Leadership Remains Intact Within USA Swimming

By Brent Rutemiller

PHOENIX, Arizona, January 19. WITH the decision to remain with USA Swimming as its executive director after being courted by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), Chuck Wielgus is now in position to overcome new challenges and take the sport to new levels.

"It worked out the best for me personally. The process (of interviewing for the USOC position) forced the volunteer leadership and the administration to look at a succession plan. It reinforced my commitment, and enthusiasm for USA Swimming. And, it opened up opportunities to strengthen the partnership that USA Swimming has with the USOC," said Wielgus.

But the process also gave pause for reflection on Wielgus' 12th year of his tenure and an opportunity to look into the future.

The sport is now more visible than ever due in part to Michael Phelps and Dara Torres. But the ability to see these athletes through the media was years in the making.

"It was accomplished through staff, volunteers and the media working collectively. We have a four-year agreement with NBC that allows us to showcase our Olympic Trials, Nationals, Duel in the Pool, Pan Pacs and World Championships," said Wielgus on how the sport has been promoted.

The base has been expanded to more than 300,000 members.

"We have had positive growth in 12 of our last 13 years with an average growth rate between 1 percent and 2 percent each year. Our normal post-Olympic growth percentage is 5-7 percent, but last year (2009) it went up to 11.5 percent. Our retention rate has increased 10 percent. The number of boys is steadily increasing from 37 percent to 43 percent. Now, it is cool to be a swimmer.

"Most importantly, we worked hard to support club programs and club development," said Wielgus, who acknowledged that the $1 annual dues increase every year over the past six years provided the financial wherewithal to make it happen. The annual dues increase continues until the end of 2014.

Achieving competitive success cannot be argued from an international level. USA Swimming has averaged more than 30 Olympic medals in each of the last three Olympics; more than any other Olympic sport in the United States and more than any other swimming country in the world.

But can this success continue?

The biggest challenge is USA Swimming's ability to sustain competitive success. International competition continues to increase globally. Forty percent of the top foreign athletes now train in NCAA programs, which takes away lane space from U.S. athletes. Michael Phelps accounted for 50 percent of the individual gold medals for the U.S. Take Phelps out of the equation, and the balance of power shifts dramatically.

Club coaches in the United States are becoming disillusioned due in part to the growth of year-round college programs and national training centers. Once the backbone of USA Swimming, they are feeling more like age group and developmental coaches with glass ceilings instead of national coaches reaping the rewards of their efforts.

Clubs are also still reeling from the techsuit era. The cost of purchasing new and approved racing suits has not returned to pre-techsuit era prices as expected. Socioeconomic issues remain.

With the new FINA-approved jammers now selling for around $280, one must question how USA Swimming intends to work with manufacturers in the market. It also diffuses the validity of the cost argument that helped lead to the banning of the techsuits. As long as the prices remain high, the pro and con suit ban arguments will continue.

Wielgus acknowledged the suit challenges as "still being out there." The TYR anti-trust lawsuit against USA Swimming is set to come to court early this spring. Discussions are taking place to settle the issue as early as possible.

When pressed, Wielgus failed to identify specific weaknesses within the organization. "We have few weaknesses, just opportunities to improve." Going forward, "I want others to bring dreams to the table," said Wielgus.

Although Wielgus' core business objectives of Promote the Sport; Build the Base; Achieve Competitive Success remain evergreen, the calling for others to bring "dreams to the table" implies that USA Swimming is ready to expand in new directions.

Wielgus is now an experienced and confident executive with the ability to empower those around him to make their dreams come true. Those that are able to demonstrate leadership skills under Wielgus' remaining contract term, which ends in 2012, will be poised to be a part of the succession plan.

Some of those dreams are coming true now:

The USA Swimming Foundation has raised more than $2 million during the last six years. Recently, it was awarded a $400,000 government grant, signed by President Barack Obama, for its Make a Splash campaign, which has already provided swim lessons to more than 188,000 children. The grant came from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquent Prevention to set up a program in New Jersey to help with community learn-to-swim programs.

"We hope it becomes a benchmark program, and we can take it national," said Wielgus.

Sponsorships within USA Swimming appear to be fine.

"At a time when many sports are trimming back expenses because of declining sales and sponsorship activity, we are continuing to find success in up-selling and enhancing existing relationships and attracting new corporate partners," Wielgus wrote in a recent organizational update about USA Swimming's overall sponsorship activity.

USA Swimming's Facility Development Department (FDD) continues to be proactive in helping to get competitive pools built in the United States. Since 2004, the FDD has assisted with 69 facilities getting built.

Some of those dreams are being evaluated:

SwimNetwork is still in transition from its original concept as a for-profit co-venture with the Wasserman Media Group into an extension of the USA Swimming not-for-profit umbrella.

"We will be evaluating SwimNetwork over the next year," said Wielgus, when asked of its future status.

One of those goals is to "evaluate the potential for creating a new business model that would re-position this website to be about all-things aquatic."

The direction to provide content outside USA Swimming's core areas will certainly provoke much discussion both externally and internally.

Other dreams are still being studied:

A feasibility study on creating a National Pro Swim league; conducting a major event at a unique venue such as Central Park in New York City, Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, etc.; taking the Make a Splash program international with the objective of "doing good" for the sport and enhancing international stature; establishing a counseling program for National Team athletes to provide help and guidance on financial planning issues; establishing a speaker's bureau for National Team athletes and coaches; re-branding USA Swimming as "America's Swim Team" and positioning all swimmers as part of a national program are just a few things being kicked around.

No matter what dream USA Swimming chooses to pursue, you can be sure that the leadership within USA Swimming remains firmly intact.

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