The Masters Swimming Ontario SWIMS Award

Brian Croker - Out Front

In the world of Masters Swimming there are those who wish to toil in anonymity and there are those who stand up and make themselves noticed and one of those swimmers is Brian Croker.

Brian began his involvement with Masters Swimming in Ontario in the early 1980's administering the Wintario grants. Yes, in the good old days there was money available from government agencies for travel to championship meets and Brian managed that process and that money. Progressing from there, Brian served as an elected Director of the Board for 12 years beginning in 1982, fulfilling the role of Treasurer for 2 years. Brian continues to support us today in the (paid) volunteer position of Registrar.

In addition, his presence at Board meetings and his longtime involvement provides an important historical perspective to our evolution.

And make no mistake, Brian has been an important part of that evolution. Brian guided Ontario as President for 3 years beginning in 1984, intimately involved in laying the groundwork that led to MSO's incorporation and separation from Swim Ontario in 1987.

Furthermore, Brian spent a total of 6 years on the MSC Board of Directors, managing the financial matters as Treasurer for 2 years, acting as Vice President for 2 years and finally balancing the needs of the other provinces as they evolved and the interests of the country wide organization as President for 2 years.

Brian's presence at the national level led to his involvement with the (now defunct) Masters Swimming International as the North American Representative, representing Canadian, American and Mexican swimmers at the international level.

Brian is also heavily involved with the International Gay and Lesbian Association and was an integral part of the bid that brought the IGLA Championship to Toronto in 2001 and an integral part of the Meet Management Committee that worked so diligently to make those championships a success. The IGLA meets are open to all swimmers and hundreds of swimmers from MSO attend.

Brian has chosen to avoid the shadows and stands front and centre in our sport as a swimmer who has supported us, represented us and led us.