NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, November 16, 2023

NORTH CAROLINA SWIMMING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2024 HONOREES
 ​

Cary, NC: The North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame announced today its Class of 2024 Inductees. The honorees are Kathleen Baker, Tom Brewer, John Calvert, Kathy McKee, and Eric Schwall.

The class of 2024 includes a World and Olympic Champion, two North Carolina State athletes one of whom later also excelled as a Masters swimmer, a highly-decorated coach, and a long-standing meet director and official. “I am excited about this class,” said Ceil Blackwell, Co-Chair of the North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame. “Our honorees reflect a wide range of significant aquatic achievements including swimming, Masters swimming, water polo and major service to aquatic sports in coaching, officiating, and administrating.”

Erika Braun, the other committee Co-Chair, had this to say, “Going through the selection process this year reinforced for me the strength of the aquatic community in North Carolina. Through the tough times of the pandemic our aquatic family has remained resilient and has either achieved or contributed at a very high level. Our North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame recognizes these achievements and contributions, and I cannot wait until our Banquet and Induction Ceremony this spring.”

​The North Carolina Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be inducted on Saturday, March 2 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh Durham Research Triangle.

ROWDY GAINES, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST and NBC BROADCAST COMMENTATOR TO SERVE AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Three-time Olympic gold medalist, Rowdy Gaines will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Induction Ceremony. Rowdy, known as “The Voice of Swimming,” is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and is now a swimming analyst for the NBC television network. Originally from Lake Mary, Florida, Rowdy attended Auburn University where he was an eight-time NCAA Swimming Champion and a 22-time NCAA All-American. A former Swimming World Magazine World Swimmer of the Year, Rowdy is a highly-renowned motivational speaker who will help make this year’s NCSHOF Induction truly special for the 2024 Inductees, their guests, and fans.

Tables of 10 can be purchased for $2,000, which includes sponsorship of the event, and half tables which also include sponsorship can be purchased for $1,000. Individual tickets are $100 each. Tables, half tables and individual tickets can be purchased on the home page of the NC Swimming Hall of Fame website at www.ncswimhalloffame.com. 

Media Contact: Hill Carrow, NC Swimming Hall of Fame Committee, 919.678.1651w, hcarrow@trianglesportscommission.com