Swim With Mike is an annual event held at Uytengsu Aquatics Center on the USC campus. UCSD along with many other universities hold satellite events to raise money for the USC Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. This page is specific to the participants and supporters of the UCSD event. Swim With Mike Mission Statement: to provide financial resources for the advanced education that pav
es the way for physically challenged athletes to overcome their tragedies and realize their full potential. Established in 1981, Swim With Mike was started following what was planned as a one-time event: a Swim-a-thon organized by former teammates of Mike Nyeholt. Mike, a three-time All American swimmer at USC who graduated in 1978, ranked ninth in the U.S., 13th in the world and a competitor in the 1976 Olympic trials, was paralyzed from the chest down following a motorcycle accident in January 1981. The first event was held in March of 1981 as Swim For Mike, to raise money to purchase a specially equipped van for Mike. The Swim-a-thon was highly successful, raising $58,000; significantly more than was needed for the van. At Mike's suggestion, the excess funds were used to create the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund, the only one of its kind in the country. Since 1981 Swim With Mike has become an annual event held at McDonald's Swim Stadium located on the USC campus. Recently, the University of Connecticut, University of Hawaii, UCSD, Cal, and Stanford have held satellite Swim With Mike events to raise money for the USC Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund. Potential recipients are located through media outreach, USC community members, Swim With Mike Board members and supporters, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and the USC Admissions and Financial Aid offices. When volunteers come across information about newly injured athletes, they make initial contact to introduce the Scholarship Fund and determine the possible interest in pursuing or continuing university education.