Sid Cassidy, Head Coach and Aquatic Director for the Saint Andrew’s School and Aquatics in Boca Raton, Florida is special. He is One in a Thousand!
When asked why he wanted to join the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s One In A Thousand Club, Cassidy said, “I have a thousand reasons. I am totally committed to the mission of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. What is going on at the Hall of Fame right now is unprecedented. The new facility will come online next July (2021). It is the history, the people, and the vision that motivates me to support it. I believe in it and hope that my contribution will inspire others. I encourage 999 more people to join the club!”
Join the One in a Thousand Club by helping ISHOF on a monthly or one-time basis.
For larger corporate sponsorships and estate-planning donations, please contact us at customerservice@ishof.org.
About Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy
Stephen A. “Sid” Cassidy grew up swimming first for Kinston Swim Club & East Carolina Swim Association in the mid 1960’s and by the late 60’s his family moved to Delaware where he met his swimming and life mentor Bob Mattson. He flourished under the Hall of Fame coach and earned numerous awards representing Wilmington Aquatic Club before graduating from Salesianum School in 1974. He matriculated at North Carolina State University where he earned eight individual ACC Conference titles and was named NCAA D1 All-American three times.
Sid began his open water swimming career in the mid-1970s as a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol where he enjoyed a four year undefeated streak in the Atlantic Ocean. He swam marathon races in the USA, Canada and Egypt and in 1979 finished the year ranked as the #4 globally as a professional marathon swimmer. On September 1st of that same year Sid began his full-time professional coaching career at his Delaware home club and quickly earned American Swim Coaches highest accreditation as a Level V coach.
Sid first moved the Florida in 1983 and started working with collegiate athletes at the University of Tampa as an assistant coach from 1983 – 1985 while serving as the head coach of the Greater Tampa Swimming Association USA Swimming Club.
Sid began to serve USA Swimming as both a coach and administrator of open water swimming in 1983.
In 1991 he accepted a position to serve as both coach and swimmer on an historic English Channel Relay that to this day still claims the title of fastest ever in three categories. From 1991 through 1996 Cassidy served as the National Team Head Coach of Open Water Swimming and often led USA’s top competitors to events worldwide.
In 1996 USA Swimming asked him to move into a political position as a member of FINA’s Technical Open Water Swimming Committee to further the goal of Olympic inclusion. In 2006 Cassidy was tapped as Chairman of the Committee and his leadership is viewed as instrumental in turning the Olympic Marathon dream into a reality. In the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the very first 10,000-meter Olympic Marathon Swim took place under the direction of Chairman Sid Cassidy and it received rave reviews from the swimmers, coaches, spectators, media and most importantly, the IOC. Sid continues his duties with FINA as Vice Chair of the TOWSC Committee through today.
He was recognized by USA Swimming in 2009 with their most prestigious award and acknowledged here.
In addition to all of his accolades and accomplishments in the open water swimming world, Cassidy has consistently coached teams and individuals to success at every level of swimming. More recently he has four times been named Florida High School Coach of the Year during his stint as the Head Coach and Aquatic Director at Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton. Sid has coached many athletes at the National and Olympic levels and continues to do so presently.
Immediately before moving to Boca Raton, Sid spent seven years as Aquatic Director for the City of Atlantic City, New Jersey and was the founding father of the Atlantic City Aquatic Club. A team the Cassidys created from scratch and in seven short years won the prestigious Middle Atlantic Junior Olympic Boys Team Title.
From 1993 – 1998 Cassidy was the Head Coach of the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving teams at the University of Miami. During that time both squads enjoyed significant success. Cassidy’s men’s teams set a high water mark for UM by capturing a Big East Conference Championship in 1995 and finishing in the top ten at the NCAA Division I Championships four consecutive years.
Cassidy also coached collegiately at James Madison University (Head Coach Men 1992-93) and Florida State University (Assistant Coach 1985-92). He was named both ECAC and CAA coach of the year in 1993. During the seven seasons coaching at FSU, Sid coached his first national open water champion and worked with more than thirty All-American swimmers. He was named Recruiting Coordinator as the school enjoyed some of their finest aquatic achievements.
Sid was married in 1992 to the former Kara Keenan, who is now the owner/operator of the Florida Swim School – our much heralded and award-winning sister company. Kara and Sid have two children who both graduated from Saint Andrew’s School, Quinn (’13) and Kate (’17).
The International Swimming Hall of Fame wants to know if you are one in a thousand? We think you are! Show how special you are and become a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame’s “One In A Thousand” Club. Help keep the International Swimming Hall of Fame moving forward toward a new vision and museum by joining now!
During these unprecedented times, the ISHOF Board is calling on every member in the aquatic community to make a small monthly commitment of support to show how special you are and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
“Our goal is simple. If we get 1,000 people to simply commit $10, $25 or $50 per month, we will generate enough revenue to go beyond this Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis.” – Bill Kent – Chairman of the ISHOF Board
“Those that believe in our vision, mission, and goals can join us in taking ISHOF into the future and be a part of aquatic history.” – Brent Rutemiller – CEO and President of ISHOF
Since 1965, ISHOF has been the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. ISHOF’s vision for the future is to build a new museum and expand its reach by offering its museum artifacts digitally through a redesigned website.
The ISHOF Board of Directors is calling on all members of the aquatics community to make a small monthly commitment to show their dedication to aquatics and how special the International Swimming Hall of Fame is to everyone.
About ISHOF Take a Virtual Tour
The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) museum opened its doors to the public in December of 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That same year, the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) – the governing body for Olympic aquatic sports – designated the ISHOF museum as the “Official Repository for Aquatic History”. In 2018, Sports Publications Inc, publisher of Swimming World Magazine and its multi-media platforms, merged with ISHOF to expand the museum’s reach and impact. Today, ISHOF’s vision is to be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports. Show your support for the sport of swimming by becoming a member of ISHOF.
ISHOF Vision Statement
To be the global focal point for recording and sharing the history of aquatics, promoting swimming as an essential life-skill, and developing educational programs and events related to water sports.
ISHOF Mission Statement
To collaborate with aquatic organizations worldwide to preserve, educate and celebrate history, showcase events, share cultures, and increase participation in aquatic sports.
Architectural rendition of Hall of Fame Aquatic Center that is currently under renovation.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, incorporated in the State of Florida. Contributions to ISHOF are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. ISHOF’s tax identification number is 59-1087179. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR FROM THE WEBSITE, www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. You can find out more about us on guidestar.org under International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc.
For more information please contact:
Brandi West, Marketing Director
brandiw@swimmingworld.com
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