After a dirt-biking accident left All-American swimmer Mike Nyeholt paralyzed in 1981, Swim With Mike Foundation co-founders Mike and Ron turned tragedy into triumph.
Together, with the help of fellow USC swimming teammates and generous donors, they have changed the lives of 310 scholarship recipients who have attended 163 universities across 47 states nationwide since Swim With Mike’s inception.
The 45th Annual Swim With Mike Is Set For April 11 — 4 Weeks From Today
The 45th annual Swim With Mike, which has provided scholarships to 322 physically challenged athletes at 163 universities across 47 states, will be held in four weeks, set for April 11 at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
We are four Saturdays away from celebrating 45 years of impact and 45 years of supporting physically challenged athletes as they overcome obstacles and pursue their dreams.
Information on this year’s event — which includes the return of the USC football team’s participation for the first time since 2019 — is available at SwimWithMike.org.
Highlights of this year’s Swim With Mike event includes:
• The return of USC’s football squad at the event.
• The annual wheelchair basketball tournament (that starts April 10).
• The Trojan Marching Band relay race and performance.
• The annual USC spirit squad biggest splash competition.
• A celebration honoring the 60th and 50th anniversaries of USC’s 1966 and 1976 men’s swimming national • championships and the 50th anniversary of USC’s 1976 women’s team.
There are 47 Swim With Mike recipients in this year’s class.
Our Story
Swim With Mike has been held annually since 1981. An event that started at USC has now blossomed to satellite sites around the country, raising more than $32 million for college scholarships earmarked for student-athletes to help them overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential.
In 1981, USC All-American swimmer Mike Nyeholt was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident that not only changed his life but led to the formation of a nationally-renowned scholarship program that changed the lives of hundreds of physically challenged athletes.
Following Nyeholt’s accident, his teammates organized a one-time fundraiser called “Swim for Mike” to raise funds for a fully equipped van for his use. However, the swimathon raised significantly more than was needed so, at Nyeholt’s suggestion, the excess funds were used to create the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund at USC.
A year later, Nyeholt—although still paralyzed—was able to enter the water with the other swimmers, so the event’s name was changed to “Swim with Mike.”
In 2001, the program was expanded to allow scholarship recipients the opportunity to attend any university of their choice, not just USC.
Today, the annual Swim With Mike event is a day-long community-building celebration and swimathon that is attended by current and former scholarship recipients, as well as supporters of the program and other guests and VIPs.
The Swim With Mike Mission
The mission of Swim with Mike Foundation is to change the lives of student athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness by providing scholarships, creating community and instilling hope and purpose.
“A drop, a ripple, a wave—join us. You can literally change a life. Together, we can do so much.” — Ron Orr, Swim With Mike Executive Director and USC teammate of Mike Nyeholt
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with Swim With Mike. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.