Honoring the Legacy of Brent Rutemiller: A Visionary in Sports Publishing and Swimming Excellence

Brent Rutemiller had a distinguished career as the publisher of Swimming World magazine and CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. However, there was much more to Rutemiller, who resided in the Valley and passed away last June.

His companion and fellow coach Will Humble shares insights in our latest tribute to those we lost in 2024.

Amber Victoria Singer/KJZZ

WILL HUMBLE: Brent was among the most extraordinary individuals I’ve encountered in my 64 years on this Earth. He was a cherished friend. I initially met him around 15 or 20 years ago when I took my son, who has a developmental disability, specifically Down syndrome, to a Special Olympics swim team practice down on Campbell over in Phoenix.

There was Brent, and I vividly remember witnessing all these athletes with varying disabilities enjoying themselves at that pool. The thing that deeply impressed me about Brent was that he had two special needs children of his own.

He was managing this special needs swim team, initially named Brophy East, now affiliated with the Phoenix Swim Club. Despite managing Swimming World magazine, attending the Olympic Games, and socializing with renowned figures like Rowdy Gaines, he was a central figure in the competitive swimming community, known by everyone through the magazine.

Furthermore, on top of all this, he went to Fort Lauderdale to establish the Swimming Hall of Fame. I often reflected on my own career and family life, feeling overwhelmed at times, and then I’d look at Brent and think, ‘Wow, I’m nothing like Brent.’ He was accomplishing tenfold more than I could ever imagine, and I truly couldn’t grasp how he did it. He was an undeniable force of nature, an incredibly wonderful person.

It truly amazed me that we had such an incredible community within our special needs swim team, comprising about 40 students. I can share a picture if you’d like. None of us would have met without Brent’s influence. The key takeaway, I believe, is that regardless of who you are, you have the potential to impact others positively if you take the time to consider it, and think creatively about how to assist those around you. Brent made a significant impact in many lives.

For me personally, within our special needs group, and at the competitive swimming level, he was on a first-name basis with all the great athletes, including Michael Phelps.

But the essential message for everyone is that there is something you can also do. It’s unique for each individual, and sometimes the actions you take to help others go beyond your realization of their impact, such as mentoring others. So, I urge everyone to be deliberate and mindful as you navigate through life.