The Edie and Dan Gruender Award was established by the Board in 2003, in honor of the Gruenders who together founded and sustained Arizona Masters Swimming for its first 30 years (1973-2003). This award is given annually to an individual (member or not of Arizona Masters Swimming) who has demonstrated commitment and outstanding volunteerism to the LMSC.
Recipients
- 2021 – Barb Sloan
- 2020 – Liz Hobbs & Jeff Commings
- 2019 – Lindsey Urbatchka
- 2018 – Brigid Bunch
- 2017 – Barry Roth
- 2016 – Doug Adamavich
- 2015 – Doug Springer
- 2013 – Jeff Baird
- 2012 – Mark Rankin
- 2011 – Paul & Laura Smith
- 2010 – Katy James
- 2009 – Collen Jennings-Roggensack & Kurt Roggensack
- 2008 – Max Von Isser
- 2007 – Ron Johnson
- 2006 – Judy Gilles
- 2005 – Jim Stites
- 2004 – Mark Gill
- 2003 – Edie & Dan Gruender
A Brief History of USMS and AZ LMSC
By Helen Bayly, AZ LMSC History Committee, fmr. member, USMS History and Archives
Committee
In Arizona, Edie Gruender is known as the Mother of AZ Masters Swimming. Arriving in Phoenix in 1960, Edie had looked for swimming-water for herself and her children – swimming at the YMCA once weekly, and with the AAU. Through that, according to the February 1977 Arizona Republic, Edie was approached to run the first Masters swim program in 1973. The rest is history.
Edie Gruender organized meets, contacted swimmers, from 1973 to 1993 – all without computers, but by postcards and phone calls, and with the support of her husband Dan (while trained as a teacher, and while raising five children). In 1989 USMS honored the two Gruenders with its highest tribute, the Ransom J. Arthur Award, for their shared extraordinary efforts to help bring fitness swimming to adults, and adults to swimming for fitness, camaraderie and competition. Both Edie and Dan have held national office in USMS; Dan was USMS President for four years, 1990 thru 1993 inclusive.