October 23, 2018 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Now is the time to make a significant difference for the Cleveland State University Swimming & Diving program and go the extra mile. It’s is one of the single biggest factors in creating a championship environment and more importantly a Championship Result! The spanking new locker rooms of 1974 have barely been touched since the Busbey Natatorium opened.
The Men’s and Women’s Varsity Locker Rooms need an upgrade after five decades of championship use!
The Extra Mile Leader-Locker Brochure
Extra Mile Campaign – Donate or See Updates
Think back to your years on The Team for CSU Swim/Dive alums and for all others involved in a team at a high level. Obviously the usual daily task of a two or three time a day practice routine is storage of clothing, showers and other hygiene functions. But much more occurs and it is critical to the success of the Team. The Locker room is where the origins of pride, work ethic and meaningful relationships that last a lifetime occur. It’s where the unfiltered conversations and inspiriting remarks spontaneously arise by team members when not in the presence of their Coaches. It’s where Team Motivational Meetings are held when both Coaches are present prior to Meet and After Meets. ! Some of my greatest memories are in those locker rooms! It’s also a key component in recruiting and where prospective student athletes experience Viking Pride. The Sport Home is the Locker Room!
Anyone who has ever swum or dove at CSU understands that resources are limited. I always say we are swimming upstream. Even though normal maintenance and cleaning tasks are performed by the University staff, it is not possible to complete upgrades consistent with a successful program. Fortunately we have the strongest group of loyal support of any sport at CSU. We are asking for you to get back on the Diving Boards and the Starting Blocks to provide a critical missing component for the long team health of the Program we love!
For the next few weeks there will be focus on finishing strong on the Locker Room project. We already are off to a great start through generous leadership gifts by our alums. We have passed the halfway point to our goal. We will reach our goal with the help of not only our alums but team members, parents, friends of swimming/diving, and other community support.
Let us all be part of THE TEAM and continue to give opportunity for continued GREATNESS for CSU Swimming & Diving!
We’re looking for Leadership Gifts of $5,000 or more, or locker sponsorships of $1,650. Donations of any level of course are always welcome.
Here’s a direct link to the Extra Mile campaign page where you can see the status of our campaign and make your donation
Thank you so much for your support of our team and the university,
Wally Morton, Swim Coach Emeritus and Forever a Viking
November 8, 2017 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Dave Guinther received a CSU “Distinguished Alumni Award” during Homecoming October 5th, 2017. Dave is not one to easily accept the spot light and only did so to bring recognition to the Champion Campaign/Heritage Project and promote the CSU Viking Swimming & Diving program. He is a leader and makes everyone around him better for his presence.
Dave and his wife Jane invited the Heritage Committee, coaching staff, two current team members and friends to the award dinner, an amazing event that honored the 12 DAA recipients for 2017.
We are so proud of Dave and everyone who contributed to the Champions Campaign/Heritage Project as well as CSU giving day, an event where he has lead our friends, alumni, team and athletic department to the front of all other CSU colleges.
No one is more deserving than Dave Guinther for the Distinguished Alumni Award he received based on his career, community service and especially his impact on CSU Athletics. 
He exemplifies the very best of Cleveland State University.
Dave’s 3-minute thank-you video highlights his relationship with Bob Busbey, and honors those who donated their time, treasures and talents to the Champions Campaign and Heritage Project.
September 2, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
A very successful outing was hosted by Tom Smolinski’s lifelong friend Rob Hanlon for “The Cleveland State University Tom Smolinski Endowed Diving Scholarship” on August 15, 2016. The Event took place at the Buffalo Bison Coca Cola Baseball Field as the AAA Bisons took on the Red Wings. Activities included a Reverse Raffle, Silent Auction and plenty of delicious food and drink. Over 70 people attended included Kim, her daughters, Tom’s parents, CSU Head Coach Paul Graham, CSU Diving Coach Rich Karban, former Coach Wally Morton, and so many of those who loved Tom.
The Buffalo Bison Baseball Outing was an event organized to honor Tom’s Legacy and continue to grow the Cleveland State University Diving Scholarship in his name. CSU is honoring Tom by awarding two scholarships in his name for the 2016-17 school year. The recipients will be announced at the beginning of the season at the annual Splash Bash on October 1, 2016.
The Event was a spectacular success with over $6,000 being raised for the Tom Smolinski Endowment. The Endowment continues to grow as we honor the life of Tom who was one of CSU’s greatest divers. Kim and the entire Smolinski family along with the community of Buffalo have made a real difference in people’s lives as others will have the opportunity to receive a degree at CSU and participate in the sport of diving.
In case you missed the results of the Highly Successful Giving day 2016 – AND the men and women’s teams’ performances at the Horizon League Championship – you can read the February 28th email sent to friends and alumni HERE.
Hope to see you at the annual Splash Bash fundraiser – Saturday, Oct 1st at The Robert F. Busbey Natatorium. Other CSU Homecoming events are here.
August 21, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Carol and I had the opportunity to recently attend our tenth summer Olympic Games in Rio. The City of Rio de Janeiro should be commended for being the host for the biggest and best event that is on a magnitude unequalled in sports or any other enterprise. Despite monumental challenges along with negative media scrutiny they were magnificent. Everything about our experience was perfect. The people were welcoming; the mass transportation was efficient and comfortable; the venues are in beautiful settings surrounded by mountains and sea; and everything was on time. What attracts us to the Olympics is that it brings people from all over the world to celebrate in a peaceful way. We always love the culture of the host city and Rio was extraordinary.
CSU has a long history with the Olympics. It’s greatest Olympian was Bob Busbey, who was one of only four USA Swim Coaches in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Swimming is the strongest USA Sport in the Olympic Games and starts immediately after the Opening Day Ceremony. The USA Swimmers had an historic performance and exceeded all expectations. It created an energy that was contagious with all sports.
CSU Athletes and Coaches have been numerous. The greatest performance was Matt Gaffori who won the Silver in Heavy Weight Division of Greco Roman Wrestling in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Carol and I were there to see him wear his CSU Sweat Shirt as he ran around the Arena. In swimming we have had many who have been part of our program that have participated in the Olympics.
Another Olympic connection is Thiago Lazarini who swam with us in early 2000’s. He is from San Palo, Brazil and works for Proctor & Gamble in Costa Rico. In 2008 Nedim Nisic became the first active Viking swimmer in the history of our program to qualify for the Olympics. He was a Horizon League medal winner in the 100 fly as a sophomore and junior. Nedim is vice-president at Aztek here in Cleveland and was instrumental in developing the CSU Swimming and Diving Heritage Website.
Our journey this year was full of CSU connections. In 1983 the CSU Swimming & Diving Team traveled to Rio as part of an exchange program with Gamma Filho University. History professor Don Ramos established the relationship to strengthen ties with the two similar urban educational institutions. Everyone involved on our Team will never forget the amazing time we experienced in both clinics and competitions. Shortly after that Carol and I hosted two students from Gamma Filho shortly after our son was born. One was Cristina Santoni who went on to be a CSU Swimmer in the 1984-85 school year. The experience was life changing for her. After staying with us she moved into Fenn Tower and absolutely loved CSU! Her CSU/ Gama Filho University major was in Economics with an emphasis on accounting – a background that helped her a lot as she went on to be Senior Vice President of Chase Bank in Brazil. She has gone on to be a small business entrepreneur and among other things manages the Djan Madruga Sports Academy which is named for her husband who is a Olympic medalist in two sports and swam for the great Doc Councilman at Indiana University.
Cristina was our host for the Olympics and we stayed at her apartment which was perfectly situated to ride the mass transit and easily get to any venue. She and her maid Lucy cooked all our meals. Her husband Djan was the swim commentary for Fox Sports. He was a torch relay participants and was on television the entire time we were there.
We attended opening ceremonies, gymnastics, slalom canoe/kayaking, cycling, beach volleyball, and of course swimming! At swimming we spent time with former swimmer Ian Murray who was an Olympic Coach for the Seychelles. His swimming insights and analysis were right on the mark! The USA fans were everywhere and made me feel pride for our country. The true Olympic spirit creates an atmosphere where you cheer for all the countries.
We left the Rio Olympics a bit early to attend Amanda Pallija and Wesley Barnhart’s wedding in North Lawrence, Ohio. Carol and I love swimmer weddings and Amanda who graduated in 2014 is one of my favorites. (Everyone is my favorite) Swimmers both near and far from New Zealand, South Africa, Sweden attended. To Carol and me it was our embrace of all nations and what the Olympic Spirit is all about! What a way to conclude our Olympic experience!!!!!
CSU Swimming and Diving is forever!
February 19, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Join me on #csugivingday on Wednesday Feb. 24. As we honor Tom and support the TEAM I love! When you participate on CSU Giving Day, you make the Swim-Dive Team strong!
Tom was a great teammate,roommate, and most importantly, a great friend. He had an amazing quality of always having a positive attitude, which helped us overcome adversity during our college experience. Tom was very passionate about education, and his major in communications in particular. He was truly a student first, even with all of the time and energy spent with the Team that won back to back Conference Championships. Graduating from college meant a lot for Tom. We graduated together in 1999 and were roommates at the time – renting an apartment in Euclid together. I will always remember celebrating after receiving our Bachelor’s degrees!
Tom was very excited about his internship with the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper in the Summer of 1998. While many of us struggled through our internships/summer jobs, Tom truly enjoyed his and was very passionate about his experience- I was jealous.
I will never forget how excited Tom was about getting his college education and being a member of a Team that never lost a Conference Championship. Amazing!
Dmitri Ponomarev, CSU ’99
February 15, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
I sincerely ask you to support the Tom Smolinski Scholarship on Giving Day on Wednesday February 24! By doing so you will provide more scholarships for the CSU Swim-Dive Teams. Please read why it means so much to me. #csugivingday
During our time at CSU, we were taught how to exhibit toughness and a will to win on a daily basis. No individual on this planet defined those qualities more than Tom!
As a personal friend since our high school days in the Buffalo NY area, I wanted to share a quick memory of Tom.
First off, Tom was a legend in the western New York diving community for several years. As such, when I got to know him, he was an established “star” who I was a little intimidated to meet.
Our first meeting took place during a dual meet between our rival high schools. Up to this point in time, I did not appreciate what athleticism a diver could display and Tom was the first I had seen with his skill level. By the end of that first personal encounter I was Tom’s biggest fan. We immediately became good friends and ended up running in the same social circles for the rest of our high school days.
At the end of our senior seasons, he and I had the good fortune to be roommates at the NY State swimming and diving championships. It was there that I got to truly see what a fun spirited kid Tom was. The University of Rochester pool deck lit up when Tom was on deck. He had an amazing ability to connect with swimmers, divers and coaches from the entire state. It was no surprise that Tom was being heavily recruited by major NCAA division 1 programs.
Unfortunately Tom had a little too much fun that last high school season and decided to focus on his studies at a local community college rather than continue his diving career. We continued to stay in touch when I went off to study and swim at CSU in the Fall of 1993.
Tom went on to have a great career at CSU as a key part of two Conference Championship Teams! He was a winner in every way.
February 5, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
It was an honor to dive with Tom Smolinski at Cleveland State University. He was a great diver that kept us entertained and focused. We showed up every day because as a teammate Tom made it fun and pushed us to be our best.
Tom described diving to others in practical terms “You have to be nuts to dive.” He explained the concept of climbing a ladder and then throwing all your weight at the end of a fiberglass board. “While the board launches you in the air, you are expected rotate and twist as many times as you can before crashing into the pool. You always hope for a soft landing but most times it leads to an inevitable beating.”
Diving practice with Tom was a thrill all by itself. If you weren’t holding your head from a near concussion, you were holding your gut from laughing so hard at one of his jokes or stunts that he contrived for the sole purpose of distracting us from physical and mental anguish. Most of us would have loved to end the daily beatings inherent with the sport, but Tom would keep us from self-imploding at practice.
Tom Smolinski was someone that was always there to pick us up and make us laugh. He never let us quit, teaching us how to be resilient – which made many of life’s daily beatings a little more manageable.
Bogdan Kozul, CSU ‘98
February 2, 2016 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Dear CSU Viking Diving & Swimming Alums and Friends,
It is with great sadness that we share the loss of Tom Smolinski, a proud CSU Viking Diver and class of ’99 graduate. Thanks to the commitment of many, however, his legacy can live on with the Tom Smolinski Endowed Diving Scholarship.
We have an incredible opportunity to honor Tom and his family along with strengthening the Cleveland State University Women’s and Men’s Swim-Dive program by providing scholarship assistance to the team. CSU Giving Day 2016 provides this opportunity.
Kim Smolinski with daughters in The Robert F. Busbey Natatorium during Heritage Graphics installation – August, 2015
Did you know the Tom Smolinski family led by his widow Kim and her two young twin daughters has raised almost $30,000 in order to establish the Endowment? The Robert F. Busbey Charitable Foundation will provide a matching grant on Giving Day for all donations up to $5,000. The money will not only help the Divers but the Swimmers as it will enable more scholarship money to be awarded to all team members.
Here’s how you can get involved and make a difference. On Wednesday February 24 (GIVING DAY) visit http://givingday.csuohio.edu to make your gift. Click on the ATHLETICS tab then be sure to specify the Tom Smolinski Endowed Diving Scholarship as the recipient of your donation.
- The Tom Smolinski Endowed Scholarship will make a difference for Swimming and Diving.
- Let’s honor a two time Horizon League (MCC) Team member who loved CSU and put family first.
- While the amount of the donation is important, even more urgent is to show you care by participating on Giving Day at any donation level.
Your simple act of pushing the donation button on CSU GIVING DAY Wednesday February 24 will show everyone how much Swimming and Diving friends and alumni positively impact the University. No matter what the amount of your gift, the fact that you engaged and gave is what’s most important.
Help us honor Tom and support CSU Swimming and Diving. Please “PUSH THE BUTTON” on GIVING DAY, February 24th.
Vikings Forever,
Jeff Arnold, Former Head Diving Coach (1981-2002)
December 10, 2015 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
The Holiday season is upon us and my heart bursts (no pun intended) with pride as I experienced the impact of the Heritage Project on CSU Athletics. My experience during late November when I attended the Magnus Cup Swimming and Diving Invitational and the Horizon League Championship game of Women’s Volleyball was phenomenal and something I wish to share with you.
The Robert F. Busbey Natatorium has never looked better. As I looked down upon our world class aquatic facility from the spectator area above the new graphics visible in all directions , the Video Interactive Kiosk, the state of the art Score Board, the beautiful blue water and the history of our program were evident everywhere. The Wow Effect was in full bloom as spectators, coaches, swimmers and divers all remarked how exhilarating the appearance of the pool impacted us all. I had the opportunity to swim between sessions and what amazed me most was how you could see all the graphic displays in the water and the motivational impact that was felt. I literally glided through the water with a feeling of joy. It is an amazing feeling knowing how much time, effort and expertise came together to meet the many goals of the Heritage Committee.
Between sessions I also attended my first Horizon League Championship Event in Woodling Gymnasium. The CSU Viking Women’s Volleyball Team dominated Valparaiso University to win the crown! Pride, Enthusiasm, Discipline, Athleticism and Focus were evident in the winning performance. I am impressed with Coach Chuck Voss and his staff with the high level of performance obtained by their Team.
The CSU Swimming and Diving Team had Championship performances in breaking four pool and school records and winning many events. The Men won the Magnus Cup and both teams showed great improvement. I was Viking Proud! Coach Graham and his staff are to be commended.
The Heritage Project is about Connecting, Recruiting, and providing support for the program we love. The support can be displayed not only in monetary donations but providing resources to help all those who are and have been in the program through career development and the many other critically important factors needed to make a bright future available.
Our next focus is promoting the Tom Smolinski Endowment for Diving on CSU Giving Day on Wednesday February 24, 2016. On that day you will be able to give as little at $5 (more if you like !) with just a click of the mouse or touch of the finger! Tom, a former two times Conference Champion Diver (98/99), recently tragically died in an automotive accident. His wife Kim along with her two young daughters has raised over $25,000 dollars.
The Busbey Foundation has made a commitment to match all gifts given up to $5K. We plan to donate this match on Giving Day. More than just raising funds for Tom’s endowment we would like to also see Swimming and Diving alumni the most involved giving CSU alumni in terms of the number of Giving Day donations. With hundreds of alumni we CAN demonstrate our TEAM IS FOREVER attitude.
As we approach the Giving Day Date we will continue to remind all to get involved at whatever level you can afford. The most important factor is that you CARE! Help us help reach other alumni. And most important on Giving Day “Just push the button” !
Carol and I wish everyone the happiest of holidays! May you truly be touched by the love and joy that surround us! Vikings Forever!
September 22, 2015 ·
Wally Morton
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Uncategorized
Homecoming weekend has begun at Cleveland State University. Alumni and friends will celebrate the completion of the Display of the history of the Fenn/CSU Swimming & Diving Program along with the rich past of the Fisher/Busbey Aquatic Facilities dating back to 1931. The Heritage Project represents much more than graphic displays, however. It is a living breathing process of building on the past, to inspire the current Teams and provide the resources for excellence in the future.
Over the past 84 years Fenn College/ Cleveland State University have impacted aquatics sports in a profound way. Let me mention just a few of those pioneering moments.
One of the finest and most beautiful swimming pools in the nation was built on the fifth/sixth floors of an early twentieth century downtown iconic high rise building named Fenn Tower. Fenn College evolved from the YMCA and made learning to swim mandatory for its students. The requirement to swim continued through the early days of CSU into the 1980’s. The Fisher Pool was the site of the first televised swim meets in the late 40’s/early 50’s. It was the golden age of Fenn Fox Swimming without scholarships and yet record winning performances along with national recognition.
In 1973 the “fastest pool ever built” was opened on CSU’s concrete campus. It was part of the two pool complex now called The Robert F. Busbey Natatorium. The facility has hosted numerous regional, national and international events in synchronized swimming, water polo, swimming and diving. The NCAA National Championship Meets resulted in the highest percentage of American/US Open (world records in yards) in the history of swimming to this day. In 1977 it is the only pool that had fastest times ever swam in every event in one meet.
The CSU /Busbey Natatorium was the first pool where the Chinese National Team competed in Diving outside it country in 1981. The RFB Natatorium has continued to be a focal point of aquatics to this day. The Viking Swimming and Diving Program is one of the top mid major programs in the nation which has resulted in more wins than any other sport at CSU with twenty one Conference Championships since 1973. Even more amazing is the incredible academic and community outreach awards that have been achieve over the years. The experiences gained have resulted in alumni that have gone on to greatness in every career imaginable.
Here’s a short history of how the Heritage Project originated. Although we had a proud program with many accomplishments only the record board showed our history – and it had been falling apart in recent years. In the early 90’s I had a dream of displaying all our Team photos, Conference Championships, and updating the Colorado Display Board to give us the latest technology. The Champions Campaign was begun in 2009 under the direction of Joe Stockwell which resulted in a new record board, conference championship banners and the framing of both the old and new display boards. All the money was donated by alumni and friends.
From the Champions Campaign a new effort was launched under the leadership of Dave Guinther to display our history. We name this final phase of the Champions Campaign the Heritage Project. Dave’s innovative skills based on his background in busines technology has resulted in an interaction with friends and alumni of CSU Aquatics to celebrate our past, inspire current teams and provide additional resources for the future.
The Heritage Project is spectacular! The goal was to create THE WOW FACTOR and it has been accomplished! But it is more than a graphic display. The Heritage Committee comprised of Dave Guinther, Wally Morton, Joe Stockwell, Jim Smith, Tom Fattlar, Jim Starrett, Mike Lehto, Paul Graham, Renee Adam and John McCreery, have set up a process to connect with alums and friends. It has tapped into the knowledge and expertise of those who care about CSU. It has connected our alums/friends with each other and with the current participants along with top level administrators. It identifies our values, vision and goals for the future. It creates job position networking and resources to inspire those currently involved as students on our teams. It gives the opportunity to give back to the program through Endowment Donations and other forms of giving. The goal was to be the most active alumni group as defined by the percentage and amount of giving at Cleveland State University. It underscores Swimming & Diving as a relevant and essential program for the present and future.
There is much history and many more benefits of the Heritage Project that I have not mentioned. Join us this weekend on Friday September 24 and Saturday September 25 for CSU Homecoming and Swimming and Diving Heritage Weekend.
If for some reason you cannot be with us in person then go to csuvikings-swim-dive-heritage.com to stay connected with past teammates and current team. The unveiling of the Heritage Project on Saturday will be a conclusion to a job well done and the beginning of new successes to come.
Viking Strong and Vikings Forever! Wally Morton
