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The following article appeared in the June 15, 1999 Virginia Masters Swim Team newsletter.
Each year USMS selects one person as the recipient of the Ransom Arthur Award. This award is the most prestigious award given by Masters Swimming. In reality, it is the only award given by USMS. Other awards may be given by a committee in recognition of some specific accomplishment, but as the Rule Book states: "This award is given annually to the person who has done the most to further the objectives of Masters Swimming." It is truly an honor for Jim to receive this award. The award was presented during the Short Course National Championship in Santa Clara.
As most of the VMST members know, Jim has served as VMST President, LMSC Chairman, USMS Vice President, and USMS Committee Chairman. Nomination for this award is open to anyone connected to Masters Swimming. The LMSC (Local Masters Swim Committee) must endorse the nomination. Following is the letter of endorsement written by Linda McCowan, our LMSC Chairman, with the assistance of Jeanne Crouse.
"On behalf of the LMSC for Virginia, I write to endorse the nomination of Jim Miller for the Ransom Arthur Award. I wish to emphasize two points that might not be readily gleaned from the black-and-white recitation on the Nomination Form.
First, Jim has been and continues to be dedicated to Masters swimming on the critical local level. He first began coaching Masters in 1981 in Richmond, Virginia. His first team was comprised of 10 swimmers and the program offered three practices a week. He continues to coach that Masters team, which competes under the aegis of Virginia Masters, to this day. The program now offers 12 practices a week to approximately 200 swimmers. The longevity and vitality of this local program is due in no small part to Jim's efforts.
Second, Jim's background in medicine, swimming and coaching has placed him in a unique position. A Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians with a sub-specialty in Sports Medicine, Jim has been certified as one of 8 team physicians for USA Swimming's international team for the next Quadrennium. As detailed in the Nomination Form, Jim also plays other critical roles with the Olympic and USA Swimming Teams. In these roles, he consistently works to educate those in the Olympic family about the abilities and great potential of Masters swimmers.
For these efforts and for the many actions reflected in the Nomination Form, we ask that Jim Miller receive the Ransom Arthur Award."
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