Mark Spitz
Legendary Olympic Swimmer, nine-time Olympic champion, and former world record-holder in seven events
Once considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all-time, the globally renowned Mark Spitz is synonymous with excellence. Voted Athlete of the Century in water sports and one of the six greatest Olympians ever by Sports Illustrated in 2000, he remains one of the most recognized faces in the world today. Although he won 11 Olympic…
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Once considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all-time, the globally renowned Mark Spitz is synonymous with excellence. Voted Athlete of the Century in water sports and one of the six greatest Olympians ever by Sports Illustrated in 2000, he remains one of the most recognized faces in the world today.
Although he won 11 Olympic medals over two Olympic Games, Spitz will always be best remembered for his remarkable seven gold medals at the 1972 Games. It was during the Summer Games in Munich that Spitz set four individual world records: 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle, and 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly. He also had a hand in setting three relay event world records: 4×100 freestyle, 4×200 freestyle, and 4×100 medley. He swam the third leg of the 200 freestyle and 100 medley, and the last leg of the 100 freestyle. Spitz’s final victory came only hours before Palestinian terrorists took hostage and eventually murdered 11 Israeli athletes in the Munich Olympic Village.
Between 1965 and 1972, Spitz won nine Olympic gold medals, one silver, and one bronze; five Pan-American gold medals; 31 National US Amateur Athletic Union titles; and eight US National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships. During those years, he set 33 World records.
Spitz was World Swimmer of the Year in 1967, 1971, and 1972. In 1971, he became the first Jewish recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the Amateur Athlete of the Year. In 2000, Sports Illustrated named him number 33 on its list of the “Top 100 Athletes of the 20th Century.”
A highly requested keynote speaker throughout the world, Spitz has done endorsements for Xerox, Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, John Hancock Financial Services, General Motors, General Mills, Swatch, and many others.
Not limited to motivational or Olympic focused speeches, Spitz also reflects on the current geo-political climate, as fueled by memories of the terrorist attacks at the 1972 Games. Additionally, he is a Series 7 licensed broker who co-owns a brokerage company that oversees $100 million in assets for high net worth individuals.
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LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
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BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Olympic Dream & Spirit
World Events (1972-Current)
What Makes a Champion
Being a Jewish Athlete
The Olympic Champion Within Everyone
Videos
Mark Spitz featured speaker at UJA Major Gifts Dinner
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Testimonials
Mark Spitz was great and so accommodating. In fact, he even offered to have breakfast with major donors, and he was super at both the intimate dinner and the main event.
United Jewish Federation Of Northeastern New York
The event was great, with a strong attendance, and Mark himself was wonderful with the students. Super talkative, friendly guy.
Program Director, Cornell Hillel
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