University Southern California Trojans
USC's `Swim With Mike' Hits The $1 Million Mark
April 27, 2007 | USC Athletics
April 27, 2007
A private donation helped push total funds raised to $1,002,000 at this year's (April 14) Swim With Mike swim-a-thon at USC.
A donor, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted Ron Orr, co-founder of Swim With Mike and associate athletic director at USC, to put the foundation over the $1M mark.
The Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund is supported by corporate and private donations, and the annual "Swim With Mike" swim-a-thons (www.swimwithmike.org).
Swim With Mike began as a fund-raiser, "Swim For Mike," to purchase a specially equipped van for three-time All-American USC swimmer, and recent NCAA Inspiration Award winner Mike Nyeholt, who became paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 1981. At Nyeholt's suggestion, the excess monies raised that year were used to aid other athletes overcome paralyzing or physically disabling injuries or illnesses, and return to school. With the help Orr, Nyeholt's teammate, "Swim With Mike" was born the following year when Nyeholt returned to swim laps.
The Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund boasts an impressive recipient and alumni list, ranging in age from 18 to 41, pursuing careers from cinematography to business, medicine and law. Athletes have represented 20 different sports on levels ranging from high school junior varsity to NCAA Division 1. Since 1981, Swim With Mike has raised more than $7 million for 63 Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarships for students who have overcome life-challenging accidents or illnesses. The fund is the only one of its kind allowing students to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degrees at USC and, beginning four years ago, other college campuses.
