Men's Swimming & Diving Celebrates 110 Years of Excellence
1/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
NEW YORK - Friends and alumni of Columbia men's swimming and diving team gathered tonight in Low Library on the campus of Columbia University in the city of New York to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the program. Attendees ranged from the program's oldest known alum, Dr. Joseph Kuh ?36CC, to the most recent graduates, the class of 2008.
The celebration, given by the Columbia Men's Swimming and Diving Advisory Committee, opened with welcoming remarks from committee member Christopher Beach ?91CC. After welcoming the group, Beach introduced the evening's first speaker, Dr. Kuh. Kuh, who was born in New York City and grew up across the street from Columbia's campus at 116th and Broadway, spoke briefly about his time at Columbia. He was followed by Frank Ranhofer ?59CC, who spoke about former coach Ed Kennedy, and the transition the program has made since his time on the team.
Len Galluzzi, who coached the 1983-84 team, talked about his time at Columbia, and how he came to Morningside Heights, before presenting a plaque to the 1983-84 Dual Meet Champions who were in attendance.
The night closed with remarks from the current swimming and diving coaches. Gordon Spencer, the head diving coach at Columbia, who is in his 26th season with the Lions, spoke briefly before introducing the head coach of swimming, Jim Bolster. Bolster, who is in his 25th year at Columbia, spoke at length about his time with the Lions, and celebrated the group before him. After presenting a plaque to the 1988-89 Dual Meet Champions, Bolster touched on three themes (luck, loyalty and love), closing with these remarks:
“One thing is true,” Bolster said. “Over the years, coaches have changed, and the names in the stories are different, but the fact that you all loved your time with Columbia swimming rings true.”
The men's swimming and diving team will host Brown, Saturday January 31 in Uris Pool for their Homecoming meet at 4 p.m.
