Sometimes you have an idea that’s so good it’s all you can think about. Then you think about it for a while, and realize it’s a little bit stupid, but you still want to do it anyway. This is that kind of idea.
I’ve spent my fair share of time fired up about what gets venerated in the sport I love. The International Swimming Hall of Fame is home to Paul Bergen, Laszlo Kiss, and Jack Nelson (who despite some reconsiderations about Diana Nyad, is not off the hook.)
Meanwhile, ASCA still has a few problematic names, including Nelson, Dick Shoulberg, Jack Simon, Don Easterling, and Mark Schubert (too many posts to hyperlink). They inducted coach Joe Bernal months before he was banned by USA Swimming and fled the country. For years they celebrated Rick Curl and Mitch Ivey.
Meanwhile, USA Swimming’s club recognition program says that Magnolia Aquatic Club is a “Gold Medal Club”. I guess they didn’t factor hiring sex offenders into the rankings. Good to know.
The problem with all of this is the message that it sends to all involved with the sport of swimming. To other coaches, it sends the clear message that you will not be judged on basic morality but on the speed of swimmers that you coach.
To athletes, it communicates that the goal of swimming fast justifies pretty much any means a coach uses. To the parents of kids involved in the sport, it gaslights them into thinking that they should put their trust in people that have no business being around children.
I’m just one man and I can’t change the way what these organizations choose to promote. But I can build by own Swimming Hall of Infamy. It will be located here in my home, although only figuratively, as my daughter would probably never be able to sleep at night if she saw a picture of Paul Bergen.
Friend of the blog Sarah Ehekircher will join me in “inducting” people into SHOI. I expect others will be there, when their knowledge and expertise of the infamy involved makes sense.
The inductions will be either by audio or video format, but shorter than at typical podcast (5-15 minutes depending on level of infamy).