Colombo\u2019s trophy on display at Rosenberg <\/p>\n
From staff reports <\/p>\n
The Daily News <\/p>\n
Published May 4, 2008 <\/p>\n
GALVESTON \u2014 This month, the Rosenberg Library is exhibiting a
\nchampionship trophy won by LeRoy Colombo in 1927. <\/p>\n
Colombo is a legendary figure in Galveston history. During his
\nfive-decade career, this deaf lifeguard saved more than 900 lives. <\/p>\n
Colombo, the son of Italian immigrants, was not born deaf. He lost
\nhis hearing around the age of 7 after a mysterious illness, which was
\ndiagnosed at the time as spinal meningitis. <\/p>\n
As a result, Colombo lost his hearing and his ability to speak. He
\nwas also paralyzed from the waist down. <\/p>\n
Colombo\u2019s brothers worked to rehabilitate LeRoy by dragging him up
\nand down the alley behind their house until he was able to walk on his
\nown two feet again. <\/p>\n
Swimming also proved to be beneficial in rebuilding the strength of
\nhis legs. <\/p>\n
Because of his hearing disability, Colombo was deemed
\n\u201cineducable\u201d by the public school system in Galveston and was sent
\nto the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin. <\/p>\n
Colombo became a competitive swimmer at the school, setting multiple
\nrecords for speed and distance.<\/p>\n
After six years at the school, he returned to Galveston. <\/p>\n
In 1927, Colombo completed a 15-mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico in
\njust 11-and-a-half hours. <\/p>\n
Colombo\u2019s brother, Cinto, finished the race in second place \u2014
\nthree and a half hours behind LeRoy. <\/p>\n
Muscle cramps and jellyfish stings caused the other four challengers
\nto withdraw. <\/p>\n
The event was sponsored by the Surf Toboggan Club, an elite group of
\nvolunteer lifeguards. <\/p>\n
Colombo joined the group in 1921 at the age of 15. To gain membership
\nin the club, one was required to spend three hours and 20 minutes in
\nthe Gulf without any swimming aids and without floating on one\u2019s
\nback. <\/p>\n
After devoting more than 50 years to saving the lives of others,
\nColombo died in 1974. <\/p>\n
The citizens of Galveston erected a plaque along the seawall in his
\nhonor. <\/p>\n
In 2006, the Texas School for the Deaf unveiled a new swimming
\ncenter, which was named for Colombo. <\/p>\n
+++ <\/p>\n
At A Glance <\/p>\n
WHAT: Treasure of the Month <\/p>\n
WHEN: Monday through Saturday during regular library hours. <\/p>\n
WHERE: Main library on the first floor of Rosenberg Library, 2310
\nSealy Ave. <\/p>\n
INFORMATION: Contact the museum office at 409-763-8854, Ext. 125.<\/p>\n
Link:
\nhttp:\/\/www.galvnews.com\/story.lasso?ewcd=be43fd02481f4c3c&-session=TheDailyNews:42F946750c4e802724HsO4271B24<\/p>\n
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Colombo\u2019s trophy on display at Rosenberg From staff reports The Daily News Published May 4, 2008 GALVESTON \u2014 This month, the Rosenberg Library is exhibiting a championship trophy won by LeRoy Colombo in 1927. Colombo is a legendary figure in…<\/p>\n