Uchiyama Named National Team Director

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 3. IN an unexpected move, USA Swimming announced today that Everett Uchiyama has been named to the permanent position of National Team Director, a role he had been fulfilling on an interim basis since December of 2002.

“Everett Uchiyama earned this promotion to National Team Director the old fashioned way … he's proven himself through job performance and results,” said USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus. “He is already leading all our National Team preparations for the Athens Olympic Games, and now he'll also be putting the plan in place to carry us forward to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games."

Uchiyama has been with USA Swimming since July of 1999 when he was hired as National Team Coordinator under former Director Dennis Pursley. Prior to that, he spent 20 years coaching at the club level at Socal Aquatics (Tustin, Calif.) and Beach Swim Club (Long Beach, Calif.). Uchiyama is a graduate of Long Beach State with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He also earned a master’s degree in education from Azusa Pacific.

“I am honored to have this opportunity,” said Uchiyama. “My goal is to continue the tradition of excellence built by my predecessor, Dennis Pursley, as well as the countless coaches and athletes who have created such a foundation of success for USA Swimming.”

USA Swimming’s Olympic legacy includes 191 gold medals, 138 more than the next closest country. Americans have won 433 Olympic swimming medals overall.

“Everett is a wonderful guy for the job and will do a great job,” said Lindsay Benko, one of the captains on the 2000 Olympic team. “USA Swimming is definitely lucky to have him on their team!"

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