Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame to Recognize Latest Induction Class
On Friday, April 17, the latest class of inductees into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame will be celebrated. Here is a look at the honorrees.
Keith Bell – Lives swimming; having never missed a day of swim training since the 1980’s. Considered the “Father of Swimming Psychology”. Instrumental in developing Central Texas masters as a coach and swimmer (Holds 33 Masters World titles, 2 World records and 64 National records). His innovative thinking and expertise, as not only a sports psychologist, but an author, speaker, swimmer, coach, open water swimming, and overall swimming enthusiast have allowed him to share unique and valuable perspectives which have impacted tens of thousands of Texas swimmers, coaches, parents and sport leaders and hundreds of thousands internationally.
Stephen “Mac” McDonald – Since the 1970’s Coach McDonald has shepherded the sport of water polo in Texas and contributed nationally to the sport. He adapted the first interscholastic water polo rulebook for NISCA, established the Texas Swimming Coaches Association (TISCA) Water Polo Committee and contributed heavily to the establishment of water polo as an official UIL sport. He is recognized as a 5-time Texas Water Polo Coach of the Year. For his contributions the Houston ISD Aquatic Championship facility was named the McDonald family Aquatic Center “The Mac”.
Mark Naftanel – Started diving at age 9 with the Texas Diving Club in Austin. After winning 2 state High School diving titles Naftanel became the most decorated individual athlete in Texas A&M history, winning 8 Big XII titles, seven All-American citations and represented the U.S on the national team. After graduating summa cum laude from A&M and Duke University Medical School he completed his Dermatology residency in Ann Arbor Michigan.
Kirk Stackle – Competed for the University of Texas from 1986–1990, where he became a three-time individual NCAA Champion and 14-time All-American. His proudest accomplishments were leading Texas to NCAA Team Championship victories in 1988, 1989, and serving as team captain in1990. On the international stage, he represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Games, the 1990 Goodwill Games, and the 1991 World Championships. Today, Stackle continues to give back to the sport as a coach in the Dallas area and as the owner of Stackle Swim Technique and Training, where he works with swimmers of all ages and backgrounds—including age-group, collegiate, professional, and masters swimmers and triathletes—helping people discover a lifelong love of the water and the physical and mental health benefits it brings.
Lifetime Achievement Recipient
Jeanette Chase – A lifelong Texan since 1938, Jeanette started teaching lifeguard lessons in her teens and after watching Esther Williams’ movies fell in love with Synchronized Swimming. She joined the Shamrock Hilton Corkettes in 1950 perfecting her skills, receiving high awards at the National level. In 1964, Jan Armstrong, Neil Armstrong’s wife, and Jeanette began the El Lago Aquanauts Synchronized Swimming Team. Jeanette continued her key role with the Aquanauts from 1965-2017 after Jan’s departure from the sport. In her career, she participated as a synchronized swimming competitor, coach, official, show producer and judge since those early days. Jeanette served as an officer of the AAU, USSS and served as the President of the National Association of Teachers of Singing all while serving the Houston area as a previously registered Nurse, music teacher, choir director, opera singer, proud mom and grandmother. Jeanette retired from the sport officially in 2021.
