The Sammy Lee Diving Award
A hollow globe is affixed to an approximately 12-inch square green marble plinth. On the outer frame of the globe, continents of land are depicted in bronze. On top of the globe, a wave of water appears to undulate, and from the waters, two hands emanate as the sculpture continues upward. From the two hands, two nude divers emerge, a male and female. The bronze has a dark brownish color, with an antique green patina used for the continents and the water.
Artist: Robert Kranz • Year: 1991 • Medium: Bronze • Dimensions: 34 x 12 x 12 inches • Style/Genre: Classical (antique green patina) • Edition: 3 (with one smaller replica awarded to Dick Smith and one housed at the ISHOF).
Provenance/Story: This notable award was developed as a collaboration between Bruce Hopping and Olympic gold medalist diver Sammy Lee to honor the nation’s foremost contributor to the realm of amateur sports diving. The first version of the award consisted of a sculptural relief plaque designed by artist Edmond Schumpert. That earlier version was given to Greg Louganis, the award’s first recipient. A smaller replica of this three-dimensional sculptural version was given to legendary swim coach Dick Smith in 1991, the second award recipient. The copious archive includes numerous documents, letters, and photos related to the award’s creation and presentation.
