James R. ("Jimmy") Smith was an early 20th Century California water polo player and coach. He developed many of the modern rules which are used in competition today, including the use of the yellow rubberized ball adopted by FINA in 1956.
Smith authored several books on aquatic coaching and the mechanics of play. His 1936 book, Playing and Coaching Water Polo, was the first text on the sport. At the same time, Smith developed a water polo ball made with an inflatable bladder and a rubber fabric cover, which improved performance.
In 1990, the United States Water Polo Award was established in memory of Jimmie Smith and his contributions to the sport of water polo. The award is given annually to an individual or group, recognizing outstanding contributions to water polo in the United States. The trophy is exhibited at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Famous quotes containing the words james r, james and/or smith:
“Some day the soft Ideal that we wooed
Confronts us fiercely, foe-beset, pursued,
And cries reproachful: “Was it then my praise,
And not myself was loved? Prove now thy truth;
I claim of thee the promise of thy youth.””
—James Russell Lowell (1819–1891)
“There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision, and for whom the lighting of every cigar, the drinking of every cup, the time of rising and going to bed every day, and the beginning of every bit of work, are subjects of express volitional deliberation.”
—William James (1842–1910)
“As Nature is always careless and indifferent
Who sees, who steps, means nothing and this is pretty.”
—Stevie Smith (1902–1971)