International Swimming Hall of Fame Poised for Greatness

A Voice for the Sport: International Swimming Hall of Fame Poised for Greatness

Commentary by Brent Rutemiller, CEO and Publisher of Swimming World Magazine. 

For those who have not been following events surrounding the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF), please let me bring you up to date. It was announced last year on Nov. 3 that Swimming World would merge operations with the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Over the past 11 months, much progress has been made to consolidate these two important institutions. A major event took place in August 2018 when Sports Publications, International—Parent Corporation of Swimming World—transferred its stock to the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The transaction brings more financial stability to ISHOF and allows the transition of Swimming World Magazine subscribers to become ISHOF members, and Swimming World advertisers to become ISHOF sponsors.

The inclusion of Swimming World properties into ISHOF’s portfolio creates new opportunities and new products that will elevate ISHOF. Significant upgrades to the museum are already underway, including the conversion of parts of the Henning Library into a television studio for new multi-media programming and products. Offices are being upgraded, and new Swimming World staff will relocate to Fort Lauderdale.

The stock transfer was predicated on two other major events that directly affected ISHOF. The most significant event was the announcement that the City of Fort Lauderdale will invest $27 million to renovate and upgrade the aquatic center, which will begin reconstruction as early as March of 2019 and should be completed in July of 2020.

As a result of the upgrades, there has been much interest in major events returning to Fort Lauderdale on a national and international basis. The infusion of new dollars for the facility has created excitement for the city and ISHOF that will surely extend to upgrades in the museum and its displays.

The month following the city’s $27 million approval to renovate the aquatic center, ISHOF and the Fort Lauderdale City Commissioners came to terms on a 30-year lease, ensuring that ISHOF remains permanently attached to the aquatic center. Within that agreement, the city has agreed to work with ISHOF to revert the name of the aquatic center back to the International Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatic Center with the intent of finding dollars from a presenting sponsor.

So, now that three strategic actions have taken place surrounding the International Swimming Hall of Fame, ISHOF is poised to fulfill its true mission. However, renovation, a long-term lease and the merger with Swimming World only establishes a strong foundation. It is up to everyone in the swimming community to build on this momentum to make things even better!

ISHOF’s leadership and board are now turning their attention to establishing a new vision on how it will display, archive and preserve the rich history of aquatic sports. And with any new idea, dollars will have to be obtained in order for any vision to reach its fruition. Look for ISHOF to set a new and exciting course, and in the meantime, please consider becoming a member of ISHOF and donating to help us preserve the history of aquatic sports.