Ohio Swimming Inc., Lake Erie Swimming Inc. Merge into Single LSC

Photo Courtesy: Competitor

Ohio Swimming Inc., Lake Erie Swimming Inc. Merge into Single LSC

Ohio Swimming Inc. and Lake Erie Swimming Inc. announced on Friday their intention to merge into a single local swimming committee (LSC).

The move will bring swimming in the state of Ohio under a single organization with supervisory responsibilities for the entire states. The plan took shape in a meeting last April during the USA Swimming Workshop in Colorado. The process is underway immediately with an anticipated mid-2024 announcement for when the merger will take effect in practice.

USA Swimming News

Among the benefits identified, per a joint press release, are:

LSC Unification – combine resources and expertise to deliver high quality services, programming & support throughout Ohio under a single consolidated LSC.
Enhanced Competition – improve the competition position & experience by adding quality venues; offering higher levels of competition by bringing all Ohio athletes together.
Strengthen Operational Efficiencies/Strengthen Financial Position – maximizing results through minimizing costly duplications.
Improve Member retention/attract new families – the merger will re-energize the base as we strategically plan for long term future successes.

As currently constructed, Ohio Swimming governed in about three-quarters of the state, all but the northeast corner of the state, bordering Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes. That 14-county area – specifically, Ashland, Ashtabula, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne – was overseen by LESI.

Now, the entire state will be under one flag. Combined, the two LSC cover more than 100 clubs, 9,000 athletes, 800 coaches and 500 officials.

Lake Erie and Ohio comprise the eastern-most boundary of USA Swimming’s Central zone, one of four national geographic zones. The consolidation will reduce the number of LSC’s from 54 to 53.

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Fredric Vogelgesang

4 months ago

Great. We need more consolidation, especially with online registration.