SELECTION CRITERIA

NOMINATION FORMS and corroborating information must be submitted to MDSI Board Member John Cadigan for consideration. 

HONOR SWIMMER 

USA Swimming registered in Maryland Swimming for three or more seasons. A nominated swimmer shall be retired from swimming for at least two years.
Selection is based on the following:

• World Record(s)
• Olympic Medals(s)
• American Record(s)
• Olympic participation
• National Senior Titles
• NCAA careers after MD
• National Senior Placement
• National Age Group/Junior National long-standing milestones coupled with contribution and leadership as swimmer and contributor

HONOR TEAM

Significant group contributions helping to set a model for Maryland Swimming in a particular period.
Selection is based on the following:

• National Senior Team Titles
• National Junior Team Titles
• National Collegiate Team Titles
• National Secondary School Team Titles
• National YMCA Titles
• Span of local team dominance in any of the above categories

HONOR COACH

Significant record and participation in swimming not less than twenty years. Milestones, innovations, and multiple swimmers, teams, or instructional contributions.
Selection is based on the following:

• Number of swimmers with Hall of Fame credentials
• Coached swimmers for three years or more
• Number of teams with Hall of Fame credentials
• Number of all-American NCAA Division I schools

HONOR CONTRIBUTOR

Swimming official, administrator, and media whose sacrifice and time are worthy of acclaim. An innovative leader in the organization of swimming and no less than twenty years of contributions to Maryland Swimming.
Selection is based on the following:

• National level administration at USA Swimming
• Innovations which raise all swimming i.e., introducing electronic timing, administrative reforms, or program development in Maryland Swimming
• Local level leadership in Maryland Swimming
• Instructional and out-reach activities that benefit Maryland Swimming
• Long standing professional or financial contributions to the Maryland and/or USA Swimming

Maryland Swimming Hall of Fame Inductees - 2019 

IAN JARYD SILVERMAN

Ian first learned to swim at Meadowbrook, joined a summer league swim team at age 6 at Padonia Park and then year round swimming at the Towson Y. Born with a mild form of cerebral palsy which affected his legs, Ian was unable to walk on his flat feet. When he won his first heat winner in summer league, he was hooked. At age 8, Ian began swimming for North Baltimore Aquatic Club and became a stand out age group swimmer winning multiple Maryland LSC swimming championships, was named Maryland Swimmer of the Year numerous times and notably broke Michael Phelps 50 yard freestyle record. He swam interscholastically first at Loyola Blakefield, then for his final three high school season at McDonogh School helping the Eagles win their first championship since 1939. Repeatedly selected All American for 500 Yard freestyle, he won the event at championships 3 years in a row. In 2012, Coach Brian Loeffler of Loyola University introduced Ian to Paralympic Swimming. Classified in April of 2012 as an S10 swimmer, he quickly qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Team representing the United States for the London Games. On September 5, 2012 Ian broke an American and Paralympic record en route to a gold medal in 400 Free. Ian dedicated his victory and all subsequent accomplishments in swimming to his best friend and teammate, Alec Cosgarea, who had tragically lost his life in an auto accident July 9. Continuing to train with NBAC and compete in able-bodied swimming, Ian continued his success at the 2013 Paralympic World Championships, winning gold, silver and bronze. In 2014, he broke a long sought after world record in 400 Free at Para Pan Pacs. Shortly afterwards, he began studies and swimming at the University of Southern California. USC won the Pac-12 title in 2015 and Ian won the Joe Curreri Spirit Award, named for fellow USC, NBAC and Loyola Swimmer. In the Spring of 2015, Ian was de-classified as S10 swimmer, meaning he was no longer considered a Paralympic athlete. With the goal of the Rio Games in 2016 snatched away, Ian chose to undergo surgery which would allow him to walk correctly for the first time. He was reclassified in June of 2016 with the Paralympic Trials weeks away. Ian qualified for the Rio Games before relinquishing his place on the team and retiring from the sport.

JAMES P. “JIMMY” THOMAS

Taking his first strokes in the Magothy River at age 3, Jimmy Thomas could not have imagined how far swimming would take him. According to the Baltimore Sun he was splashing around in the pool at Baltimore City College, where he was serving as swim team manager, when he caught the attention of Coach Ernst Marx who recognized Jimmy’s natural ability and encouraged him to join the team. Under his coach’s watchful eye, he became the best backstroker to come out of Baltimore or Maryland. A perennial high school champion, he honed his skills in the summers at Lakewood Swim Club while also frequently getting some laps in at Meadowbrook. Finishing City’s four year program in three years, he enrolled at the University of North Carolina where his star would shine four for years. At the height of his career, he held 10 American records, four NCAA marks and dozens of Southern Conference (collegiate) records. Selected to represent Team USA to travel to Tokyo and Japan, Jimmy also turned down offers to compete in Australia and New Zealand as well as a trip to the 1951 Pan American Games because of his commitment to academics. The first man ever named an NCAA All American in four events, he was named team captain in his senior year. His bid to make the 1948 Olympic team fell short, but at AAU Nationals and elsewhere he defeated ‘48 Olympian Bill Smith of Hawaii and Ohio State, won five of seven races in the Summer of 1950 against ‘48 Olympic Champion Allan Stack and broke an American Record in 330 yard IM held by 1936 Olympic great Adolph Kiefer. In 1951 he was tied with Stack for the number one AAU World ranking in backstroke. At his UNC graduation in 1951, he won the Patterson Medal awarded to the class’s top athlete, only the second swimmer to date to be so honored. A second bid for the 1952 Olympics also fell short, primarily due to his enrollment at the Johns Hopkins Medical School. Dr. Thomas practiced medicine in his wife’s native West Virginia, until retiring to Florida. The couple now lived in a retirement community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

MEGAN MELGAARD

If a swimmer could choose where to start their life, Mission Viejo, California would certainly be one of the top choices. The daughter of Connie and Colonel Steve Melgaard, Megan began her odyssey at six months with MV Natadores in a “Mommy & me” swim class. A transfer to the Pentagon for her father found Megan taking her first summer league strokes at age 4 in Northern Virginia and beginning a year round program at 7 at Solotar. Another cross country transfer landed Megan back at Mission Viejo in 1988 now competing for the Natadores. 1991 brought the family back East, this time to Severna Park and the Navy Juniors Swim Team with coaches Carol Chidester and Ken DeGruchy. Here Megan made Junior Nationals at age 13 and broke a Maryland LSC record. Her interests beyond the pool led her to take flying lessons beginning at age 15. She began training with Sid Burkot at Retrievers Swim Club and in 1996 won the Female High Point Award at Junior Nationals, winning the 200 Free and placing second in the 400, 800 and 1500 Free. She also qualified for Senior Nationals where she placed 9th in 200 Free swimming for Coach Scott Ward. Megan continued her career at the University of Florida swimming to 2nd in 500 Free at SEC’s and a fifth place finish in 1650 at NCAA’s. In 1999, Megan represented the United States at the Pan American Games, winning a silver medal on 4×200 Free Relay. Megan swam at Olympic Trials in Long Beach in 2000, was a member of SEC Championship team and selected as Co Captain of the Gators as a senior. A multiple time All American awardee, Megan also made Dean’s List three times. She got her pilot’s license at age 21. Megan played water polo while getting her MBA, and in the XTERRA 2004 World Championships in Triathlon, was second in her age group and set the female swim course record. Megan has been a US Masters National and World Champion, competed in adventure and endurance races, as well as coaching athletes in swimming, running, biking, boxing, football and triathlon. Appearing in the film The Guardian, Megan became a stunt driver, certified in Action Film Scuba Diving, a television producer, starred on a reality show and even launched a swimwear company. The spirit of Atalanta, the goddess of adventure, must have been hovering near Rancho Mission Viejo in January of 1980, because Megan Melgaard got a double dose. Megan lives in California and is the Director of Events for Swim Across America.

GREG BURGESS 

Greg is a native Baltimorean who, like so many, followed an older sibling to the pool. His father’s railroad job moved the family to Richmond, where at age five he began swimming. In 8th grade, another move brought the family back to Baltimore where Greg began swimming at North Baltimore and made Junior Nationals. Yet another transfer, this to Jacksonville, Florida found Greg at The Bolles School, where as a freshman he qualified for Senior Nationals and Olympic Trials as a sophomore. At the 1988 Olympic Trials, Greg finished 11th in 200 IM, breaking the NAG Record. Greg was an integral part of Bolles Florida State and National Championship seasons during his tenure. Greg continued his career at the University of Florida where he was 4 time NCAA champion, 7 time SEC champion, 2 time SEC Swimmer of the Year, 1993 NCAA Swimmer of the year while garnering 17 NCAA All American honors. On the national and international scenes, Greg’s accomplishments were equally as impressive. Twice breaking both the 200 and 400 Yard IM American Records, he was a 2 time National Champion in 200 Yard IM. In 1991 at the World Student Games in England, Greg won a gold and a silver in 200 IM and 400 IM respectively. In 1992, Greg qualified for the US Olympic Team in 200 M IM for the Barcelona Olympics where he won a silver medal. A relay gold at Pan Pacs in Japan in 1993 was followed in 1994 by a silver in 200 M IM at the FINA World Championships in Rome. 1995 brought a gold and a silver at Pan America Games in Argentina. A second berth on the US Olympic Team in 1996 in Atlanta led to a seventh place finish in the finals. After his success representing TEAM USA in swimming, Greg joined the United States Marine Corps serving overseas in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East as well as stateside. Inducted into the Marine Corps Hall of Fame in 2010, Greg was twice Chief of Mission and Coach for US Armed Forces at the World Military Swimming & Lifesaving Championships as well as serving as coach for the U.S. Marines Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment Swim Team in 2012 & 2014. Greg lives in Florida with his wife Erika.