotgun targets each day, Kim was advised that her career was probably over. She credits elite Physical Therapist Robert Forster with helping her to overcome injuries and strength training to bring her back up to an elite performance level which has enabled her successful career to continue.

Currently she is ranked #1 in the world.

As the London Games approaches (now less than two years away), Kim is appreciative of all the efforts of those around her who have empowered her with their continued support.

According to Rhode, “Quite simply, the costs for a competitive shooter are among the highest in the Olym- pic world. I could not succeed without the support of the Olympic Committee and USA Shooting as well as my amazing sponsors. In addition,” she continued, “There are those who are closest to me who are the ‘wind beneath my wings’ and they know how much I appreciate their supportive efforts.”

“You should never be afraid of losing because life’s hardest lessons can teach you how to win.” 3 -Nikki Stone, Olympian, Skiing An Open Letter To Olympian Steve Holcomb Steve:

I am not sure how or if this email will get to you but I wanted to at least make an attempt. Last weekend my youngest son and I attended the Celebrity Golf Tournament in Lake Tahoe and were fortunate enough to meet you after you finished golfing on Saturday. I am attaching a picture you took with my son. He thought maybe he should autograph it, just so you got an autograph after giving so much of your time to the fans that day. Kids are funny!

The reason for the email is two-fold; one, to thank you and let you know what an impression you made on my son and me, and two, to compliment you on your humble and giving spirit that came through loud and clear that day.

My two sons and I had planned to attend the golf tournament for the past year. We own a vacation home with friends about an hour away from Lake Tahoe. For months we had talked about going and checked the website regularly to see who would be competing. Then, a week before the tournament, my father passed away. He lives in Canada and it appeared we would not be able to make it. My son was very close to my father and shared a special bond with him so he felt no regrets if he had to miss the golf tournament, family came first. However, due to delays it was decided that my father’s service would be July 24. I decided to come back home to California after being in Canada for a week, and take the family up to Tahoe to help prepare for this week of funeral plans and the service. My oldest decided to pass on the tournament and the youngest still wanted to go. So we got up early Saturday morning and headed to the course. It was just what we both needed. The golf was great, the weather was fantastic and my son filled his hat with celebrity autographs, including yours.

Although I was incredibly impressed with Former Vice President Quayle, it was you Steve that made the biggest impression on my son and I. I realize there were numerous celebrities and star athletes there that day; however none displayed the humble, gentle, giving spirit that you did. My son and I spoke with Charles, Mr. Quayle, Ray Romano, Jonathon Ogden, Billy Joe Tolliver and several others. He got more than 20 autographs including golf balls autographed by Mr. Quayle and Herm Edwards. Yet, when the day ended, he felt the couple of minutes he spent with you was the best part of his day. For that I thank you.

Your thoughtfulness of bringing your medal for others to enjoy was such a great example. You see athletes today who are so self oriented they would not think to allow others to share in their success. I am sure that many gold medalists have their medals proudly displayed in expensive cases and never allow another to touch it let alone wear the thing out in public. I have to admit, I was surprised by how you shared so willingly. I watched as you put it on several young boys and girls and you smiled at their enthusiasm. You were genuinely excited to bring joy to their day. You were humble as I talked to you about your success and your sincerity was obvious as you talked about what an honor and thrill it was for you to participate in the event.

You brought light to my son and I at a time we were struggling with the loss of a loved one. You outshone all the other “celebrities” because of who you are, not what you have accomplished. I have no idea if your father is alive but he most certainly must be proud of the man you have become.

If you would like an autographed picture my son would be happy to oblige, just let us know:) Thank you for who you are and what you represent. You are a wonderful example for others.

Thank you from Gordon and Chad Medd. Forever Holcomb fans!

Gordon T. Medd CHAD MEDD AND STEVE HOLCOMB FOREVER A HOLCOMB FAN! THE Assistant Superintendent, Administrative Services Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District Roseville, CA 95747

Fall Issue 2010 4 www.teamusa.org Jennie Finch Retiring From Softball . “The opportunities that I’d be She went 32-0 in her junior year at Arizona, able to enjoy and appreciate and be a part of, it’s leading the Wildcats to the 2001 Women’s College been incredible.” World Series, and would win an NCAA record 60 straight decisions in a span of nearly two Finch won gold at the 2004 Olympics in Athens years. After that, she combined with the likes and silver four years later in Beijing. She of Fernandez and Cat Osterman to make up the helped the U.S. win its seventh straight world world’s best pitching rotation through the early championship. part of the decade.

Her final international games were the World Cup Coupled with her softball skills, Finch’s beauty of Softball in Oklahoma City. Her pro team, the and charm landed her a place in the mainstream. Jennie Finch had no trouble dazzling everyone. Bandits played its last regular-season She struck out some of the big leagues’ best hitters game on Aug. 22 at home in Elgin, Ill. in appearances on “This Week in ,” The striking blonde with the unhittable stuff was competed on “Celebrity Apprentice” and made the the most dominant softball pitcher of her time, “You go anywhere and you can say, `Jennie rounds on late-night talk shows. giving her sport a new face just as it was starting Finch,’ and people know who that is,” U.S. to really catch on in the United States. Finch won shortstop Natasha Watley said. “You say you play “She set the standard for softball in a new era of an NCAA championship in record-setting fashion softball, `Oh, do you know who Jennie Finch is?’ being able to be feminine and play this sport,” and added Olympic gold as she spread softball’s Well, yeah, actually she’s my teammate. U.S. outfielder Jessica Mendoza said. “Not that popularity in America and beyond. you have to be feminine to play this sport, but I “Just what she’s done for this sport is amazing.” see hundreds of thousands of little girls now with But after 10 years of playing internationally, glitter headbands, hot pink bats, makeup. I’m Finch is turning her focus to her family and her The 6-foot-2 Finch was much more than a pretty not saying that every girl has to do that but when desire to have more children. “This whole career face as she took over for Lisa Fernandez as I was growing up, it wasn’t like that. period is has been way more than I ever even imagined or the most recognized player in a sport enjoying remarkable.” dreamed,” Finch said in an interview with The growing popularity.

Allen Johnson Leaves Competitive By: Phil Hersh A few things have slipped by while I was working hurdler four times; No. 2-ranked seven times; on other things. I’m getting to them now one-by- and No. 1 in the United States nine times. Such one. consistent excellence over a long period is remarkable. Allen Johnson leaves competitive track and field at age 39. As the 2004 Olympics approached, I thought it was time to recognize -- and introduce -- Allen If hardly anyone noticed when the high hurdler Johnson in a long profile. I spent a day with him quietly announced his decision that would be in South Carolina, going to the track, the weight ironically fitting for a man whose career highlights room and his home. He gave me hours of his -- an Olympic gold medal and four outdoor time that day and willingly answered many fact- world titles -- always seemed to have been checking and clarification questions for a story overshadowed by something else. that was to appear in the Tribune the day of the Olympic final. tested positive for use of a banned substance, an When Johnson won the Olympic gold in 1996, the infraction that would keep her from running in the story of the night was ’ surprise win in Two days earlier, reigning world champion Olympics. Because my story hit the Internet first the for his record-tying ninth Olympic Johnson fell over the ninth hurdle in the second and the Tribune received credit for breaking the gold medal. round and did not advance to the Athens final. news, Edwards would be angry at me, which led What was to be a 2,000-word story never was to a testy exchange between us at the 2005 U.S. When he won a fourth world title in 2003, the finished or published. Championships. attention was on U.S. sprinter Kelli White’s positive drug test after White had won the 100 and The next time I saw Johnson, about a year later, Johnson witnessed the encounter and asked me 200 meters. I told him what had happened, by way of both what had prompted it. When I told him the back explanation and apology. He accepted both with story, he said, ``I’ll talk to her about it.’’ “It’s the story of my life,’’ Johnson told me after the grace that was a hallmark of his personality. winning that fourth world title. The next time I spoke to Edwards, it was as if He also intervened without being asked in another nothing had happened between us. Allen always was the “other’’ Johnson, much less issue. well known than Michael Johnson, the 200-400 All this is a roundabout way of giving Allen star whose career overlapped his. At the Olympic trials in 2004, I was first to report Johnson his due as a great athlete who also (all of five minutes ahead of the Washington was one of the good guys in the sport. His But in the 12 seasons from 1995 through 2006, Post and New York Times) that U.S. sprinter achievements should have been celebrated more. Allen Johnson was the world’s No. 1-ranked Torri Edwards, then Johnson’s girlfriend, had

“Excellence implies more than just being good… it implies a striving for the highest possible standards.” 5 -Dennis Conner, Olympian, Yachting 2010 OLYMPIC DAY IN THE UNITED STATES

Springfield, Missouri Archery coach Steve Cornell gave Jerry Clark, chair of the Springfield-Greene County Park Board, an Archery lesson at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Community Olympic Development Archery Program Park City, announcement on Olympic Day. Summit County celebrated Olympic Day at the Utah Olympic Park where more than 600 people attended the Flying Aces All-Stars Freestyle Show.

San Francisco, California Greg Massialas (Fencing, 1980, 1984 & 1988) held a fencing clinic in honor of Olympic Day.

Los Angeles, California Olympians (Diving, 1976, 1980, 1984 & 1988) and Genai Kerr (Water Polo, 2004) celebrated Olympic Day with an Official Proclamation Ceremony hosted by the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Sports Council.

Okinawa, Japan (Armed Forces Pacific) Camp Pendleton, California Rockwall, Texas Swimmer Mary DeScenza shared her The Bouncing Barrister, three-time Olympian and Members of the U.S. Olympians Southwest inspirational story with children at the Camp President of the U.S. Olympians Association, Chapter, including President Sammy Walker Foster Marine Corps Base. DeScenza moved Willie Banks (Athletics, 1980, 1984 & 1988) (Weightlifting, 1976), celebrated Olympic Day at with her husband, Charlie, an Officer in the inspired children to live a healthy and active the Rockwall YMCA with Mayor William R. Cecil. United States Marine Corps, to Okinawa where lifestyle. Banks lived near Camp Pendleton Twenty-one Olympic Alumni participated in the he is stationed. during his childhood. twenty Olympic Day celebrations held in Texas. Elgin, Illinois U.S. Olympians Midwest Chapter President, Diane Simpson (, 1988) celebrated Olympic Day at Spring Hill Gymnastics, a USA Gymnastics Member Club. Simpson was one of 40 athletes and coaches from her Olympians Chapter to participate in the region’s 52 Olympic Day events.

West Windsor, New Jersey Anna Goodale (, 2008) and members of the U.S. National Rowing Team participated in a comminity celebration in observance of Olympic Day.

Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Ron Littlefield read the Olympic Day proclamation as part of Chattanooga’s community-wide celebration on Olympic Day, which included a Paralympic cycling race. St. Simons Island, Georgia Cheryl Haworth (Weightlifting, 2000, 2004 & 2008) led an inspirational discussion on Olympic values with children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia. U.S. OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS ASSOCIATION LEAD THE CHARGE FOR 2010 OLYMPIC DAY! Thanks to the strong support of President, Willie Banks, To see more pictures from 2010 Olympic Day events in and the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association, the United States, please go to http://www.teamusa.org/ 2010 Olympic Day in the United States again set new about-usoc/olympic-day and click on the photo at the records internationally for the largest Olympic Day cel- top of the page. ebration in the world! Between June 19 – 27, approxi- Plans have already begun for the 2011 Olympic Day mately 90,000 individuals participated in 330 Olympic Celebration. Should you be interested in participating in Day events that were held in 220 cities nationwide. Marshall, Texas the 2011 Olympic Day festivities, please e-mail Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big 375 Olympians, Paralympians, coaches and hopefuls Keith Bryant at [email protected] or call Pines in front of their artwork from flag making participated as speakers and VIP guests at most of the 719-866-2238. and painting, which highlighted the Olympic value Olympic Day events held across the United States. That of respect. is 165 more than the 210 Olympians and Paralympians Thanks to all the Olympians, Paralympians, coaches who participated in the 2009 Olympic Day events. and hopefuls who participated this year and inspired America! We hope to see you again next year!

NATIONAL U.S. OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS 2010 VICE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SEEKING THREE NEW OLYMPIAN VICE-PRESIDENTS Campaign Requirements And Procedures Procedure for Candidates The 2010 election will be conducted via postal mail. 1) Obtain candidacy form from the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association office. Each candidate must have been selected onto a U.S. Olympic Team. 2) All forms must be completed and returned postmarked or faxed by November 5, 2010. As stated in the United States Olympians & Paralympians constitution 3) Platform statements must not exceed 100 words which may be ARTICLE V, Membership, Section 3. Only members who were Olympic or submitted with candidacy form. A head shot is optional. Paralympic competitors representing the United States shall be officers of the 4) All candidacy forms received by the November 5th postmark date will U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association (USOPA). be reviewed by the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association office for compliance. In order to be placed on the official ballot, all candidates’ candidacy forms 5) Official ballot and self-addressed envelope to be mailed November 19, must be received by Friday, November 5, 2010. All candidacy forms 2010 to all United States Olympians. postmarked on or before November 5, 2010 will be accepted. The USOPA 6) All ballots must be received with an “on or before postmark” of office will review all candidates for eligibility, legitimacy and compliance. December 10, 2010 to be counted. Candidates who have properly submitted their candidacy forms and are 7) Ballots will be counted on December 13, 2010. eligible and in compliance will have their names appear on the official ballot. 8) Results of election will be announced at an appropriate time by the This is a four year term. Candidates who submit candidacy forms incorrectly office of the USOPA. or are nominated after the November 5, 2010 postmark date may still run for a USOPA officer position, however, their name will not appear on the ballot. Election Procedures

1) Election Day is December 13, 2010. The Following Dates Are The Chronological Order 2) All ballots must be signed by the voting individual. In Which The Election Process Will Take Place 3) Space will be available for write-in votes (candidate must be eligible) 4) A Certified Public Accountant will tabulate the ballots (multiple counts – The call for nominations is emailed out to all U.S. October 11, 2010 to ensure accuracy). Olympians with an email address. The call for nominations will also be 5) The top three candidates receiving votes from higher to lower in mailed to all those Olympians requesting such mailings be sent via postal subsequent order will be named as Vice Presidents, 4, 5 and 6, and are service. (no email access) considered officers of the USOPA. 6) In the event of a tie the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Board of – All candidacy forms must be postmarked on or November 5, 2010 Directors and newly elected officers, not involved with the tie, will vote before November 5, 2010 to have candidate’s name appear on the official to break the tie. If a tie occurs after this procedure the President of the ballot. A candidate may be nominated after November 5, 2010, but the name U.S. Olympians & Paralympians will break the tie. will not appear on the official ballot. Eligible members may choose to “write- 7) The newly elected officers will be invited and expected to join the in” a candidate. USOPA President, Vice Presidents, 1, 2 and 3 at an appropriate time. November 5, 2010 – U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association office completes check on all candidates’ eligibility and compliance for official ballot.

November 19, 2010 – The United States Olympic Committee’s (USOC) Olympians & Paralympians Association office mails out official ballot and Candidacy forms should be mailed or faxed to: self-addressed envelope to all Olympians. Cynthia E. Stinger, Manager December 10, 2010 – In order for the vote to count, the Certified Public Accountants must have received a mail-in ballot postmarked no later than U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association December 10, 2010. United States Olympic Committee December 13, 2010 – Ballots will be tallied by the Certified Public 1 Olympic Plaza Accountants. Colorado Springs, CO 80909-5760 December 17, 2010 – New Officers-elect will be announced officially by the office of the USOPA. FAX: 719-866-4643 U.S. OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS Vice Presidential Officers Election-2010 CANDIDACY APPLICATION FORM U.S. OLYMPIANS & PARALYMPIANS-MISSION STATEMENT The U.S. Olympians and Paralympians will foster the Olympic Spirit in each community, motivate and encourage youth, develop camaraderie and honor those who have shared the unique experience of representing their nation at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Date: ______

First Name: ______

M.I.: ______

Last Name: ______

Olympic Year(s): ______

Olympic Sport (s): ______

U.S. Olympians Association Membership Number: ______(optional)

□ I understand that I must have my Candidacy Application Form as well as a 100 words or less platform statement/ head shot (optional) to the U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association office on or before end of business, Friday, November 5, 2010 . This is a four year term and we are seeking three new Olympian Vice-Presidents.

All Candidate Application Forms will be reviewed by the Manager, U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association (USOPA) for compliance and legitimacy. The office of the USOPA will be receiving Candidate Application Forms until November 5th in order to have your name appear on the official ballot. All write-in candidates not previously identified must meet the same criteria before assuming any office. Fax or mail to: Cynthia E. Stinger, Manager U.S. Olympians & Paralympians Association 1 Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909 FAX: 719-866-4643

Signed:______Date:______Candidate Fall Issue 2010 Issue Fall

THE 10 Coach and his legendary TSU Tigerbelles, S W On August E 27, 2010 in N Nashville, Tennessee, home E of H T N I YMPIAN ALA YMPIAN, N A I T P S M PA LY O R E N V A E N S R LWAY E A M R N O A F I P R M E V LY E O N N A E C N O IN GAMES OLYMPIC 1960 THE REMINESE ADAMS LUCINDA AND TEMPLE ED COACH JOHNSON, RAFER Changed The World,” moderated a discussion among bestselling book “Rome 1960, The Olympics That Pulitzer Prize-winner David Maraniss, author of the Lucinda Williams-Adams (New Zealand) Gordon McKenzie -Slater -Pennyman -Meadows Coach Ed Temple (Kim Rudolph) of attended, as did the sister (Charlene Rudolph) and niece Summer Olympics in Rome. Thirteen 1960 Olympians was the site of a 50th anniversary celebration of the 1960 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI . Attendees were: Thomas, who traded in her figure skates for a career as an known as Doctor Debi Thomas, miracle worker. For figure skater. But in Kathmandu, Nepal, she’ll soon be She’s known around the world as Debi Thomas, champion provide free orthopedic surgery in Nepal. Doctor Debi Thomas’ New Walk of Life has racial reconciliation as part of its core mission. Nashville), a school that has “adopted” Coach Temple and New Hope Academy in Franklin, Tenn. (just outside of raised funds for the Ed Temple Scholarship Fund at by more than 300 people and held at the Hutton Hotel, coach also attended a private brunch. The event, attended Temple’s former Tigerbelles spanning his entire career as the evening’s entertainment. Olympians and dozens of Boston, Lance Larson, Olympians recent visit to Chicago. “It relies on women to be the head “Nepal is a very, very, poor country,” Thomas said during a lives of many women. female physicians to perform surgeries that will change the orthopedic surgeon, is heading to Nepal with a group of Rafer Johnson, Lucinda Williams, Ralph and Coach Ed Temple as part of - New group to ALUMNI NEWS

of the household. And if they can’t function, it’s highly detrimental to the WOGO’s ambitious mission? To empower, educate and engage women and whole family unit.” their larger community in developing countries around the world.

Thomas, 43, is a member of the Women Orthopedist Global Outreach In Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world, few people have access (WOGO), a nonprofit volunteer organization that provides free surgical to health care. According to WOGO, most Nepalese live on less than $1 a treatment in developing countries for people who would otherwise have day, and most -- 81 percent -- derive their livelihood from agriculture. no access to treatment for arthritis or other bone and joint conditions. She describes the mission as one of “women helping women.” “While our mission is to provide care for anyone in need, we have a special connection to the plight of women in under-served communities due to the “The surgeries we do are life-changing,” she said. “We can take patients that physicality of their lives and the lack of access to orthopedic care,” said haven’t walked and make them fully functional again. In Nepal we hope to Thomas, who completed a fellowship at the Dorr Arthritis Institute in Los empower the women, educate local doctors and engage young girls to show Angeles after graduating from Northwestern Medical School in 1997. them what girls can do [in life].” On her Facebook page, Thomas once wrote that she would like to change the A former world champion and U.S. national champion, Thomas became world. In response, some people felt compelled to chide her. What kind of the first African-American athlete to medal in the Winter Olympics, earning fantasy world was she living in? Didn’t she know that you can’t change the bronze in Calgary in 1988. Although her skating career is part of her past world? To which Thomas responded Well, yes you can. now, she’ll happily trade on its legacy. “I’m not into politics,” she said. “I’m into helping people. That’s why I went “Hopefully I can use that past recognition to bring WOGO’s message to a into medicine. We’re a group of five women who are inspired, and we want different level,” she said. to make a difference. Once you start, there’s no telling where you can go.”

WOGO was formed after its founding members attended a conference on Aloha/1980 Volleyball Reunion arthritis, a disease that disproportionately affects women. Submitted by: Laurel Brassey Iversen After a year of planning, Laurel Brassey Iversen, welcomed some of her teammates from the 1980 United States Women’s Olympic Volleyball Team to beautiful Kaua‘i for our 30th Anniversary Reunion at the end of May. This tropical paradise which is my island home became the backdrop for a week of more great memories to add to the all the years we played together for USA.

The gals; Debbie Landreth Brown, Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli, Sue Woodstra, Diane McCormick French, Laurel Brassey Iversen and husbands Dennis Brown, Rick French and Dave Iversen stayed right on the beach in a fabulous location and enjoyed Kaua‘i Aloha spirit as we were hosted at private homes and wonderful local restaurants. We had paddle surfing lessons, hiked in Waimea Canyon, sailed the Na Pali Coast of Kaua‘i, and were treated to a fantastic Reunion Reception and Dinner at the Bay Cottage at Kukui‘ula. There was also a fair amount of shopping and just relaxing together and reminiscing on our incredible experiences. There were many highlights during the week, but here are just a few.

1980 UNITED STATES WOMEN’S OLYMPIC VOLLEYBALL TEAM

“Whatever the pace, wherever you go, follow your heart and your soles will follow.” 11 - Samuelson, Olympian, Athletics ALUMNI NEWS

Diane McCormick French brought her 1980 Descente Our major contributing sponsors were USA Volleyball, Wool Travel Suit and wore it to the airport when we picked Aloha Volleyball Region, Kukui‘ula Development up the others. It still fits her! Laurie Flachmeier Corbelli Company (Hawaii), Merriman’s Restaurant, Executive modeled her playing uniform complete with “bun huggers” Board Sports, and numerous small businesses and private sans elastic. Laurie and Sue Woodstra demonstrated their individuals. expert Kayak techniques at Kalapaki Bay. One night, sitting under the stars on the lanai, Debbie Landreth Brown Dave Ashleigh (waterpolo, 1964, ‘68) produced one of her trip journals from 1979 and read her Dave taught math and coached water polo & at interpretations of the 6-week trip we took to S. Korea, Modesto Junior College for 34 years; he retired in 2004. Japan, Peru and Brazil. She truly had a wonderful time and The college just named the new swimming pool complex we all wondered if we had been on the same trip. I think the “Dave Ashleigh Aquatics Center”. The dedication took we laughed the hardest that night listening to her read that place on May 22. Over 250 athletes and friends attended. journal. I tried very hard all week to produce the “Perfect In addition to the naming of the center, there are 4 yearly Mai Tai”. I think by the 6th day I had the optimal recipe. scholarships given to deserving Modesto athletes. Men It’s a tough bunch to please. Our favorite place was & women’s water polo and men & women’s swimming definitely that lanai looking out at the ocean. We had our will receive a scholarship each year. This was all done coffee there, talked there and enjoyed the sunset and the without Dave’s knowledge and is the first facility in the full moon and stars there also. It was a magical spot. history of the oldest Junior College in California to have an instructor’s name. Dave said, “This is such an amazing Much of our week revolved around the planning and honor.” execution or our clinic for local Club volleyball athletes and coaches. 85 youngsters from ages 8-17 attended along Carissa Gordon Gump (weightlifting, 2008) with nine coaches. The participants were put through drills New Adecco position announced. Carissa Gump, by the Olympians and even enjoyed a couple of fast-paced 2008 Olympian (Weightlifting), is now working as an demonstrations….We paid the price for that the next day! Athlete Liaison for Adecco to optimize the Team USA The Kaua‘i kids and their families put on a local style pot Career Program and Athlete Career Program. Carissa’s luck dinner for the Olympians and had a chance to “talk responsibilities include identifying, recruiting and story” with us. They each received posters, stickers and placing Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American Sport Elite autographed mini volleyballs and Diane showed them athletes, and hopefuls for employment by enlisting the job highlights from Beijing. Diana Cole from USAV was placement assistance services of Adecco, a U.S. Olympic instrumental in helping to organize the clinic. Committee Sponsor. If interested in career development or job placement assistance, Carissa can be contacted at 719- The Reunion Dinner was held at the end of the week in a 866-4035 or [email protected]. marvelous location at sunset. The catered dinner and live Hawaiian music by Malani Bilyeu was the perfect ending Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games bronze to an awesome week. Diane had put together a wonderful medalists Jordan Malone and JR Celski and Olympian slide presentation of our past exploits. We were joined and IOC member in the United States Angela Ruggiero by some of our sponsors and other guests and stayed late participated in a conversation regarding their experiences around the fire pit enjoying the stars. in Vancouver at an event on June 10 held at the Foundation. The conversation was moderated by sports journalist Alan THE

Fall Issue 2010 12 www.teamusa.org ALUMNI NEWS

Abrahamson. More than 40 Olympians who competed in the Olympic Newell and assistant coaches and . From Games and Olympic Winter Games between 1936 and 2010 were in this team, West, Bellamy, Lucas and Newell have been inducted into the Hall attendance. They were joined by members of the Southern California of Fame and rank among the lionized college stars of all time. Haldorson Speedskating Association (SCSA) and their families. Jordan Malone and JR also earned a gold medal in 1956 with the U.S. Olympic Team that included Celski trained at the SCSA with Coach Wilma Boomstra. The Foundation the legendary and K.C. Jones, as well as one of Haldorson’s has supported the efforts of the SCSA since 1989. The event is one of teammates at the University of Colorado, Bob Jeangerard. Burdie won several activities being held this year to celebrate the LA84 Foundation’s All-American honors at CU on a 1955 Buff team that lost to eventual 25th Anniversary of operation. champion San Francisco and Russell in the NCAA semifinals, 62-50, but took third place by whipping Iowa, 75-54. He won his two Olympic Team Katherine Reutter, who won a silver and bronze medal in the Vancouver berths as a member of the old Phillips 66 Oilers of the National Industrial 2010 Olympic Winter Games, was also a participant. League in an Olympic selection process that used a formula of college players, AAU players and armed service players at the time. He averaged 8.9 points per game for the ’56 Olympic Champions and 3.9 per I N H O N O R game for the iconic 1960 team. His two Olympic Teams went 16-0, winning gold medals in championship tilts against the , 89-55 in 1956 (basketball, 1956, ‘60) in and by 81-57 over the USSR in 1960. His Colorado No. 22 By: Mike Moran is one of just two retired basketball jerseys in CU history, and he left quite One of our Colorado Springs own had the moment of a lifetime in an imprint in the school’s basketball annals. The Austin, Minn., native still Springfield, Massachusetts. Who, you ask? Let me tell you in case you holds four school rebounding records some five decades after his CU playing haven’t been keeping tabs on what goes on in our town, or engulfed in the days, including the most in a half (21), game (31) and season (346). As a media-driven Tebow Time; 40-year Colorado Springs resident Burdette senior in 1954-55, he led the Buffs to the Big Seven title by averaging 23.9 Haldorson was inducted on into the prestigious Naismith Memorial points per game, and was also named as a first-team All-American. Burdie Basketball Hall of Fame, along with his teammates on the preeminent 1960 then went on to have a brilliant career in the National Industrial Basketball United States Olympic Team that won the gold medal in Rome a half- League as a member of the , the team entry for the Phillips century ago. This is arguably the real “Dream Team” in Olympic basketball Petroleum Company, which hired him after his playing career. Later, he annals. Check out the roster - , , , moved to Colorado Springs to form his own gas and oil company and has , , , , Burdette Haldorson, been here ever since. , , , Adrian Smith, head coach Pete

DAVE ASHLEIGH, CARISSA GORDON GUMP AND BURDETTE HALDORSON

“Success is a journey, not a destination.” 13 -,Olympian, Athletics ALUMNI NEWS

Sammy Lee (diving, 1948, ‘52) American legend,” Council member LaBonge said. “We Council members Tom LaBonge and Herb Wesson joined dedicate this square to Dr. for his lifetime of numerous Olympians and members of the community to remarkable achievements.” dedicate a square in the cultural center of Koreatown to Dr. Sammy Lee. The 90-year-old Olympian and pillar of David Simon added, “Dr. Sammy Lee is a great Olympic the community also received commendatory proclamation champion whose contributions to the world of sport have from the Los Angeles City Council declaring August 5, continued for decades since he last stepped out of an 2010 “Dr. Sammy Lee Day.” David Simon, President of Olympic pool. I am sure he will continue his inspirational the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games work on behalf of the Olympic Movement.” (SCCOG) and Barry Sanders, Chairman of SCCOG and President of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, were Open Letter of Thanks… also present. From four time Olympic diver Juno Irwin.

“Dr. Sammy Lee is a great American,” Councilmember You know....Sammy is responsible for my being a diver. Wesson said. “He has honored America throughout a I believe it might have been in 1944 or 1945 that my lifetime of service to his community and his nation. brother and I was swimming at the Los Angeles exposition Our tribute to him is a small token of appreciation for swim stadium. his many contributions, and his distinguished record of achievement.” We were messing around on the diving board like a lot of divers. Sammy talked to us and gave us some pointers “We’re here today to honor a celebrated Olympian and an on our diving. He worked with us. Then he said, “Do you THE

L-R CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEMBER MICHELLE PARK STEELE, DR. KEE WAN HA, OLYM- PIAN FRANK GORMAN, COUNCILMAN HERB WESSON, JR. DR. SAMMY LEE, COUNCILMAN TOM LABONGE, LA SPORTS COUNCIL PRESIDENT DAVID SIMON, DIVER, BUSINESSMAN JUNG KIM

Fall Issue 2010 14 Citius, Altius, Fortius...swifter, higher, stronger. ALUMNI NEWS

want to go up on the 16 ft. platform.?” I said ,”Sure.” Then he showed us At the 1988 Seoul Games, she set world records in the 400-meter freestyle how to hold our hands to enter the water. He said to me, “ I have a friend and 1,500-meter freestyle that stood for 18 and 19 years respectively. Her who is a coach, Bud Lyndon.” Long story short that was the beginning of world record in the 800-meter freestyle, which she set in 1989, was not Juno’s diving career. Thanks Sammy! broken until the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Announces 2010 Class of Inductees This 28th Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was held at the San Diego The Oregon Sports Hall of Fame & Museum has announced its 2010 class of Marriott Hotel and Marina. inductees. According to Mike Rose, executive director, the Hall of Fame will induct 8 new members to join over 325 prior inductees. The presentations Annual Southern California Induction Ceremony were made at the Multnomah Athletic Club on September 28, during the The Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame (formerly African American Ethnic 31st annual induction ceremony. Sports Hall of Fame) took place on August 27, 2010 at the Playboy Mansion.

This year’s class includes Nick Robertson, one of the most successful Congratulations to this year’s inductees. Oregon high school basketball coaches of all time; Brian Henninger, Class of 2010: USC golf All American and PGA professional; Joy Selig Petersen, OSU Jim Brown (Football) championship gymnast and NCAA record holder; Paul Brothers, OSU Anita DeFrantz (Rowing) outstanding quarterback and CFL professional; Nate Jones, Pac-8 football Bruce Jenner (Track & Field) and basketball referee and NFL referee; Dwight Jaynes, veteran newspaper Eddie Futch (Legendary Boxing Trainner) sports journalist, radio and television sports commentator and author; Terry Dr. Sammy Lee (Diving) Porter, former Trail Blazers great and NBA coach; and Olympian Jack Elder (luge, 1972), Special Contribution to Sport. Other Honorees: Leigh Steinberg (Lifetime Sports & Entertainment Award) Each year the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame helps preserve Oregon’s rich Billy Mitchell (Youth Education Award) sports heritage through its recognition of outstanding Oregon athletes and Robert Mariani (Community Support Award) special contributors to sport. Xavier Mitchell (Art & Cultural Award) Lou Fusaro (Community Support Award) (swimming 1988, ‘92, ‘96) Five-time Olympic medalist and swimmer Janet Evans was among 12 Anita DeFrantz (rowing, 1976, ‘80) people inducted in San Diego into the National Federation of State High Olympian and United States Olympic Committee Board member Anita School Association’s National High School Hall of Fame. DeFrantz was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame® on July 6. Considered by many to be greatest long-distance swimmer in American high DeFrantz joins former Academic All-America® football selections Dr. school history, Evans set 10 CIF Southern section records and two national James Kovach, ‘78 of the University of Kentucky and Dewey Selmon, records while swimming for El Dorado High in Placentia from 1987 to ‘76 of the University of Oklahoma and former Academic All-America® 1989. basketball standout Adonal Foyle, ‘99 of Colgate University as this year’s inductees into the College Sports Information Directors of America Her record in the 200-yard individual medley stood for five years. Her 500- (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Hall of Fame®. yard freestyle time of 4 minutes, 37.30 seconds was the standard until 2008. Evans, 38, formerly of Ladera Ranch, competed in the 1988, 1992 and 1996 The four honorees will join 108 previous inductees as members of the Summer Olympics, winning five medals including four golds. In her career, CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame®, which was created in 1988. she held seven world records and 45 U.S. titles.

“No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you.” 15 -Wilma Rudolph, Olympian, Athletics ALUMNI NEWS

“The CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame® in 1986. She is the first African-American and the first represents everything we all believe college athletics can be American woman to serve on the IOC. DeFrantz is the and the Class of 2010 certainly lives up to that standard,” chair of the IOC’s Women and Sport commission and the said Justin Doherty of the University of Wisconsin, the IOC Athletes’ Commission Election Committee. She also 2009-10 CoSIDA President. “These four individuals serves as a member of the IOC’s Juridical Commission, the were high achievers as student-athletes and continue to Finance Commission and the Coordination Commission make a positive impact on society to this day. They each for London 2012 Olympic Games. DeFrantz is vice add something special to the Academic All-America Hall president of FISA, the International Rowing Federation and of Fame® and CoSIDA is very proud to recognize their she was inducted into the National Rowing Hall of Fame extraordinary contributions.” on March 20, 2010 in Mystic Seaport.

On an annual basis, the Academic All-America Hall of Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees Fame® honors a worthy candidate whose college career The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2010 induction preceded the Academic All-America® program in their weekend honored the Class of 2010, Leta Andrews, particular sport. The eligible candidate’s academic and Teresa Edwards, , Gloria Ray, Teresa athletic achievements must meet minimum criteria for Weatherspoon and , for a lifetime of selection to the Academic All-America Hall of Fame®. contributions to women’s basketball.

Former Connecticut College rowing star Anita DeFrantz is The weekend began with a private welcome reception, this year’s honorary inductee. She earned her Bachelor’s which included the unveiling of the Class of 2010 exhibits degree in Political Philosophy in 1974. She also earned in the “Hall of Honor,” dinner with family and friends, a a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in basketball presentation for the Class of 2010 inductees, 1977 while training at the prestigious Vesper Board Club. and a storytelling session led by ESPN personality and After graduation, DeFrantz was the team captain and a WBHOF Board Member Debbie Antonelli. The following bronze medalist for the first U.S. Women’s Rowing team day the Hall of Fame hosted its second annual “4Kay” in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. She competed Run/Walk in memory of the late Women’s Basketball on every national team from 1975 to 1980. DeFrantz was Hall of Famer and former North Carolina State women’s elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) basketball coach . More than 300 people laced THE

ANITA DEFRANTZ, TERESA EDWARDS, AND REBECCA LOBO

Fall Issue 2010 16 Olympic Ideals: Vision, Focus, Commitment, Persistence, Discipline ALUMNI NEWS

up their shoes for a good cause, the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Class Several of those gymnasts went on to win medals at the 1984 Olympics, of 2010 Inductees and board members were on hand to enjoy the festivities. boycotted by the Soviet Union in Los Angeles, but not all the ‘80 Olympians Coach , Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and WBHOF board made the next team. member, spoke about the meaning of the event and Susan Yow, Kay Yow’s sister, officially got the race started. USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said a tribute is long overdue.

The weekend concluded with the 2010 induction ceremony at the Tennessee “A lot of them went on to give a lot back to the sport,” Penny said. “They’re Theatre, where the Class of 2010 received the coveted Eastman Award still giving back to the sport. I’m not sure they’ll ever be over the fact that and was officially inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. the boycott cost them a huge opportunity, but it didn’t keep them from doing A pre-induction reception, which included a silent auction, was followed great things in the Olympic movement.” by the ceremony, which featured the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and the WBHOF choir. The evening ended with a post-induction celebration. USA Gymnastics also announced a new $50,000 prize pool for men’s Among those in attendance were Mary Costa, Brett Grimm, David Duncan, gymnasts, to be awarded to top finishers at nationals. Mintha Roach, Pam Fansler, Dave and Carol Conklin, Joan Cronan, Chris The money will help make up for some of the training opportunities lost and Lori Fuller, Connecticut coach , Rutgers coach C. with cutbacks in NCAA programming and the loss of Chevron, which used Vivian Stringer, Georgia coach , and Tennessee coach Pat to be a major sponsor of men’s gymnastics. Summitt. 2000 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team received Olympic medals in 1980 Gymnast Honored Hartford The American gymnasts who could not attend the Moscow Olympics were The U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics announced that the honored this past summer, the 30th anniversary of the U.S. boycott of the 2000 U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team was awarded their Olympic 1980 Games. Members of the team include , Julianne team bronze medals at a special ceremony in Hartford, Conn., in conjunction McNamara, , , and Ron with the 2010 Visa Championships. The medal ceremony took place at Galimore. the XL Center, just prior to the start of the first day of the senior men’s gymnastics competition. Anita DeFrantz, one of the USA’s International They were honored in August at national championships, which took place Olympic Committee members, was present to represent the IOC at the in Hartford, the home of an invitational friendship meet in 1980 that was set ceremony. up for countries that joined the United States in its boycott.

TERESA WEATHERSPOON, KATHY JOHNSON, AND JULIANNE MCNAMARA

“I learned to win by learning to lose.” 17 -, Olympian, Greco-Roman ALUMNI NEWS

“We are excited about recognizing this athletic Gardner was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of accomplishment,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Okla. Gymnastics. “Hosting the medals ceremony with our national championships allowed the USA Gymnastics Gardner is a 1993 All-American for the Huskers and a two- family to be a part of the affair. Every athlete dreams about year letterman after transferring from Ricks Junior College being awarded an Olympic medal.” in Idaho.

The members of the 2000 U.S. Women’s Olympic The defining moment of his career came in the 2000 Gymnastics Team are: , , Olympics, when he shocked the sports world with a 1-0 , , and overtime victory over ’s Alexander Karelin in the . Morgan White was named to the team Greco-Roman super heavyweight gold-medal match. but withdrew just prior to the Games due to injury, and Alyssa Beckerman was the alternate. Karelin is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and had not lost an international match in 13 years. “The USOC supports USA Gymnastics’ efforts to create a meaningful ceremony for the women’s gymnastics team,” said Scott Blackmun, CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee. “We are glad that gymnastics fans in MILESTONES Hartford and around the country were able to honor the achievements of these women.” Amanda Borden (gymnastics, 1996) and husband, Brad have a new baby boy, Brody born on July 1. He joins 3 The IOC recently stripped China of its 2000 Olympic year old Kennedy. Games women’s team bronze medal because one of its athletes did not meet the age requirement. Iris Zimmerman (fencing, 2000) married Kevin Nowack on June 19, 2010 at the Rochester Museum (wrestling, 2000, ‘04) and Science Center. Kevin has been a national strong Olympic hero and former Nebraska Cornhusker Rulon man champion and competed in the 2005 & 2007 World’s strongest man competition for 105k. THE

BART CONNER, PETER VIDMAR AND RULON GARDNER

Fall Issue 2010 18 ONCE AN OLYMPIAN ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN, NEVER FORMER NEVER PAST ALUMNI NEWS

Ellen Wilson Deerman (, 2000, ’04) and husband, Allen welcomed Also surviving is a niece, Polly Broga Geer of Maryland and a cousin, their son, Colton Allen Deerman, on January 21, 2010. Weighing 7lbs 13 oz Priscilla Beardsley Glenn of Atlanta, GA. and 20 1/2 inches long. Jim was a member of the USA bobsled team that won a silver medal in the (athletics, 1980, ’84, ’88) married Gianluca Zilla on June 19, 1952 Olympics. He also won World Championships in 1949 and 1950. He is 2010. recognized in the Rome, NY Sports Hall of Fame.

Jim was President and Chairman of the Board of his professional society. The American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS, Intl.) before he retired IN MEMORIAM and moved to Black Mountain, NC. ASIS is an organization of 40,000 professional security practitioners world-wide. He was a member of St. James Atkinson (bobsled, 1952) James Episcopal Church. Contributions can be made to St. James Episcopal James Neil Atkinson passed away on July 31, 2010 at the age of 81. Jim was Church of Black Mountain, NC Foundation or Four Season’s Hospice of born in Deland, FL but was reared through his teen years in Rome and Lake Flat Rock, NC. Placid, NY. He was a son of Clarence John and Eleanor Graham Atkinson. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force as a Special Agent, Office of Special Raymond Curtis Brinkman (basketball Paralymian) Investigations, worked at Bell Aircraft, Sylvania, TRW System Group, Raymond Curtis Brinkman 56, of Pleasant Grove, formerly of Shelley, Xerox Corporation and Northern Electric (Montreal, Canada). He retired as Idaho passed away September 7, 2010 at his home. Curtis is survived by Director of Corporate Security for Johnson and Johnson Worldwide. These his mother Karma Reed Brinkman, two sisters Ellen (Craig) Garrett and positions involved extensive domestic and international travel. Katherine (Rogers) Smith, three children Greg (Lydia), Lorian (Marcum) Bouche, Jenna (Joe) Brown and four grandchildren, Asher, Mekhai, Tregan Jim is survived by Kathryn Hawley Atkinson, his wife of 43 years whom he and Kaia. said is “the most loving and caring person one could hope for.” He is also survived by three wonderful children and their spouses. James Scott (Donna) At 16 Curt was a 6’ 7” tall athlete with dreams of playing professional Atkinson, Deborah Lynn Atkinson (Sam) Schillaci and Jody Ann Atkinson basketball. (Roger) Swingle, and four grandchildren; James N. Atkinson, Jeffrey S. Atkinson, Trevor S. Swingle, Emma H. Swingle all of upstate New York. On a sunny day in 1970 in Shelley, Idaho, Curt climbed a power pole on the

ELLEN WILSON’S SON COLTON, IRIS ZIMMERMAN AND HUSBAND KEVIN, CAROL LEWIS AND HUSBAND GIANLUCA

“If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never change the outcome.” 19 -, Olympian, Basketball ALUMNI NEWS

farm where he worked, and was electrocuted by a 72,000- He held membership in the National Speakers Association, volt power line. The electric shock stopped his heart and Utah State Rehabilitation Council, the association his body plummeted to the ground. The impact of the fall of Supervision and Curriculum Development, the restarted his heart. International Reading Association. Curt was the Executive Director of the Utah Handcycling Team. He was listed in As he regained consciousness and looked down at his legs the National Distinguished Service Registry. he cried, “I’ll never walk again.” Curt was a tremendous success and inspiration to others After several months in the hospital and in rehabilitation, and he emphasizes the power we have within ourselves and Curt turned his athletic ambitions elsewhere. He organized what we can accomplish when we “Command ourselves in and competed in wheelchair marathons, setting numerous Greatness.” world records, winning Paralympic medals, five of them gold, and countless other medals in National Harold Connolly (athletics, 1956, ‘60, ‘64, ‘68) competitions. Harold Connolly, 79, who won a 1956 Olympic gold medal in the hammer throw and who remains the most dominant In 1980, Curt became the first person in a wheelchair to American in the history of his sport, died August 18 at win the Boston Marathon, finishing 17 minutes ahead of an exercise gym in Catonsville, MD. He collapsed while the first runner. And, after a 10-year break, he came back to riding a stationary bicycle, his son Adam Connolly said, set a new wheelchair world record. Curt was an educator, and died of a heart attack. He had lived in Catonsville since motivational speaker, and author of the best-selling books February. The Will to Win and Still Winning/Lessons for Life. Mr. Connolly held the world record in his event for nine Curt held multiple degrees, including Associates in consecutive years, 1956 to 1965, setting six separate world Business, Bachelors in Psychology and Education, and a marks during that time. After his athletic career, he became Masters in Educational Leadership. a top official with in Washington and was an assistant track coach at Georgetown University. THE

JAMES ATKINSON AND RAYMOND CURTIS BRINKMAN

Fall Issue 2010 20 www.teamusa.org ALUMNI NEWS

After winning his gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956, Mr. stimulants,” he testified. “I knew any number of athletes on the 1968 Connolly became involved in a much-publicized Cold War romance with Olympic team who had so much scar tissue and so many puncture holes in Olga Fikotová, a gold-medal-winning discus thrower from . their backsides that it was difficult to find a fresh spot to give them a new Their engagement became nothing less than an international cause celebre, shot.” as their efforts to marry were repeatedly rebuffed by the Czech bureaucracy and Fikotová was denounced as a traitor in her Communist-controlled Without apologizing for his use of steroids, Mr. Connolly said the muscle- country for wanting to marry an American. Mr. Connolly sought assistance building drugs should not be used by young athletes and were no substitute from the U.S. State Department and traveled to Prague in 1957 to make a for skill, training and competitive fire. personal appeal to the Czech president for permission to marry. “I can’t think of another athlete of his stature who has talked as openly about When the marriage finally took place, more than 30,000 people attended steroids,” his son Adam, who was once the No. 3-ranked hammer thrower their public ceremony in Prague. Olga Connolly went on to compete for the in the United States, said Saturday. “His general view was that the health United States in four Olympic Games before they were divorced in 1974. consequences were overblown, and that if you’re an adult there’s nothing wrong with it.” Mr. Connolly, meanwhile, maintained his pre-eminence as a hammer thrower for years. He participated in the Olympics in 1960, 1964 and 1968 Mr. Connolly’s tolerant stance was contradicted by that of his second wife, and continued to throw the hammer in international track meets until his late Pat Winslow Connolly, a three-time Olympian who later coached gold- 40s. He was one of the first world-class athletes to admit to using steroids, medal-winning sprinter and was an outspoken opponent of which were not illegal for most of his career. performance-enhancing drugs.

“For eight years [1964 to 1972] I would have to refer to myself as a hooked “The overwhelming majority of the international track-and-field athletes athlete,” he told a U.S. Senate subcommittee in 1973. I have known,” Mr. Connolly said in 1973, “would take anything and do anything short of killing themselves to improve their athletic performance.” He said anabolic steroids were unknown in 1956, but by the early elite Western athletes were following the example of athletes of Eastern Europe. Harold Vincent Connolly was born in Somerville, Mass., on August 1, 1931. “By 1968, athletes in every event were using anabolic steroids and He weighed 13 pounds at birth, and his left arm was broken and sustained nerve damage during delivery. His left arm was frequently fractured in childhood and was four inches shorter than his right arm. His left hand was two-thirds the size of his right.

Nonetheless, he participated in sports and tried the at Boston College before switching to the hammer -- a 16-pound metal ball at the end of a rigid, four-foot-long twisted wire. Mr. Connolly, who was 6 feet tall and weighed between 235 and 250 pounds at his peak, soon mastered the fast-spinning technique of the event. He wore smooth-soled ballet shoes to increase his foot speed.

In 1955, he became the first American to throw the hammer more than 200 feet. A year later, he broke the world record by more than 13 feet with a toss of 224 feet, 10 1/2 inches. He would not relinquish the record for nine years, and at one time had seven of the eight longest throws in history. His personal

HAROLD CONNOLLY

“Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we.” 21 -, Coach, Basketball ALUMNI NEWS

best was 233 feet, 9 1/2 inches in 1965. No other American from his second marriage, Adam Connolly of Silver Spring has won a gold medal in the hammer throw in international and Shannon Podduturi of ; a stepson, Brad competition since Mr. Connolly’s Olympic victory in 1956. Winslow of San Jose, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

Because Olympic athletes of that era were held to a strict Horace “Smitty” Duke (volleyball, 1968) amateur code, Mr. Connolly spent 29 years as a high school Passed away on September 18, 2010 at his home with his English teacher and vice principal in Santa Monica, Calif. wife Sharon LeRette Duke and his daughter Teresa Belrose He moved to Silver Spring in 1988 to become director of at his side. He was born June 12, 1942 in Center, Texas to U.S. programs for Special Olympics. He was a volunteer Clara Belle and Virgil Duke. He graduated from coach at Georgetown, where one of the athletes, Kevin Pasadena High School in Pasadena, Texas in 1960 and McMahon, made two U.S. Olympic teams. received his Teaching Degree from the University of Dallas in 1964. He taught in Irving, Texas and coached at the From 1999 to February 2010, Mr. Connolly lived in University of Dallas. He later taught at the high school in Radford, Va., where his wife was head track coach at Nacogdoches, Texas and coached volleyball there. Radford University. During the past decade, he established a Web site for his sport and was youth coordinator of Smitty was an all around athlete and while at the University the hammer throw for USA Track & Field, the national of Dallas was an 11-time All American in Volleyball and governing body for the sport. 4-time All American in Baseball. He was also a scratch golfer, a Class A Handball player and was known for Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Pat Winslow beating everyone in the county at tennis. Connolly of Catonsville; four children from his first marriage, Mark Connolly of Las Vegas, James Connolly In 1965, Smitty toured 11 major cities in Canada with the of Marina de Rey, Calif., Merja Freund of Corona del Mar, Russian and U.S. Volleyball teams. In 1966 he went to Calif., and Nina Southard of Temecula, Calif.; two children Prague, Czechoslovakia to play in the World Cup matches. THE

HORACE “SMITTY” DUKE AND THOMAS L. GAGE

Fall Issue 2010 22 Citius, Altius, Fortius...swifter, higher, stronger. ALUMNI NEWS

He received a special setting honor at the 1966 World Championship that He was preceded in death by his father: Virgil Duke and nephew William took place in the former Czechoslovakia. Smitty was a gold medal winner Duke. on the USA team at the 1967 and a member of the Olympic Team that was the first USA team to defeat the Soviet He is survived by wife: Sharon Duke of Unicoi, TN; his mother: Clara Union in the opening match of that Olympic tournament. During this period, Belle Duke of Center, TX; daughters: Teresa and husband Lester Belrose, he was considered one of the top six volleyball players in the world. Judy and husband Bruce Snider and Rusty and husband Mark Gorby; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law: Jim and Smitty was a remarkable athlete and volleyball player, who performed wife Betty Duke, Virgil and wife Ruth Duke; along with 2 nieces and 2 during most of his career in the Dallas area and played on the National Team nephews; and a host of other loving relatives. starting in 1965 through the early 1970s. In 1967, he went to Canada and won a gold medal in the Pan American games. Then in 1975 he was made Thomas L. Gage (athletics, 1972) head coach and player of the El Paso-Juarez Sol professional volleyball Thomas L. Gage, 67, longtime resident of Billings and Olympian died team. suddenly at his home on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

Smitty was named an All-Time Great by USA Volleyball in 1990, and had He was born May 16, 1943, in Ithaca, N.Y., the son of Thomas Asa Gage and an outstanding athletic career. As those who knew him will recall, he was Charlotte Moore Lewis. During the early years he lived in Kinderhook, N.Y. an outgoing and engaging personality and helped make every team he ever , San Antonio, Texas, Pembina, N.D., and Fairfax, Va. Gage graduated from played on more fun, as well as more successful. Fairfax High School in Virginia in 1961. He received his masters degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., in 1966. In his earlier days, Smitty was a noted Olympic Volleyball player and he faced the end of his life with the same grace, determination and spirit that he Gage moved to Billings in the late 1960s and worked at the Exxon refinery, brought to his athletic career. at which he specialized in computerization of operations, until retirement in 1998. He spent several years doing consulting work in the oil industry, especially for Citgo in Lake Charles, La., until recently. Gage spent most of his career with Exxon in the Billings refinery except for stints in Brussells, Belgium, Baton Rouge, La., and Concord, Calif.

Gage, an avid sportsman, tireless athlete, and an Olympian was a member of the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in 1988. As a collegian, he won three Heptagonal Championships with victories in the shot put and weight throw in 1965 following his winning the hammer throw in 1964. He then won the hammer throw championship at the 1967 Pan American Games. As an Olympian, he placed 12th in the hammer throw in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Just one month prior to his death he competed in a masters competition for older athletes, Gage finished first in the weight throw and super weight events and second in the hammer throw at the M65 Hayward Masters Classic held in Eugene, Ore., June 26-27.

CHARLES BUCHANAN HICKCOX

“I never set out to beat the world. I just set out to do my absolute best.” 23 -, Olympian, Athletics ALUMNI NEWS

He also volunteered as a coach for many young athletes at education and graduated from Salmon P. Chase College Montana State University, Rocky Mountain College and of Law at Northern Kentucky State University. Returning Billings Senior High School. At Montana State, he coached to Phoenix, Charlie successfully pursued a career in who later medaled in the Olympics throwing commercial real estate development. His career included the hammer. He was involved in the Yellowstone Valley a variety of positions including heading the Scottsdale- Track Club and was instrumental in the creation of the Big based real estate investment and development firm, The Sky State Games. Feldman-Hickcox Company. He was also a member of the Arizona Bar Association. Throughout his life, he As for the outdoors, he especially loved attending elk camp generously volunteered his time by visiting schools, youth in the Gravelly mountain range and fishing expeditions in groups, juvenile detention centers and prisons to share the north of Canada. his story and “encourage others to rise to their potential, make the right choices in life, and reinforced that everyone He is predeceased by his father, Thomas A. Gage of has an opportunity for a second chance.” Charlie was a Montpelier, Vt., in 1968 and his mother, Charlotte L. Gage kind, loving and humble man with a very big heart. He of Billings, in 2007. had an enormous faith in God and was blessed with such character, honesty, dignity and grace. He will be missed He is survived by his wife, Reva Vincent Gage, married as surely as he will be remembered. He is survived by in 2002; two sons Todd and Ryan both of Billings; a his beloved wife of seven years, Kathy; proud father of daughter, Mrs. Allison Gage Kershaw and two grandsons Kristen Hickcox (Marc Welborn), Erin Hickcox, Michelle of McKinney, Texas; former wife, Judie Gage of Billings; Sedgwick (Joe), Hayley Hickcox, Sharly Borer (Ryan), and brother, Richard M. Gage of Prescott, Ariz. Charles B. Hickcox, III (Randelle) and step daughter Elizabeth Ballew; nine grandchildren; his father, J. Cole Charles Buchanan Hickcox (swimming, 1968) Hickcox; siblings John Hickcox (Myrna), Mary Sue Charles “Charlie” Buchanan Hickcox II, died peacefully Magura (Jack), Tom Hickcox, Martha Wyatt (Bill); nieces at his home in San Diego on June 14, 2010 of cancer at and nephews Jay Hickcox, Katie, Stratton and Cole the age of 63. Charlie, a native of Phoenix, Arizona, was Hickcox, Elizabeth and Emma Magura and Bill and Holley an Olympic Swimming Champion in the 1968 Olympic Wyatt, as well as a host of other relatives and dear friends. Games in Mexico City winning three gold medals in He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Mary Jane the 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual (Sharty) Hickcox. medley and the 4x100 medley relay, as well as a silver medal in the 100 meter backstroke; he was also named Delbert Thomas Lamb (speedskating, 1936, ‘40, ‘48) Athlete of the 1968 Olympic Games. Other swimming Delbert Lamb, a three-time Winter Olympian and member accomplishments included leading Indiana University of the National Speedskating Hall of Fame, died on to two NCAA Championships, capturing seven NCAA September 25, 2010 at his home in Franklin, Wis. individual championships, two gold medals at the Pan- American games and setting eight world records. Charlie He was 95 and had Alzheimer’s disease. was also admitted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Indiana University Sports Hall of Fame, as well as “Our Del just passed away,” said his wife of 43 years, the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame. also Joanne Lamb. “The Lord was good to him.” ranked Charlie as one of the greatest 20th century athletes to come out of Arizona in its 50th Anniversary issue. After In February, in the midst of the 2010 Games, the Journal THE graduating from Indiana University, Charlie continued his Sentinel wrote about the life and times of Lamb, who rose

Fall Issue 2010 24 Citius, Altius, Fortius...swifter, higher, stronger. ALUMNI NEWS

from races on the frozen lagoon at Washington Park to representing the “So many people know him as a competitor and a good athlete,” said his United States at the 1936 and 1948 Games. son, Pat Lamb. “He had a big heart. He enjoyed being around kids. He really was a good guy. He really cared about doing right for people. You wonder if “The Olympics meant everything to him,” Joanne Lamb said. “That was the that is even more important than the skating.” holy grail of skating.” His specialty was the 500 meters - he finished fifth in the event in 1936 at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany and sixth in 1948 at Besides his wife and youngest son, Lamb is survived by his children, Susan St. Moritz, Switzerland. In those days, teams traveled to Europe by ship, and Lamb of Hawaii and Thomas Lamb of Hartland, step-children Kathleen Lamb was taken ill before his big races. Ojedak of New Berlin and James Gray of Fox Point, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. A daughter, Judith Lamb preceded him in death. His second Olympic berth also cost him his job with the Milwaukee Fire Department. He had arranged time off to compete in the Olympic trials in late James Gilbert Lea (athletics, 1956) 1947 in St. Paul, Minn. But before the trials began, a big snowstorm was nearing James Gilbert Lea Resident of Sunnyvale passed away on March 27, 2010 Milwaukee. Lamb was warned not to leave his post. He went to the trials and at the age of 78, at Villa Fontana, in San Jose, California, after a long battle was later fired. His appeal was turned down by the Fire and Police Commission. with heart disease. He is survived by Ana Bruch and her children Carlos, Lamb told the commission: “Olympic winners receive no rich awards; Florence, and Hans, and Florence’s son Jaime. Jim was born in Little they compete for love of the sport and the glory of their countries. I set the Rock Arkansas, grew up in Seattle, Washington, and graduated from the Olympics as my goal 14 years ago. I made the team in 1936 and qualified in University of Southern California with a degree in Real Estate and Finance. 1939 but the (1940) Games were canceled because of the war (World War II). He received a J.D. from Santa Clara University, maintained his law office in Sunnyvale, and practiced law in the San Jose area. He was married “I have been training for eight years: riding a bicycle, running and skating in to Barbara Lea and lived in Los Gatos before divorcing and moving to bad weather and good. Skating is in my blood. My heart is on skates. If I can Sunnyvale. Jim was a great runner of the fifties and set the World’s Record make the Olympic team I want to go.” at 45.8 in the 440 Yard Dash at the in 1956. He also went on to represent the United States Air Force Track Team in Europe and to coach After his competitive career ended, Lamb served for many years as a skating a fledgling track team at Santa Clara University while attending law school. official. He also owned and operated Del Lamb’s Sport and Cycle shop in He served on the Sunnyvale Parks and Recreation Board, was a member Milwaukee. of the Santa Clara County Republican Central Committee, and taught Real Estate Law at West Valley College in Saratoga for several years. Jim loved

DELBERT THOMAS LAMB AND CHARLES C. LYDA

“Adversity and perseverance can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless.” 25 -Scott Hamilton, Olympian, Figure Skating ALUMNI NEWS

and sailing on his boat in the Santa Cruz Marie Corridon Mortell (swimming, 1948) Bay. Marie Corridon Mortell passed away Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at the Norwalk Hospital surrounded by her Charles C. Lyda (canoe/kayak, 1976, ‘80) loving family. The daughter of Dr. J. Donald and Louise Charles Clinton Lyda, a Lt. Col. in the California National Fitzpatrick Corridon, she was born at the Georgetown Guard, died on Saturday, June 12, 2010, after a 7-month Hospital, Washington D.C. where her father was an battle with cancer. He was 57. Assistant Professor of Surgery. Shortly thereafter her family moved to East Norwalk where her father began a Mr. Lyda, was USA Canoe Kayak Team member in slalom medical practice. and a sprint canoer who competed in the mid to late 1970s. He won two gold medals in the mixed C-2 event at the She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships, earning them in Edwin Mortell. She is survived by her seven children, 1975 and 1977. Maureen Mortell Koziol and her husband, Dr. Joseph Koziol of New Jersey, Michael Mortell and his wife, Lyda competed as a sprint canoer in the C-2 1000m event at Bethlam Forsa of New York City, Kerry Mortell of Los the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, but was eliminated Angeles, CA, Kate Mortell of Weston, Sheila Mortell in the repechage rounds. He also qualified for the 1980 Stolarski and her husband, Edward of Weston, Margaret Summer Olympics but was unable to compete because the Mortell Montesi and her husband, John of Riverside, United States boycotted that event. CT and Anne Marie Mortell of New York City. She is survived by 11 grandchildren. She is also survived by her Chuck, a world champion athlete, was also coach of the U.S. two brothers, John Corridon of Falmouth, MA and James Biathlon Team at the Nagano (1998) and Salt Lake City Corridon of Wilton. (2002) Winter Olympics, and served one year in Tikrit, Iraq, with the Army Corps of Engineers in 2006. Marie learned to swim at The Longshore Club in Westport, CT at the age of 5 and it became readily apparent that she had a natural ability and much potential as a speed swimmer. This resulted in her becoming a National THE

JAMES GILBERT LEA

Fall Issue 2010 26 Olympic Ideals: Vision, Focus, Commitment, Persistence, Discipline ALUMNI NEWS

Champion in the 100 yard freestyle in 1948 breaking the existing U.S, record Olympic silver medal hockey team, died September 13, 2010 at his son’s in that event. She won this event again in 1950. In 1948 Marie was on the home in Sun Prairie, Wis. Rompre was 81. 400 meter freestyle relay team in the London Olympic Games, winning gold and setting a new Olympic record in the process. Rompre played at Colorado College from 1950-51 before he was drafted into the Marines. According to his obituary, he would have been sent to fight Marie attended St. Joseph’s Parochial School in South Norwalk, Sacred in Korea if he hadn’t tried out for and made the U.S. Olympic team. He then Heart Academy in Stamford, CT and Marymount College in New York City. set the Olympic record by scoring four goals in one game. After the Olympics, Marie worked for the United States Olympic Committee reporting to its President, Avery Brundage. She was later employed as an “He was quite a hockey player and a real gentleman,” said former U.S. and executive secretary at the Walter Reed Army Hospital. Upon returning to CC teammate Andy Gambucci. “Whenever he came out here, we’d meet up Norwalk, Marie worked in the public relations department of the Norwalk and do something together. It’s sad to hear he’s gone.” Hospital. Rompre turned down an offer to join the New York Rangers organization to Antonio Pettigrew (athletics, 2000) finish his schooling at Colorado College, where he played from 1953-56. He The North Carolina assistant track coach Antonio Pettigrew passed away in met his wife Nancy Hooker while in Colorado Springs. Chatham County on August 10, 2010. They later moved to Waupun, Wis., where he was president of the local Pettigrew was part of the 1,600-meter U.S. relay team that won the gold chamber of commerce and one of the founders of a local hockey association medal in the Sydney Olympics in 2000, but the International Olympic where he was a top player for years. Committee stripped the team of the medals two years ago after Pettigrew admitted doping during a trial against former coach Trevor Graham. He was a scout for the U.S. national team and officiated at Wisconsin home Pettigrew had spent four seasons at North Carolina and focused on sprints, games. In 1989, Rompre received the William Thayer Tutt award from USA hurdle and relays. He graduated from St. Augustine’s in Raleigh in 1992. Hockey for his years of dedication to the sport. Antonio is survived by his wife Cassandra and son Antonio Jr. In 1992, he was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Robert Rompre (, 1952) Minn., where his silver medal is on display. He helped organize and was Former Colorado College center Robert Rompre, a member of the 1952 U.S. later inducted into the Minnesota and Wisconsin hockey halls of fame.

MARIE CORRIDON MORTELL , ANTONIO PETTIGREW AND ROBERT ROMPRE

“For athletes, the Olympics are the ultimate test of their worth.” 27 -, Olympian, Gymnastics ALUMNI NEWS

He is survived by three children, 13 grandchildren He played for the U.S. National team in 1994 and 1995 and 12 great-grandchildren. including the Pan American Games. He was drafted by the New York MetroStars and his dream of playing profession- Damian Troy Silvera (soccer, 1996) al soccer came through. During the 1996 season he left the Damian Silvera (soccer, 1996) was born in Flushing, New Metrostars and joined the U.S. National team for the 1996 York on July 27, 1974. He grew up in Huntington, New Summer Olympics. He returned to Major league soccer York and attended Shenendehowa High School in Clifton, and finished his career with the Kansas City Wizards. New York where he played on the boy’s soccer team. In his In 2001 he started coaching young kids and he found Junior and Senior year, he was named to the All American something else that he was passionate about. He moved High School Team. Soccer became Damian’s first love to Houston, Texas in 2003 to be closer to his brother. He and he decided to pursue his dream to play on the Olympic leaves behind one brother, three sisters, four nieces and Team and professionally. Damian passed away on June 14, three nephews. 2010 in Houston, TX.

He attended the University of Virginia (UVA) where he played midfield on the men’s soccer team from 1992 - 1995. He left UVA with many individual records but he was proudest of the three NCAA National Championships the team won in 1992, 1993, and 1994. THE

DAMIAN TROY SILVERA

Fall Issue 2010 28 ONCE AN OLYMPIAN ALWAYS AN OLYMPIAN, NEVER FORMER NEVER PAST ALUMNI NEWS

George Steinbrenner By: Mike Moran

It seemed prudent to wait a bit before speaking about George Steinbrenner and his passing while the epic tonnage of writing and reporting was over- whelming the media everywhere, even engulfing the Baseball All-Star game itself with its impact. This man was truly larger-than-life in every way, perhaps the most accomplished owner in the history of American profes- sional sport, a lightning-rod for controversy and bombast, but an iconic figure whose friendship with, and support of America’s Olympic athletes and his impact on the United States Olympic Committee will become legend, spoken of among the greatest. The Reader’s Digest of my youth carried a regular feature called “The Most Unforgettable Character I Have Ever Met,” and it crossed my mind that he was mine, while thinking about The Boss and his life, his contributions to the USOC, and how much we all will miss him. In Boston during the summer of 1998, the USOC held a board meeting at the Marriott Copley Place, some 250 people on hand, and a nightmare of airport pickups and traffic delays. Steinbrenner was due to arrive about dinnertime GEORGE STEINBRENNER from New York at the teeming Logan Airport with Red Sox executive John Harrington and George needed to be picked up and delivered to the hotel; our staff was scared of him, and there were no volunteers for the job. I had located by the windows and we sat down for what would become an evening met George in 1988 in Calgary when he launched his Olympic Overview never to be forgotten. George, as he always did, began the chat after we or Commission effort, and enjoyed a very positive relationship with him. He dered (Petrale Sole for me, steak for him) by pelting me with personal ques- even gave me a seat in his box at Yankee Stadium during the 1996 World tions, “Got a girlfriend?” then “You look like you’ve gained some weight, Series, so I jumped at the chance to get the car and pick him up. When he do you work out?” and “Are you coming to New York this summer?” Once emerged from the gate and saw me waiting, his reaction was “What are you he’d had enough of that, the talk turned to his Yankees and Baseball. Most doing here, did you draw the short straw?” Then came the usual bear-hug people believed he knew nothing much about the team and its history before and slap on the back that was his trademark. It did not take long in the suf- 1973 when he bought the Bronx Bombers from CBS for $10 million; but for focating traffic at 5:30 to produce his famed anger, and he was really hot as the next three hours, interrupted only by the arrival of our food and waiters our car crawled along through one of the tunnels and the minutes rolled by. and waitresses sneaking over for an autograph (they would whisper that ”What the hell do we have to get to now?” he said. We were supposed to since they were in Boston and worked there, would he simply sign the nap- go to some museum for a USOC reception, and he was having none of that. kin or card and leave it discreetly on the chair when he left), we talked about ”I’m not going to go and stand around and make small talk over shrimp the Yankees, their magnificent history and the immortals, Ruth, Mantle, cocktails and weenies,” he roared, “let’s find some place for dinner.” My Dickey, Gehrig, Maris, Ford, Berra, and the rest of the Gods that wore pin- memory tells me we ended up on the Boston Harbor Pier at Anthony’s Pier stripes. He knew everything about each one and more, and he told stories I 4, which was packed, but as soon as the host saw him coming, a table was never heard in my life about the stadium and the scores who inhabited it over

“Attitude is something we can all control.” 29 -, Olympian, Swimming Fall Issue 2010 Issue Fall

THE 30 of course, and after it was settled with a generous tip for the the decades. At the end of the meal, he grabbed the check, g r o . a s u m a e t . w w w gradual decline in his appearances in New York, snapshots papers or on TV, stories of failing health and gossip, and a from that point on, it was a sighting here and there in the good in June, 2005, after the Olympic bid crashed, and off like a rocket on the Fourth of July. I left New York for the Red Sox in seven games, which must have set George 3 by 19-8 at Fenway Park, but tragically lost the series to time I would be in his company. The Yankees won Game family). It was time to go, not knowing it would be the last Olympic stuff in 2002 but kept a lot of friends within the talk about the USOC a bit (he had stepped aside from most down, taking the time to introduce me to his family and of wine. He saw me and hailed me to come over and sit ing the win when I stopped in to get a burger and a glass They were all in the bar getting a late snack and celebrat that night to sing the National Anthem before the game. and her chorale up from the University of North Carolina by Mariano Rivera. George had brought his granddaughter beat the hated Pedro Martinez, 3-1, with a save, of course Red Sox; the Yankees had won that night as Jon Leiber had gone to the second game of the ALCS series with the the city on the ill-fated New York 2012 Olympic bid and Hotel bar on Park Avenue in New York, I was working in him was in the autumn of 2004, October 13, at the Regency went right to bed, sleeping like a baby. The last time I saw our meeting thought something might be up…George? He police asking about an accident, and the media covering around 9:30, chaos had ensued. Our staff had called the and that I had picked him up, so when we got to the hotel had not called the USOC office to tell them where we were was some applause and some jeering by Red Sox fans. I whole staff, we made our way through the bar, where there ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI - modest amount of reporting about his contributions to the performance and support programs. There has been a medals is now the standard for the USOC and its athlete Torino, Beijing and Vancouver. And his legacy of winning in Barcelona, Atlanta, Nagano, Sydney, Salt Lake, Athens, You can see his hand in the medal charts for USA athletes but I knew he was proud of our athletes and the USOC. in history. He scolded me for giving him too much credit, winter sports power with 34 medals, our best performance his role in the sudden emergence of our Olympic team as a in Salt Lake in 2002, after he had read my quotes praising In my scrapbook is a letter he wrote me during the Games but I knew, like everybody else, that there was a lot wrong. of him up in a box at Yankee Stadium or down in Tampa, of him now and then, and occasionally a long-range shot sleep well, Boss. alongside as part of the world’s greatest sporting event… financial generosity, and the men and women he worked special family of athletes, many of them recipients of his at games here and there, know how he cared about this wearing his USOC windbreaker in spring training and his times. Those of us who saw him time and time again, by baseball-related moments, players and managers, and Olympic athletes and the USOC, overshadowed rightfully ALUMNI NEWS

Ted Stevens By: Mike Moran

Every American Olympic athlete who has mounted the podium to receive a medal from Lake Placid to Vancouver should have paused to take a mo- ment to remember former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, who died in a tragic plane crash in a remote area of the state he loved and served for six terms in Washington. Stevens authored, sponsored and delivered the most important piece of legislation in the history of the American Olympic movement in 1978--the Amateur Sports Act, now named after him. The historic legisla- tion is the blueprint by which the United States Olympic Committee gained its pivotal, central role in carrying out its mission and assuring that every American athlete, no matter their lot in life, can dream and have the right to compete for the chance to realize their goal. Simply put, Ted Stevens had the back of hundreds of thousands of men and women from every state, city, town or hamlet who wanted to achieve something special. Most failed, but many others have made up our Olympic and Paralympic teams, Pan Ameri- can Games teams, and scores of others who earned the right to represent our TED STEVENS nation at World Championships or Trials leading to the ultimate recognition. Acting on the findings of the President’s Commission on Olympic Sports from 1975-77, Stevens took on the decades-long dysfunction of Ameri- those same guarantees built into their charters, and it installed a brand-new can amateur sports and delivered a document ending years of turf battles system of appeal and arbitration for our athletes they would never have between the NCAA and the once-powerful AAU over control of our athletes dreamed of under the former good old boys network now demolished. As a and their right to compete. It ushered in a new era for amateur and Olympic product from this massive reform came the reborn USOC, which had been sport, and it created a system of rights for the athletes and gave birth to the little more than an Olympic travel agency for decades, selling lapel pins and new USOC, placing the organization squarely in the driver’s seat for the task belt buckles to help finance the trips to the Games, its board dominated by of managing the Olympic movement. Stevens was aided by Olympic greats the AAU and its cronies, doing business in some smoke-filled back rooms in like swimmer , who worked tirelessly from 1976 to 1978 New York City. Now there were to be Olympic Training Centers where ath- as a consultant to Stevens and the Senate on behalf of American athletes letes could develop their skills at no cost, a new national headquarters was and their rights, and what they brought home was monumental. It not only opened in Colorado Springs in August, 1978, where the USOC grew from a guaranteed the rights of athletes in critical areas, but it created a USOC with dozen staffers like me, to the mature, diverse and efficient, prominent force power and influence, giving it the protection of the coveted Olympic marks that it is today. Training centers came alive in Colorado Springs, Squaw and terminology vital to its fundraising. It brought the system of individual Valley and Lake Placid, and later Chula Vista, and the stage was set for what national governing bodies for each Olympic or Pan Am games sport with has now become reality; the United States is a power in both the Winter and

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” 31 -, Olympian, Cycling Fall Issue 2010 Issue Fall

THE 32 the National Governing Bodies, a deep and resilient talent Summer Games and we have, because of the strength of NEWS ALUMNI , higher r. e g n o r t s r, e h g i h r, e t f i w s . . . s u i t r o F , s u i t l A , s u i t i C Games to welcome these special athletes. He sat at the brought our Olympic Teams to the White House after every or ignored, and he was at the front of the line when we his office to any aspiring Olympic athlete who felt unheard Congress and the inept Carter inner circle. He would open of the 1980 Moscow Games forced on the USOC by the being one. He opposed the clumsy, destructive boycott for his state and for Olympians and those who dream of issues since that have made some overlook his triumphs Senate career ended in 2008 and he endured problems and athletes and the guardian of the flame for the USOC. His To the end, he was the Man in Washington for American changed the way the USOC conducted itself internally. reform in 2004 that reduced the Board of Directors and humbling, rancorous hearings in Washington and a massive ended with the departure of the USOC’s chief executive, of mismanagement and systemic problems since 1999. It he had gathered during a long investigation into charges employees, waving a binder of documents in the air that Olympic Training Center in front of more than 500 USOC person was in February, 2003, when he was in a gym at the we listened and we obeyed. The last time I saw him in he could be a bully when he wanted to make a point, but over 25 years are unforgettable. He could be charming or and any number of meetings I endured in his Senate offices of American athletes; he was the watchdog of the USOC, sport. Stevens never let down in his vigilance on behalf but it continues to sustain the complex nature of Olympic like women’s representation in the USOC and the NGBs, the rapid growth of the Paralympic movement to issues to meet the needs and changes in American sport--from been challenged, criticized and amended over the years pool. The Amateur Sports Act is not perfect, and it has those of us who were part of the rebirth of the organization athletes or the USOC, but it will never be forgotten by death will mention his massive contributions to America’s plight. Not much of the reporting about Stevens’ life and and who was also a friend to Olympic athletes and their and direction to the movement at a critical time in 1989 George Steinbrenner, who also brought needed change passing of another of the USOC’s most influential figures, wife, Ann. His untimely death comes only weeks after the plane crash in Alaska in 1978 that took the life of his first stage for their recognition. Eerily, he had survived another time for me to introduce the athletes and bring them to the his arms crossed and a frown on his brow until it came Dinners we staged in Washington through the years with head table, front-row, at every one of the grand Olympic ate their own. of greatness, and those who are just now beginning to cre the Rockies, and by thousands of athletes who had a dream in 1978, it’s move to our cherished Colorado Springs and - ALUMNI NEWS USOC AND ADECCO INCREASE A T H L E T E S P E A K E R COMMITMENT TO CAREER REFERRAL NETWORK SERVICES FOR ATHLETES

Recently, Adecco, a world-leading human resources solutions company, in- The USOC’s Athlete Speaker Referral Network (ASRN) creased its partnership with the USOC from a supplier to a sponsor to augment the career services and job placement assistance they provide America’s Olym- allows individuals from the general public to request the pians, Paralympians and hopefuls. In 2005, the two organizations partnered to create the Athlete Career Program (ACP), a three-part program created to athletes with career coaching and consultation both while they are training services of more than 350 U.S. Olympians, Paralympians, and competing as well as when they have transitioned from sport to their next endeavor. The three-part Athlete Career Program consists of the following coaches, historians and hopefuls for speaking engagements services: • Personal Career Coach – just as athletes have a coach to assist them with and appearances. preparation for optimal performances in sport, a personal career coach can provide guidance on self assessment exercises, creating a resume, learning how to network effectively, short and long term career planning and more. • Group Seminars – The USOC and Adecco have created five group seminars that can be delivered anywhere in the country to groups of six athletes or The ASRN can be accessed by visiting the USOC’s of- more. The seminar topics include the following: • Creating Your Game Plan (self assessment) ficial website, www.teamusa.org and scrolling down to the • Building Your Team (networking) • Entering the Competition (resume construction) • Game On! Are You Ready? (job interviewing) red button located on the right hand side near the bottom • Can You Be Your Own Boss? (becoming an entrepreneur) • Job Placement Assistance – Adecco and its 900 U.S. locations, along with of the homepage. Once on the ASRN landing page, the the network of the USOC, can supplement athletes’ personal efforts when it comes to their job search. requestor can select athletes based on the following menu

Recently, Adecco hired 2008 Olympian Carissa Gump (weightlifting) as the newly created ACP Athlete Liaison. Carissa benefitted from the Athlete Career items: location; name; sport; topics; whether the athlete is Program when she was training and competing, and is now in a role to assist athletes young and old, currently training and retired from sport in their career- an Olympian, Paralympian, coach, historian or hopeful; or oriented pursuits. they have the option of viewing the entire database. “There is no way to measure the incredible value the Athlete Career Program can offer you,” said Gump. “Having personally been through the program my- self I can tell you I am confident in my resume, interviewing, and networking If you have any questions regarding the ASRN or would skills. Even if you are currently training and competing, it is never too soon to start preparing for your transition from sport. I look forward to the opportu- like to sign up, please contact Christine Taylor in the U.S. nity to place qualified athletes who are currently training and competing in the New Team USA Career Program and to also assist athletes at all stages of their Olympians & Paralympians office at 800-717-7555. athletic careers with traditional job placement assistance.”

Three-time Olympian (1976,1980,1984) and Olympic Bronze Medalist, Carol Also, the USOC is looking to increase the public’s utiliza- Brown, recently utilized the Athlete Career Program and had this to say about her experience: “I never imagined that these resources were available to long tion of the ASRN. If you know of companies or organiza- retired Olympians, nor that I would find them so helpful in a job search even with 25+ years of solid work experience. The personal career coach helped me tions looking for a speaker from the Olympic family, please refine my resume and boosted my confidence. The teleconferences on inter- viewing skills and how to optimize networking using LinkedIn were extremely valuable. The Adecco professionals were a valuable part of my support team!” refer them to the ASRN.

If you are interested in registering for the Athlete Career Program or finding out more about how these services can help you, please contact Carissa Gump, ACP Athlete Liaison, at 719-866-4035 or [email protected].

“I am building a fire, and everyday I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” 33 -Mia Hamm, Olympian, Soccer Fall Issue 2010 Issue Fall

THE 34 11. 8. 5. 1. HIGHLIGHTS PARALYMPIAN & OLYMPIAN , higher r. e g n o r t s r, e h g i h r, e t f i w s . . . s u i t r o F , s u i t l A , s u i t i C 2. 12. 9. 6. 3. 1. Olympic great (athletics, 1948, ‘52) is honored at the Mansfield Mehock Relays

2. Newlyweds Kevin Nowack and Olympian Iris Zimmerman (fencing, 2000) help with the 2010 Olympic Day

3. Vancouver Olympian Katherine Reutter (speedskating, 2010) talks to guests of the LA84 Foundation

4. Professional athletes and Olympians were selected by the Sierra Club to survey the damage caused by the gulf oil disaster. LtoR: Leilani Munter, race car driver, Loree Smith (athletics, 2008), Mike Alstott former Tampa Bay football, Stacey Cook, (skiing, 2006, ‘10), Krista Bradford, X board Skier, Ovie Mughelli, Atlanta Falcons football, Chanda Rubin (tennis, 1996, ‘04), Gary Morgan (athletics, 1988), Mike Richter, (ice hockey, 1988, ‘98, ‘02) New York Rangers, Andrew Ference Boston Bruins Hockey

5. Olympians gather to support BASOC & the Northern California Olympians Annual Meeting (back row - L to R): Jim Schmitz (weightlifting coach, 1980, ‘88, ‘92), Alison Bartosik (synchronized swimming, 2004), Catriona Fallon (rowing, 1992, ‘96), Mary Anne O’Connor (basketball, 1976), (basketball, 1996), Kathryn Steding (basketball, 1996), Claudia Schneider-Lockwood (rowing, 1976), Philip Durbrow (rowing, 1964), (swimming, 1976, ‘80), Cribbs (swimming, 1960) (front row - L to R): Stephani Victor (Paralympic alpine skiing, 2000, ‘06, ‘10), Marco Sullivan (skiing, 2002, ‘06, ‘10), Nate Holland (skiing, 2006, ‘10), Steven Holcomb (bobsled, 2006, ‘10), Stacey Cook (skiing, 2006, ‘10), Armenia Olympian Ani Serebrakian (skiing, 2010), Shannon Bahrke (skiing, 2002, ‘06, ‘10) and Kathy Weston (athletics, 1976) 4. 6. Team Handball Olympian Carmen Forest (team handball, 1984) talks to students at Goddard Academy about dogged determination!

7. Can you name these Legends of Gold?

8. First pitch is thrown out by Olympians & Paralympians during 10th Annual Olympic Night with the SF Giants at AT&T Park

9. Olympians support “Dr. Sammy Lee Day” LtoR: Tom Gompf (diving, 1964), John Naber (swimming, 1976), Lou Zamperini (athletics, 1936), Greg Louganis (diving, 1976, ‘80, ‘84, ‘88), Sammy Lee (diving, 1948, ‘52), Peter Vidmar (gymnastics, 1980, ‘84), Patricia McCormick (diving, 1952, ‘56)

10. Juno Cox (diving, 1948, ‘52, ‘56, ‘60) and husband Phil at Sammy Lee’s 90th birthday party

11. Olympians discuss their Vancouver Experience at an event hosted by the LA84 Foundation LtoR: Jordan Malone (speedskating, 2010), JR Celski (speedskating, 2010), Angela Ruggiero (ice hockey, 1998, ‘02, ‘06, ‘10) and moderator Alan Abrahamson 7. 12. Utah athletes sign Olympic flag after visiting veterans at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 1st, 2010 LtoR: Fuzz Feddersen (skiing, 1988, ‘92, ‘94), Liz Swaney (skeleton), Matt Clark, Joy Bryant (skeleton), Debbie Stark-Clark (gymnastics, 1972), Brady Canfield (skeleton),Jeremy Holm (bobsled), Don Osmond, Jr. (bobsled), Bill Spencer (biath- lon, 1964, ‘68)

13. Lou Zamperini (athletics, 1936) and USOPA Assistant, Christine Taylor during the “Reach the Peak” program

14. 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee Joey Cheek (speedskating, 2002, ‘06), 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Tracy Mattes, 2010 recipient of the Idaho Humanitarian Award (athletics, 1968), and Melanie Sim- boli (skiing, 1988) at the 2010 World Sport Humanitarian Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies held June 12 at Boise State University’s Stueckle Sky Center.

15. 2010 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame Honors Luger Jack Elder Back row: (basketball, 1996), Sean O’Neill (table tennis, 1988, ‘92), Chuck Richards (mod- 10. ern pentathlon, 1972), Jack Elder (luge, 1972), John McArdle (athletics, 1980) Front row: David Wagner (Paralympic tennis)

13. 14. 15.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” 35 -John Quincy Adams U.S. OLYMPIAN CHAPTERS

Arizona Olympians & Paralympians President: Mike Troy (swimming, 1960) (408) 227-1247 Colorado Olympians & Paralympians President: Gene Kotlarek (skiing, 1960, ‘64) (303)-807-3911 Olympians President: Jim Millns (figure skating, 1976) (727) 741-2662 Hawaii Olympians President: Michael Rothwell (sailing, 1976) (808) 737-8789 FEVER ON ICE STUDENTS RECEIVE A SPECIAL OLYMPIC HAT FOR THEIR EFFORTS FROM U.S. ICE Idaho Olympians & Paralympians DANCING OLYMPIANS, MELISSA GREGORY & DENIS PETUKHOV. THE PROGRAM COMBINES ICE SKATING President: Dick Fosbury (athletics, 1968) INSTRUCTION AND ACADEMICS WHILE FOSTERING CULTURAL DIVERSITY, RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING SKILLS (208) 720-2352 AND TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT. Indiana Olympians President: (athletics, 1964) (317) 466-0444 U.S. OLYMPIANS AND PARALYMPIANS UNITE Michigan Olympians & Paralympians Congratulations as the U.S. “There are two events, the Olympic “This announcement is formal President: (athletics, 1984) Olympians Association Board of and Paralympic Games, but we are recognition that athletes who wear (517) 881-6710 Directors overwhelmingly approved all one Team USA.” said Willie the red, white and blue are forever an amendment Friday, Sept. 24, Banks (athletics, 1980, 1984, 1988), part of something larger than Midwest Olympians & Paralympians to include Paralympians as part president of the USOPA. “We are themselves and their achievements President: Diane Simpson Bundy (rhythmic of its organizational membership all athletes, and we are proud the on the field of play,” Midwest gymnastics, 1988) and structure. The newly named organization will include both Chapter Secretary Linda Mastandrea (847) 452-7843 U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Olympians and Paralympians.” said. “It is an acknowledgement Missouri/Illinois Olympians & Paralympians enables U.S. Olympians and U.S. that the Paralympic athletes are President: John Carenza (soccer, 1972) Paralympians to work side by side Applause to the Midwest Chapter of an integral part of the Olympic (314) 846-4124 on initiatives that impact the larger U.S. Olympians and Paralympians, Movement in our country, and that Movement and educate athletes. The which paved the way as the first our Movement is that much stronger National Capital Area Olympians change also calls for the inclusion chapter in the country to change as a result.” President: Arlene Limas (taekwondo, 1988) of a Paralympian vice president By-laws to include Olympians and (540) 720-1988 in addition to the current six vice Paralympians in the same chapter. New England Area Olympians presidents. President: (athletics, 1960, ‘64) (508) 584-7474 Northern California Olympians UNITED STATES OLYMPIC U.S. OLYMPIANS OFFICERS 2009-2012 EDITORIAL STAFF President: Greg Massialas (fencing, 1980, ‘84, ‘88) COMMITTEE BOARD OF (415) 441-0521 DIRECTORS Oregon Olympians USOC CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT SENIOR EDITOR President: Lisa Kosglow (skiing, 1998, ‘02) Larry Probst Willie Banks (athletics, 1980, ‘84, ‘88) Cynthia E. Stinger (team handball, 1984, (541) 400-9061 ‘88, ‘92) Southern California Olympians Bob Bowlsby VICE PRESIDENTS President: Cathy Marino (canoe/kayak, 1988, ‘92) Ursula Burns Caryn Davies (rowing, 2004, ‘08) ASSOCIATE EDITOR (714) 847-5596 Anita DeFrantz (rowing, 1976, ‘80) Christine Taylor Jim Easton Dick Fosbury (athletics, 1968) Southwest Olympians John Hendricks PRODUCTION DIRECTOR President: Sammy Walker (weightlifting, 1976) Jair Lynch (gymnastics, 1992, ‘96) Gary W. Hall Sr. (swimming, 1968, ‘72, ‘76) Denise O’Shea - O’Shea Design (469) 955-3158 Mary McCagg (rowing, 1992, ’96) Tri-States Olympians Mike Plant (speedskating, 1980) Micki King (diving, 1968, ‘72) President: (athletics, 1960) (201) 392-8448 Carol Lewis (athletics, 1980, ‘84, ‘88)

Utah Olympians USOC CHIEF Dwight Stones (athletics, 1972, ‘76, ‘84) Photos by: Getty Images & President: Debra Stark (gymnastics, 1972) EXECUTIVE OFFICER Other Sources (801) 369-9918 Scott A. Blackmun Washington State Olympians HONORARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR President: John Stillings (rowing, 1984) Dorothy Franey Langkop (speedskating, (206) 440-0708 1932) 36USC220506 Western PA-OH-WVA Olympians IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT President: Jeff McLaughlin (rowing, 1988, ‘92) John Naber (swimming, 1976) (412) 253-0857 PAST PRESIDENT No chapter in your area? Interested in starting (athletics, 1968) a chapter? Contact the U.S. Olympians Association office for details at (800) 717-7555. www.teamusa.org