The Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) is proud to announce the 2021 class of Honorees. This group of outstanding individuals will be inducted on Saturday evening, October 9, 2021 at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach and Resort in conjunction with the 2021 ISHOF Honoree Induction Ceremony weekend. The Class has been limited to USA Only due to Covid Travel Restriction.
The prestigious MISHOF class of 2021 includes one swimmer, one diver, one contributor, and one coach.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME SWIMMER:
SWIMMER:
CLAY BRITT (USA)
Clay Britt has been swimming competitively for 54 straight years. He has 23 FINA Masters World Records to his name and has competed in seven age groups. He has been in the Top Ten every year for a total of 30 times, between the years 1988 through 2018.
After a successful swimming career at the University of Texas, Britt joined a Masters team in Dallas and travelled to Australia in 1988 to compete at the World Masters Championships. He broke his first world record in 1989 in the 50m backstroke.
Shortly after Australia, he moved to the Washington DC area and immediately joined a local Masters team. There he met a core group of friends that he still trains and travels with to this day. He expanded his passion to coaching and found himself heading up a local team called the Montgomery Ancient Mariners. He has now been involved with the team for nearly 30 years.
The last five years have been more about exercise and stress reduction than training to break records, although he does try to get one meet in a year.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME DIVER:
DAVID COTTON (USA)
David Cotton has competed in USA Masters Nationals since 1992, has competed in the Pan Am Masters, the Masters World Games and eight FINA World Championships, winning 26 World Championship medals: 11 gold, 12 silver and three bronzes. He has set two world records.
He has served as a judge for USA Senior Diving Nationals, NCAA events, and is a FINA judge.
Cotton has come back to diving after open heart surgery, and multiple shoulder surgeries. He “reinvented” himself, learning an all feet-first platform list so he could still compete. He also converted his 3-meter list to mostly feet first dives.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME CONTRIBUTOR:
ROSE CODY (PUR) – Masters Artistic Swimming Contributor
Rose Cody is one of the most influential people in Masters Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming. She became a member of the FINA Masters Committee in 1994 and remained on the committee until 2017. During this time she served as the Synchronized Swimming Director at every FINA Masters World Championships from 1994 through 2017.
Cody put synchronized swimming on the map in Puerto Rico in 1976, after having seen it for the first time in the Pan American Games in Mexico City in 1975. By 1977, Puerto Rico was participating in regional competition.
She was a FINA judge from 1976 to 2004 when mandatory age requirements caused her retirement. She has been a referee, judge and administrator at all events from grassroots to CCCAN, CISC and CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games). She has conducted clinics in over 18 countries throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Rose can be called the “Mother of Synchronized Swimming in Puerto Rico” as she has the distinction of introducing Synchronized Swimming in her country and helped to develop the sport there and around the region.
NEW MASTERS INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING HALL OF FAME COACH:
KERRY O’BRIEN (USA) – Masters Swimming Coach Contributor
Kerry O’Brien’s engagement and commitment to swimming has been a lifelong endeavor. His participation in U.S. Masters Swimming has resulted in significant enhanced member benefits such as increased skill development, participation and overall enjoyment. Kerry’s contributions and service to U.S. Masters have focused on all facets of coaching. His 40-year tenure leading Walnut Creek Masters defines his is a legacy of service and giving back to the sport.
Among his many accomplishments, Kerry received the USMS Coach of the Year award in 1987. In collaboration with Jim Miller, MISHOF inductee 2019, Kerry created the Masters Coaching Curriculum for the American Swim Coaches Association. He has been a regular participant in USMS’s mentor/mentee program for coaches and also serves as a mentor to other coaches across the country. Under his leadership, Walnut Creek Masters conducted an annual Intensive Training Camp for over 30 years, it attracted 45-50 Masters Swimmers from around the world and became the model for the USMS Intensive Training Clinics. Kerry is in demand at clinics throughout the country.
The Induction Weekend Schedule
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction
- 11:30-12:30 pm Luncheon Followed By Tour
Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner
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- 5:30 pm VIP Reception
- 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner
10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options
HOTEL INFORMATION
Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night
Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame
NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate
Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach
440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733
Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night
Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021
Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021
Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367
About Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF)
The purpose of the MISHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness, and participation in adult aquatic programs. MISHOF recognizes the achievements of individuals who have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups. Most must pre-qualify by an objective point system based on world records performances, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances. The MISHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit: www.ishof.org
About International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. It was first recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports, in 1968. ISHOF’s mission is to collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate the history of aquatic sports while promoting Every Child A Swimmer.
For more information, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 594-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org or visit www.ishof.org
I could not be happier or more excited about Kerry O’Brien’s induction in to the Hall of Fame! He is not only an amazing coach, he is also one of the most giving, supportive, committed, and kind human beings to ever grace this world.
Way to give recognition to a VERY deserving individual!!!
Yes yes yes. Kerry has been such a gift and inspiration. Deserving of this recognition over and over again
Thank you Sid for your years of friendship and service to The CREEK! Part of the “many hands” philosophy that made WCM so special!
Kerry
Patty, I am so grateful for all the years of friendship and support that you sent my way. A lot of good water under The CREEK 🙂
This is absolutely brilliant and special and couldn’t go to a more deserving coach. Thank you Kerry for all you have taught me, my family and friends – always with a smile and sense of humor.
pat robak
Way to kind, Pat. A complete joy to have the opportunity to work with you. You’re cut from great Creeker stock!
Miss you.
Kerry
So happy and proud to know and say…Kerry is a personal friend to me and our family. He graciously wanted to help our son who had an accident and , of course, my son was able to swim again. Great person!
Jav
Thank you so much Jav! What a wonderful journey, and all aspects and all stops along my coaching career combined to get me to this moment.
God is good!
I haven’t heard about Kerry since his days in Junior College at Diablo Valley. Kerry hails from a wonderful father and mother, as well as two outstanding brothers and a sister. All were absolutely wonderful people. His father, Bob, was an exceptional athlete and he was a mentor to me in my college years. Congratulations Kerry!!
Many congratulations to Dave Cotton for finally being recognized for all the time he has spent in diving and coaching. At one time he was coaching 4 of the 9 teams in our local high school conference. I was fortunate enough to have been his coach at our area’s community college back in ‘72. Since then we have become friends, which I consider a real privilege. Bob
kerry,
Congratulations! This is great news. I am happy that I have been a member of WCM and having you as a coach for all these years.
Thank you frank. it means a greta deal!
Kerry
Congratulations Kerry ! I did not swim for The Creek but I always looked forward to chatting with you at every meet.You were always supportive of EVERY swimmer and wished us well in our events !Thank you for all your contributions to Masters swimming. A well deserved honor. Gary Brenner
Gary, Big Thanks for the shout out! I like to think that me “swimming family” extends past WCM and looks just as good in colors other than purple 🙂
All the best
Congratulations Kerry! Thanks for the 30 years of not giving up on me. It was a joy to be at the pool with you and I always looked forward to each time.
I began attending Kerry’s Walnut Creek Intensive Training Clinic in 1994. It was my swimming joy each year. For many years, it was the one Masters pool where I felt truly welcomed and included. The personal coaching was invaluable. Kerry deserves every award and more. He is a wonderful human being first and foremost and a great coach.
Congrats Kerry!! so well deserved!