I received a call yesterday (July 10) letting me know that Willard “Wink” Lamb will be inducted into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame (MISHOF) this year!!! This is an immense honor.
I have been going back and forth with MISHOF trying to get a waiver of one of the requirements for induction which states that all nominees shall have participated in the sport for a minimum of 15 years and covering at least four different age groups. Willard has only been swimming 13 years, but they agreed to grant the exception given his stellar resume and advanced age!
The induction ceremony will be at the USAS Convention in St. Louis in September. Wink will be in great company as also in this year’s induction class are Olympians Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines IV and Rick Colella. I called Wink yesterday to give him the news and then booked him a flight and room. He and Doug, his son, are rightfully very excited about the news and upcoming trip!
Congratulations, Wink! I tremendous and well deserved honor!
We are so proud of Willard and all of his accomplishments! It has been an honor to know him personally for the past several years. An inspiration to all of us!!