Joan Campbell

Joan Campbell, a 2007 Dorothy Donnelly Service Award recipient, was awarded a Florida LMSC Service Award on February 13, 2010 at the "Ninth Annual Florida LMSC Social and Awards Banquet" for her years as Florida's Senior Games Liaison and other volunteer activities that further U.S. Masters swimming. She received a plaque that said: "Joan K. Campbell - In Appreciation for 10 Years as Senior Games Liaison for the Florida LMSC 2001-2010 and continuing contributions to U.S. Masters Swimming." Congratulations Joan!

We asked Joan to tell us her story, in her own words:

My swimming career started at age 59 at the Senior Olympics in Connecticut in 1989 with the enthusiastic support of Dorothy Donnelly, who became my best friend and mentor. I was encouraged to become active in all facets of the swimming community from my local club, which at the time was Connecticut Masters, through the LMSC and on to the national organization.

I was not a swimmer as a child, but since my involvement I have made Top Ten in well over 300 events and earned All-American five times. Currently I hold the National YMCA record for the 1650 in the 70-74 age group and the 3000 USMS record for the 75-79 age group. I prefer swimming the long events but like to swim everything but open water—I'm partial to that black line down the center. Masters has given me good health and a zest for living as well as a host of friends all over the world.

I have served on the USMS Finance Committee since 2001, the Insurance Committee for a short time, and am currently involved with the Marketing Committee as well as Finance. I am also the Senior Games Liaison for the Florida LMSC and currently compete for SUN Masters, a chapter of the Florida Aquatic Combined Team (FACT). I volunteer regularly for both my local chapter and club.

I retired in 1995 as an executive with Reliance Insurance Company in New York and have been married for 54 years to my husband, Jim, who has supported both my careers (swimming and business). We live in Palm Harbor, Fla., and have four married children and five grandchildren.