Swim With Mike
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Since 1981, the foundation has grown and continually helped challenged athletes by providing financial resources for advanced education.
The Swim With Mike Foundation's Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund is supported by yearly swim-a-thon and other fundraising events across the country. Swim With Mike (SWM) and the Physically Challenged Athletes Scholarship Fund (the Fund) were inspired by University of Southern California (USC) All-American swimmer, Mike Nyeholt, who suffered a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in a motorcycle accident after graduation. Education is the ultimate opportunity for a physically challenged athlete to overcome their tragedy and realize their full potential. To date, 271 athletes have received scholarships at 142 collegiate institutions from the east coast to the west coast all the way to Hawaii. SWMF awarded 52 scholarships for the 2021-22 academic year, 227 of these went to students with a SCI. Alumni include doctors, lawyers, engineers, actors, and teachers who are now ambassadors for the SCI population through representation, service, and hiring decisions. Every year SWMF identifies potential scholarship recipients, raises money for the Fund, awards scholarships, and tracks recipient progress. Throughout the year potential scholarship recipients across the country are identified using professional and educational networks; many are referrals from alumni, doctors, and physical therapists. Individuals are contacted by SWMF volunteers who introduce the program and determine if the person is interested in pursuing or continuing a university education. Prospective recipients complete a detailed application that covers educational history, extracurricular activities, financial need, and a personal statement of athletic history, disability story, and educational goals. Scholarship applications and individual interview results are reviewed by a Board of Directors before final decisions are made at an annual June meeting. Award amounts are based on financial need, merit, other sources of aid, tuition costs, number of qualified applicants, and funds available for distribution. Once awarded, scholarships are renewable through graduation as long as eligibility is maintained, the recipient participates in SWMF functions, a financial need still exists, and funds are available. There is no other scholarship program like this for athletes who have suffered a life changing injury or illness. Fundraising efforts start July and continue through June of the following year. Funds raised during that period are used for scholarship awards in Fall. Swim With Mike held it's 41st Anniversary Celebration on April 9th, 2022 at the Uytengsu Swim Stadium at USC.
09/14/2026
We’re so excited to cheer on Swim with Mike alum Ezra as he takes the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars! 💃🕺
From scholar to star, Ezra continues to inspire us with his determination, talent, and incredible spirit. We can’t wait to watch him shine! 🌟
Tune in in just TWO DAYS and show Ezra some love! ❤️
09/03/2026
📚That back-to-school feeling! We’re excited to reconnect with our scholars, see where they’re at, and hear about all they’ve been up to this summer! Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and making an impact.
Donate to Swim With Mike today: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/swim-with-mike-
foundation-donate
08/14/2026
From a medical mystery to making athletic dreams come true. 🧡
At just 13 years old, Sydney Fowler’s life changed in an instant. A sudden spinal cord injury left her paralyzed from the chest down, and the future she had imagined as an athlete suddenly looked completely different.
But Sydney didn’t stop being an athlete. She found adaptive sports and discovered a whole new world of possibilities — from water skiing and CrossFit to wheelchair tennis and handball. Today, she’s competing at the collegiate level, chasing new goals, and inspiring countless others along the way.
Her story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the path changes, but the dream doesn’t have to. 🎾
We are incredibly proud to call Sydney one of our Swim with Mike scholars. Her determination, courage and willingness to keep trying new things embody exactly why we believe in supporting young athletes as they pursue what’s possible — no matter the obstacles in their way.
Sydney’s journey is far from over. And neither are her dreams. Read Sydney’s inspiring story in PEOPLE and join us in cheering her on.
Help us support more young athletes like Sydney. Your donation to Swim with Mike helps support student-athletes facing life-changing challenges.
💜 Donate today: https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/swim-with-mike-foundation-donate
08/07/2026
What an incredible day on the course! ⛳
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for Golf with Jake. Thanks to our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, the event was a tremendous success filled with great golf, great company, and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Every swing, every smile, and every conversation helped support the mission of Swim With Mike—providing scholarships to student-athletes who have experienced life-changing injuries.
We’re so grateful to everyone who made this special day possible. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!
07/22/2026
From Southern California to South Carolina— community goes wherever you are💛
Sydney and Rachel recently ran into each other at a South Carolina farmers market and grabbed coffee together. Rachel is wrapping up her internship at the University of South Carolina, and it was such a fun surprise to see these connections happen across the country! ☕🌎
07/21/2026
There’s still time to join the 3rd Annual Golf with Jake! 🏌️♂️🏌️♀️
Help us fill the field and reach our $50,000 goal to fully endow the Jake Olson 1880 Scholarship through the Swim With Mike Foundation.
Every golfer, sponsor, and supporter makes a difference. It’s not too late to register or become a sponsor!
Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-golf-with-jake-tickets-1990794217094
Let’s finish strong and make a lasting impact!
07/17/2026
How’s your pickleball game been this summer? 🏓☀️
Our Swim With Mike alum, Zack, is serving up championship-level success! Alongside his partner Jason, Zack competed at the USA Pickleball Wheelchair National Championships in Colorado Springs and brought home 🥇 Gold in Wheelchair Doubles!
Congratulations to our champions!
07/01/2026
“My favorite thing about Swim With Mike is definitely the community and how supportive everyone is. It’s been great connecting with other scholars that also prioritize exercise and education while managing a disability that requires a lot of continuous attention/energy. I have also really appreciated how understanding/empathetic Neil and Nancy with SWM have been, which has made me feel seen in how many daily challenges are involved in being a student athlete living with a spinal cord injury.” -Eden Schroeder
Eden with her sweet dog Chippy (from Canine Companions) at her white coat ceremony which marks the completion of her first year in the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program at Mercer University. She also paraswims in her free time and will start practicum rotations in the fall! Congratulations Eden!
06/12/2026
⛳️ Registration is officially OPEN for the 3rd Annual Golf with Jake! ⛳️
Grab your foursome, call your friends, rally your colleagues, and help us fill the course for an incredible day of golf and impact.
This year we’re excited to be at South Hills Country Club, creating an even bigger opportunity to raise meaningful funds for the Swim With Mike Foundation through the Jake Olson and 1880 Capital Endowed Scholarship.
We can’t wait to see you there and make this our biggest event yet!
Sponsorship opportunities are still available. If your company or organization would like to get involved, please reach out to [email protected]
Link to event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/3rd-annual-golf-with-jake-tickets-1990794217094?aff=oddtdtcreator
05/31/2026
“I feel very fortunate to have the Foundation’s support. School has always been something that I have found pleasure in as I enjoy the challenges of learning new things and applying those to life. I am looking forward to achieving my academic goals and helping other newly injured athletes along this journey.” - Alex Uppenkamp
Alex graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Environmental Engineering. We can’t wait to see all that you do next, Alex!
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Post Office Box 51000
Pasadena, CA
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