Swimmers of African Swimmers of African DescentDescent

Maritza Correia, 2004 Olympic silver Maritza Correia, 2004 Olympic silver medalist medalist

Since this presentation several Swimmers have added their Since this presentation several Swimmers have added their names to the rich history of swimmers of African Descent. If names to the rich history of swimmers of African Descent. If

you are interested in a fun project contact me at you are interested in a fun project contact me at eshanks2207@gmail.com. It needs to be updated.. It needs to be updated.

Are the Best African American Are the Best African American Swimmers Playing Basketball?Swimmers Playing Basketball?

Eric H. Shanks, MPAEric H. Shanks, MPA

Are the best Swimmers of Are the best Swimmers of African Descent Playing African Descent Playing

Basketball?Basketball?• Tim Duncan - NBA MVP Started Tim Duncan - NBA MVP Started

playing Basketball only after his swim playing Basketball only after his swim team pool was destroyed by hurricane team pool was destroyed by hurricane Hugo.Hugo.

• Kimani Ffriend - Former Husker Kimani Ffriend - Former Husker Basketball player from Kingston, Basketball player from Kingston, Jamaica “discovered” basketball after Jamaica “discovered” basketball after competitive swimming.competitive swimming.

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

The International swimming Hall The International swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) has a list of “85 of Fame (ISHOF) has a list of “85 significant events in swimming significant events in swimming history…” Number 3 on the list history…” Number 3 on the list

reads: "An African slave, reads: "An African slave, shipwrecked off Martinique in shipwrecked off Martinique in

1679, swims in a storm and finally 1679, swims in a storm and finally reaches land after swimming for reaches land after swimming for

sixty hours.”sixty hours.”

The First Gold MedalThe First Gold Medal

Number 66 on the ISHOF list Number 66 on the ISHOF list reads: “Anthony Nesty of Surinam reads: “Anthony Nesty of Surinam

becomes the first swimmer of becomes the first swimmer of African descent to win an Olympic African descent to win an Olympic Gold Medal when he wins the 100 Gold Medal when he wins the 100 meter butterfly at the 1988 Seoul meter butterfly at the 1988 Seoul

Olympics.” Olympics.”

The First English Channel The First English Channel CrossingCrossing

Victor Malwa, age 27 Victor Malwa, age 27 ZambiaZambia• August 28, 2005 Zambian swimmer Victor August 28, 2005 Zambian swimmer Victor

Malwa swam across the English Channel.Malwa swam across the English Channel.

• Malwa is the first African to complete the feat.Malwa is the first African to complete the feat.

• He swam across the channel in just over 13 He swam across the channel in just over 13 hours. hours.

• The Swim will go into the Guinness Book of The Swim will go into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first crossing by a World Records as the first crossing by a Swimmer of African DescentSwimmer of African Descent

Competing on the World Competing on the World StageStage• Although no African American qualified for the Although no African American qualified for the

Olympic Trials before 1964, the prominence of Olympic Trials before 1964, the prominence of Swimmers of African descent has steadily Swimmers of African descent has steadily increased on the international stage .increased on the international stage .

• There are at least seventeen elite swimmers of There are at least seventeen elite swimmers of African descent who have competed internationally African descent who have competed internationally since 1988.since 1988.

• By 2000 there were at least a half-dozen swimmers By 2000 there were at least a half-dozen swimmers of African descent at the US Olympic Trials. of African descent at the US Olympic Trials.

• Most of them have won gold medals in the Most of them have won gold medals in the Olympics, Olympic trials, NCAA Championships, or Olympics, Olympic trials, NCAA Championships, or the World University Games. the World University Games.

• All of them competed on NCAA Division I teams. All of them competed on NCAA Division I teams.

Elite Swimmer of African Elite Swimmer of African DescentDescent

•Byron Davis - 12 Time All-American. Former World Record Holder. Top 4 all-time 14-16.Byron Davis - 12 Time All-American. Former World Record Holder. Top 4 all-time 14-16.

Elite Swimmers of African Elite Swimmers of African DescentDescent

• Tyler Paige – USAF Academy. Holds Colorado records 11-12, Tyler Paige – USAF Academy. Holds Colorado records 11-12, 13-14 & 15-16 1990-93. Resides in Omaha, NE.13-14 & 15-16 1990-93. Resides in Omaha, NE.

• John Ebido – University of Nebraska. Swam in the 1984 John Ebido – University of Nebraska. Swam in the 1984 Olympics for Nigeria. Resides in Lincoln, NE. where he Coaches Olympics for Nigeria. Resides in Lincoln, NE. where he Coaches Age Group.Age Group.

• Bryan Butts – 3-Time Nebraska State High School Champion. Bryan Butts – 3-Time Nebraska State High School Champion. Top 20 all-time 14-16. Top 20 all-time 14-16.

• Anthony Nesty – U. of FL. First Olympic Gold Medal by a Anthony Nesty – U. of FL. First Olympic Gold Medal by a swimmer of African descent 1998.swimmer of African descent 1998.

• Anthony Ervine – U. of CA. Won the Gold Medal at Sidney Anthony Ervine – U. of CA. Won the Gold Medal at Sidney (2000). Top 25 all-time 14-16.(2000). Top 25 all-time 14-16.

• Sabir Muhammed – Now Retired. Former World Record Holder.Sabir Muhammed – Now Retired. Former World Record Holder.• Darryl Washington – Pitt Univ. 2004 Big East Freestyle Darryl Washington – Pitt Univ. 2004 Big East Freestyle

Champion.Champion.• Michael Norment – U. of GA. 1996 Olympic Trials.Michael Norment – U. of GA. 1996 Olympic Trials.• Niesser Bent – Cuba. 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Gold Medal Niesser Bent – Cuba. 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Gold Medal

World University Games.World University Games.

Elite Swimmers of African Elite Swimmers of African DescentDescent• Cullen Jones - Member World Championship team. World Cullen Jones - Member World Championship team. World

University Games record. Gold Medalist 4x100 Free Relay University Games record. Gold Medalist 4x100 Free Relay 2008 US Olympic Team.2008 US Olympic Team.

• Brielle White - University of Virginia finished fourth in 100 Brielle White - University of Virginia finished fourth in 100 backstroke at 2004 Olympic Trials. backstroke at 2004 Olympic Trials. 

• Keiko Price – UCLA. Olympic hopeful. NCAA All American.Keiko Price – UCLA. Olympic hopeful. NCAA All American.• Alison Terry – UC Davis. Gold Medalist World Univ. Games. Alison Terry – UC Davis. Gold Medalist World Univ. Games.

1996 Olympic Trials.1996 Olympic Trials.• Leah Martindale – U. of FL. 1996 and 200 Olympics Leah Martindale – U. of FL. 1996 and 200 Olympics

(Barbados)(Barbados)• Maritza Correia - 2004 Olympic silver medalist. World Maritza Correia - 2004 Olympic silver medalist. World

University Games’ champion.University Games’ champion.• Haley McGregory - University of Texas. Born in England, Haley McGregory - University of Texas. Born in England,

now a U.S. citizen.now a U.S. citizen.• Tanica Jamison - University of Texas graduate and two time Tanica Jamison - University of Texas graduate and two time

national champion. national champion.

Comparing Participation Rates Comparing Participation Rates USA Swimming clubs, YMCA clubs & NCAA USA Swimming clubs, YMCA clubs & NCAA

TeamsTeams

• Participation of African American Swimmers seems Participation of African American Swimmers seems to increase at the college level.to increase at the college level.

• USA Swimming has the lowest African American USA Swimming has the lowest African American Participation of the three competitive swimming Participation of the three competitive swimming organizations.organizations.

• There appear to be nearly 2 YMCA African There appear to be nearly 2 YMCA African American Swimmers for every 100 White American Swimmers for every 100 White Swimmers.Swimmers.

• The YMCA has a higher frequency of African The YMCA has a higher frequency of African American Participation than USA Swimming.American Participation than USA Swimming.

• Swimming is not the least frequented sport of Swimming is not the least frequented sport of African American college athletes.African American college athletes.

USA Swimming Outreach USA Swimming Outreach ProgramProgram

In 2004 USA Swimming adopted an In 2004 USA Swimming adopted an Outreach Membership program that offers Outreach Membership program that offers discount national memberships to discount national memberships to “underrepresented and economically “underrepresented and economically disadvantaged youth in the United States.disadvantaged youth in the United States.

But, it is still up to local swimming But, it is still up to local swimming organizations to assist Outreach members organizations to assist Outreach members with club dues and swim meet with club dues and swim meet registration fees.registration fees.

African American African American Participation Participation

USA Swimming MembershipUSA Swimming Membership

In 2004In 2004

African American members were African American members were

.5% females, and .4% of males. .5% females, and .4% of males.

Of 232,361 members 2,020 (or .87%) Of 232,361 members 2,020 (or .87%) were African American.were African American.

Greensboro, NC County Greensboro, NC County YMCAYMCA

Counting Heads at the Counting Heads at the YMCAYMCA

A non-scientific manual count and A non-scientific manual count and estimate of African American estimate of African American swimmers in YMCA swim team swimmers in YMCA swim team photographs suggests that combined photographs suggests that combined African American male/female African American male/female participation is about 1.8 %.participation is about 1.8 %.

African American African American Participation Participation

USA Swimming versus YMCA USA Swimming versus YMCA SwimmingSwimming

When comparing African American When comparing African American combined Male/Female participation combined Male/Female participation

the YMCA Swimming is double that of the YMCA Swimming is double that of

USA Swimming.USA Swimming.

NCAA Participation Rates NCAA Participation Rates African American SwimmersAfrican American Swimmers

NCAA Statistics show that when NCAA Statistics show that when compared to White participation, the compared to White participation, the participation rates of African participation rates of African Americans nearly doubles when Americans nearly doubles when swimmers reach the collegiate level. swimmers reach the collegiate level.

Source:Source:

NCAA “Ethnicity Report” 2003-2004NCAA “Ethnicity Report” 2003-2004

USA Swimming and USA Swimming and NCAA ParticipationNCAA Participation

• USA Swimming reports a total 2004 USA Swimming reports a total 2004 Membership of nearly 250,000.Membership of nearly 250,000.

• NCAA Swimming reports a total 2004 NCAA Swimming reports a total 2004 participation of 300,000.participation of 300,000.

Why the Increase Why the Increase at the College Level?at the College Level?

• Are African Americans more likely to Are African Americans more likely to swim in college?swim in college?

• Why are African American Women Why are African American Women more likely to swim in college?more likely to swim in college?

• What other collegiate sports outrank What other collegiate sports outrank swimming in African American swimming in African American participation?participation?

Other NCAA Sports in 2004 Other NCAA Sports in 2004 Outranking SwimmingOutranking Swimming

African American MalesAfrican American MalesSwimming Swimming 110110

LacrosseLacrosse 136136

GolfGolf 166166

WrestlingWrestling 352352

TennisTennis 384384

Cross CountryCross Country 1,2331,233

SoccerSoccer 1,0931,093

Total in all sports 39,285 Total in all sports 39,285

Other NCAA Sports in 2004 Other NCAA Sports in 2004 Outranking SwimmingOutranking Swimming

African American Females African American FemalesSwimming Swimming 127127 RowingRowing 130130

GolfGolf 166166 BowlingBowling 239239 SoccerSoccer 702702

SoftballSoftball 1,0101,010 VolleyballVolleyball 1,0821,082Cross CountryCross Country 1,2441,244

Total in all Sports 17,234Total in all Sports 17,234

Are the Best Swimmers Are the Best Swimmers of African Descent of African Descent

In other sports?In other sports?

• Sports with the most participants have Sports with the most participants have the best athletes.the best athletes.

• How often have you heard a sports How often have you heard a sports commentator extol an athlete’s commentator extol an athlete’s versatility?versatility?

• How do we know that Tiger, Venus and How do we know that Tiger, Venus and Alan Iverson are in the right sports?Alan Iverson are in the right sports?

Myth BustingMyth Busting

• MythMyth Blacks are made for Blacks are made for sprinting. Therefore, they are more sprinting. Therefore, they are more dense and less buoyant.dense and less buoyant.

The TruthThe TruthAmerican Style Swimming is geared American Style Swimming is geared

toward sprinting. That is what the toward sprinting. That is what the majority of American swimmers excel majority of American swimmers excel

at.at.

More Myth BustingMore Myth Busting

• MythMyth Swimming is too expensive. Swimming is too expensive.

African American Participation in African American Participation in Swimming is outranked by several Swimming is outranked by several other sports which are equally (if not other sports which are equally (if not more) expensive.more) expensive.

And Even More Myth And Even More Myth BustingBusting

• MythMyth Blacks are not built to swim.Blacks are not built to swim.

Many of the best swimmers are well Many of the best swimmers are well over six feet tall. Many of the best over six feet tall. Many of the best Basketball Players are over six feet Basketball Players are over six feet tall.tall.

Where to LookWhere to Look

• http://www.Swimmingcoach.orghttp://www.Swimmingcoach.org• http://www.Blackathletesportsnetwork.nethttp://www.Blackathletesportsnetwork.net• http://www2.ncaa.org/http://www2.ncaa.org/ • Click on “Academics and Athletes” then click on “Leadership and Diversity”Click on “Academics and Athletes” then click on “Leadership and Diversity”• http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ http://www.usaswimming.org/USASWeb/ Click on “Swim Clubs” then click Click on “Swim Clubs” then click

on “Outreach”on “Outreach”• http://www.ymcaswimminganddiving.org/ http://www.ymcaswimminganddiving.org/ Click on “YMCA Team Links”Click on “YMCA Team Links”• http://factfinder.census.gov/http://factfinder.census.gov/• Click on “Ranking Tables 2004” then click on “Percent of People Who are Click on “Ranking Tables 2004” then click on “Percent of People Who are

Black”Black”• Twelve Years a Slave: Solomon Northup (b. 1808)Twelve Years a Slave: Solomon Northup (b. 1808)

Narrative of Solomon Northup, a Citizen of New-York,Narrative of Solomon Northup, a Citizen of New-York,Kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and Rescued in 1853: Kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and Rescued in 1853: Electronic Edition. Text scanned (OCR) by Christopher Gwyn Electronic Edition. Text scanned (OCR) by Christopher Gwyn Text encoded by Natalia SmithText encoded by Natalia SmithFirst edition, 1997.First edition, 1997.ca. 700Kca. 700KAcademic Affairs Library, UNC-CHAcademic Affairs Library, UNC-CHUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1997.1997.