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 44th Annual Swim With Mike - April 5, 2025

Click below for highlights from the 2nd Annual Jake Olson & 1880 Capital Golf Classic, June 3, 2024

Golf with jake highlight reel
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Harnessing the Power of the Ripple Effect

THE IMPACT

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 310 scholarship recipients who have attended 157 universities across 47 states nationwide since Swim With Mike’s inception.

THE HISTORY
Mission Statement

“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 introduced me to a special community."

allison mckernan
university of san diego '26
meet the current scholars

The Class of 2024-2025

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 Stories

Building 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.

join the movement

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!

Donate Now

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.

Apply

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!

Begin

See the impact we’ve made together


44

Years

$30

Million

310

Recipients

156

Universities

47

States

In The News

Mike Nyeholt Hero of the Game

Swim with Mike Co-Founder and namesake receives the Hero of the Game Award at the USC-Wisconsin game on September 28, 2024, before a cheering crowd of 74,118.

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Don't Miss Award-winning Swim With Mike Documentary

An award-winning documentary made its debut with recognition at the Portland International Film Festival 2020 as an Audience Award Winner, Best Documentary Short-Film. The film was directed and edited by Paul Joseph, and produced by Loretta Abdun-Nur Joseph, Mark Haapala, and Richard Joseph.

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Alum and Board Member Natalie Buchoz

Swim with Mike alum and board member Natalie Buchoz - "When you know this world is a temporary assignment, you will find beauty in the darkest moments and can go into them knowing the light will always lead you through." Watch her Instagram reel "Reborn"

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