The University of Southern California's "Swim With Mike" has awarded $935,000 collectively to 61 disabled athletes through its Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship. Paving the way for physically challenged athletes to overcome their disability and return to school, the scholarship, now in its 35th year, will provide tuition and financial assistance toward housing and books at USC and other universities.
The 35th annual Swim With Mike benefiting the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund will be held April 11 starting at 8 a.m. inside the Uytengsu Aquatics Center .
"To not be able to play the sport you love can be devastating, but my friend (USC senior associate athletic director) Ron Orr started the 'Swim With Mike' swim-a-thon to prove that there is a support system to moving on, especially when it comes to education," said Mike Nyeholt, an All-American USC swimmer who was paralyzed in 1981. "It has been gratifying that the funds are allowing us to do just what the mission of the Physically Challenged Athletes Fund is, and that is to help athletes overcome their tragedies...no matter whether you're a Trojan, a Buckeye or a Golden Bear."
Click here for information on all the Swim With Mike events this year.
Here is Mike Nyeholt telling the inspiring origin story of this great cause:
