The Ripple Effect
The impact of one person makes waves.
The Swim with Mike Foundation changes the lives of many
by spreading hope, inspiring courage, and providing the
gift of education to physically challenged athletes.
Join the team today!
Join Us!
At the 43rd Annual
Swim With Mike
A special thanks To Our Presenting Sponsor
A Message from Jersey Mike’s CEO ->
Harnessing the Power of the Ripple Effect
Our commitment to physically challenged athletes is to ensure that these individuals have the resources and support to thrive, and have an equitable and promising future. Our differences are our strengths, and together, we impact many.
After a dirt-biking accident left All-American swimmer Mike Nyeholt paralyzed in 1981, Swim With Mike Foundation co-founders Mike and Ron turned tragedy into triumph. Together, with the help of fellow USC swimming teammates and generous donors, they have changed the lives of 295 scholarship recipients who have attended 152 universities across 47 states nationwide since Swim With Mike’s inception.
“The mission of Swim with Mike Foundation is to change the lives of student athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness by providing scholarships, creating community and instilling hope and purpose.”
A drop, a ripple, a wave—join us, you can literally change a life. Together, we can do so much.
-Ron Orr
"Swim with Mike made it possible for me to pursue a graduate degree."
uCLA '24
The Class of 2023-2024
Tragedy is not what defines lives, it is the hope, inspiration, and competitive spirit that define the scholarship recipients in the Swim with Mike Foundation family. Each of our scholarship recipients are on a journey to reach their full potential by pursuing their professional passions, athleticism, and personal goals through the university experience.
Recipient StoriesBuilding the Wave of Impact Nationwide
40+ YEARS IN THE MAKING
A ripple in the pool by one swimmer magnifies to a wave with a team. The wave of impact the Swim with Mike Foundation has built through the help of donors, volunteers, and alumni recipients over 40 years offers a unique opportunity for physically challenged student-athletes to join a family of support while pursuing education and recreating a future after life-altering accident or illness.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT CONTINUES TO EXPAND
Creating a difference in one life impacts all of those around that person: family, friends, and teammates. The Ripple Effect magnifies as the outreach grows.
Donate to the Cause
The gift of education offers physically challenged student-athletes a unique opportunity to start a fresh chapter in their lives. Often light comes after adversity, and your gift illuminates
a path forward.
Make a donation today!
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Apply for a Scholarship
Education empowers recipients to achieve self-sufficiency and to define and refocus their lives. We encourage student-athletes who have experienced catastrophic injury or illness to apply for a scholarship, and join the Swim with Mike community.
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Start a Fundraising Campaign
Create a wave of support by building your own campaign. Recruit and inspire others to join you to magnify the impact of the Ripple Effect. Start with an idea, spread the word, and change a life!
BeginSee the impact we’ve made together
43
Years
$29
Million
295
Recipients
152
Universities
47
States
In The News
Join Us For The 43rd Annual Swim with Mike!
Join us at the 43rd Annual Swim with Mike to be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center on the campus of the University of Southern California. We look forward to seeing you!
Alum John Siciliano in NY Play
Swim with Mike alum and USC School of Theater graduate John Siciliano is on the boards in New York City, acting in New Light Theater Project's documentary play titled, WAR WORDS.
Catch The Wave Fall 2023 Edition
In this latest edition of The Wave, we introduce the 11 new scholarship recipients who are joining 32 returning scholars for the 2023-24 academic year. Also, we introduce the Legacy Circle giving program and see what recent USC graduate, Alex Ruiz, is up to this fall.