Neuburger Elected to Swimming Hall of Fame Chair
INDIANAPOLIS, May 22. FOLLOWING in the footsteps of legendary Indiana University coach James "Doc" Counsilman and Olympic gold medalist Frank E. McKinney, Jr., Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) President Dale Neuburger has been elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). Both Counsilman and McKinney served in the same role previously.
Serving as Vice Chairman of the ISHOF since January 2002, Neuburger's two-year term as chairman begins Jan. 1, 2004. He will succeed John Ebert, who has been in the volunteer leadership position for the past 18 months. A member of the Board of Directors of the ISHOF since 1998, Neuburger will oversee ISHOF governance, manage the organization's Board of Directors and work with ISHOF President Dr. Samuel J. Freas as an advisor for all ISHOF initiatives and activities.
Neuburger has been President of ISC since 1993. Since 1979, ISC has hosted more than 400 sporting events of national and international significance. Neuburger also serves as Vice President of the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA), the international swimming federation, and President of United States Aquatic Sports, the national federation recognized by FINA.
He was President of USA Swimming from 1998-2002 during the Sydney Olympic Games that saw 33 medals won by the United States team. He currently is Co-Chairman of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) International Relations Committee that oversees the New York City bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame was established in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in 1965, with Johnny Weismuller as Founding Chairman of the Board. It is the international showplace for aquatic sports, containing the world's largest collection of aquatic memorabilia and the single largest source of aquatic books, manuscripts and literature. More than 40 displays and exhibits highlight the achievements of the greatest swimming athletes in the world. As the worldwide focal point for swimming, the International Swimming Hall of Fame advances educational programs on water safety and fitness.
Indianapolis will host the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships at Conseco Fieldhouse from October 7-11, 2004. The International Swimming Hall of Fame will provide displays and historical materials to enhance the spectator experience, and it is expected that many Hall of Fame inductees will be in attendance at the first world championship in swimming to be held in the United States.