Between 1927 and 1933, Sponder competed against such noted swimming greats as Marvin Nelson and
Gianni Gambi. During the era when the Canadian National Exhibit Marathon Swim was one of the Premier World Marathons, Sponder finished in the top three, a total four times. He passed away in December of 1986 at the age of 74. In 1993, the Sponder Family dedicated the Centennial Pool Lift for handicapped swimmers to the citizens of Port Colborne. With the decommissioning of Centennial Pool and building of Vale Health & Wellness Centre, the City and Sponder’s family wanted to ensure his memory lived on in Port Colborne. Introduced in 2017, the Isadore Sponder Memorial Trophy is awarded each year to a member of the Port Colborne Swim Team to honour Sponder. The recipient is to mirror the traits Sponder possessed in the water — a competitive spirit, dedicated to the sport, and always giving 110 per cent, win or lose.