PHOENIX, Arizona, May 12. THE Monday edition of The Morning Swim Show pays tribute to Buck Dawson, the first executive director of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

This light-hearted video was produced by ISHOF, and includes photos of Dawson with celebrities such as Greg Louganis, Mickey Rooney and Ronald Reagan.

The show tells of his younger years in college, almost flunking out of school and serving in the Army during World War II, which earned him honors such as the Bronze Star.

After the war, he wrote about his service and later met his wife, Rosemary, who sparked his interest in swimming. He and his wife organized the Ann Arbor Swim Club and served on various swimming and water polo committees.

In the 1960s, while he was running swimming camps and living in Canada, he helped envision the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, despite not really knowing how to swim.

Dawson traveled around the world to spread the word about ISHOF and spent millions of dollars to sell the concept to others.

In the early years of the ISHOF, celebrities and dignitaries frequented the many special events held there, which were often televised across the country.

This 24-minute video features hundreds of pictures and testimonials by those touched by Dawson's generosity.