The following swimmers were selected as "Mavericks of the Month" in 1999. Our first edition of "Maverick of the Month" was in 1998, so 1999 marked the second year for this popular newsletter feature.

Alan Maloney, will age up to 70, on Jan. 31 (as will his twin brother, Andrew). The twins, born in Brooklyn, NY, remain the surviving males in their family of ten children. At age six, he developed an interest in swimming, when he took lessons at the Brooklyn Central YMCA. His early competition included Y, High School and Life Guarding teams. He attended Long Island University, and swam on the varsity team, with Maverick teammate, Charlie Schlegel. Maloney enjoyed his early experiences in Florida, life guarding on the sunny beaches of Ft. Lauderdale. He and Arlene, his wife, spent 28 years in Europe, working for the DODDS (Department of Defense Dependents' School). He will return to Germany in 2000, for the Worlds and to visit friends. In 1991, he made his first foray into Masters swimming, as Unattached. After he competed in a local St. Pete meet, he joined their team. In Nov., 1996, he and six other swimmers, formed the Florida Maverick Masters. He served as the first President, providing valuable leadership and support to make them a viable team, being LCM National Mens' Champions in 1997 and 1998. He is a Top Ten swimmer, and holds two World Relay Records. Maloney also enjoys triathlons, volleyball, and running. He and Arlene are retired and live in Clearwater, FL.

Dr. Robert MacDonald, 70, was born in Chicago, and soon moved to California. As an 8 yr. old, he dove for coins off Catalina Is., to the tourists' delight. A friend devised a helmet, hose and bike pump combination, so the boys could retrieve coins landing in the 40 ft. deep water. In 1940, Bob, 12, moved to St. Louis,. He joined the Y swim team, coached by Ernie Vornbrock, Counsilman's mentor. In 1946, at Y Nationals in Detroit, he and teammate, P. Hutinger, were members of the winning 400 yd. free relay. The army drafted him in 1946, and Bob served two years in the Korea region. He placed 3rd in the 100 and 200 yd. breast at the All-Pacific Meet in Tokyo. Afterwards, he enrolled at St. Louis University, and swam on their team, which reigned as Missouri Valley Champs, for three years. He represented the MO Athletic Club at the 1948 Olympic Water Polo tryouts, and the next year, his team won the Nat. Jr. Championships, in Detroit. After completing his dentistry doctorate, Bob moved to Naples, FL, and started his practice. He presently shares an office with his son, Michael. Bob began Masters swimming in 1978, has won his breast events at Nationals and been an All-American, several times. In 1996, he helped originate the Mavericks. In 1997, he swam breast on the LCM and SCM world record 200 medley relays, again with teammate, Hutinger.

Frank Tillotson, 84, "The Story Teller". His early swimming began in the Atlantic Ocean, off Long Island, New York. After farm work, his brothers would swim a bit, if it was calm, and they were never bothered by sharks. In the spring of 1936, Frank ventured into the Old Armory pool at Cornell University, and was asked if he wanted to learn to swim. Frank said, "Sure". He was told to lie on his back, pull with his arms over his head, and kick. He did this for ten days, unnoticed. From April until June, he had lessons. Coach Scotty Little, assured him the ocean would not do for summer swimming, but, Noyac Bay across the island, would. As often as possible, Frank drove the eight miles after work, and swam from a dock to the beach, 1.25 miles round trip. Once, about a half mile from shore, he kicked a shark. Luckily, the shark swam away in disgust! Returning to Cornell in the fall as the only backstroker, he swam on the team until he graduated in the spring of 1939. For many years, he was busy with work and family and had no access to a pool. He moved to FL and joined St. Pete Masters in 1973, and in 1988, swam for Holmes Lumber at the Worlds. Frank has spent countless hours organizing Masters swim meets, editing the FL newsletter, and officiating. In 1996, he helped found the Mavericks, and has swum on the 1997 & 1998 men's National Championship teams. Frank lives in St. Petersburg, FL.

*Joseph Kurtzman, 73, had his first brutal introduction to the water when he was "thrown in to sink or swim," by older water-savvy brothers. His first competition was at age 10. "I took Third Place in the 'Skeeter Class with the 20-yard dog-paddle,'" he says proudly. He comes from an athletic family, and his younger brother, Aaron, is also a Maverick. When he left grade school he was Captain of the swimming team, and also at Princeton, where he did his Pre-Med degree. The Navy first brought him to Charleston in 1952 when he replaced the Ship's Surgeon killed in an accident. He later was stationed in South Carolina and Florida and, as a high-record holder, made the U.S.N. Olympic Swim Team. When he and his young family settled in Charleston permanently in 1961 he set up practice as an ophthalmologist. Having three young boys of his own, he helped organize the first Star Fish Swimming Team in Charleston, in 1964. He coached and his boys competed. His youngest swims in Masters meets. Kurtzman was happy to retire in 1989, "when the Good Lord granted a lifelong wish for a lap pool." Hurricane Hugo filled his small office building with enough water to swim in. He lost a lifetime's medical records and called it quits. He has US and World records in the fly, and was on two Maverick World record relays. Joe, his wife, Sabina and dog, Penny, live in Charleston.

*NOTE: Joe passed away on February 1, 2005. He will certainly be missed by his friends, family and his Maverick teammates.