Greg Earhart, Executive Director for the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) has announced the hiring of Samantha Barany to Director of Member and Legislative Services.  Barany comes to the CSCAA after serving as Associate Commissioner for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). 

In her new role, Barany will spearhead the CSCAA’s legislative initiatives while also managing the CSCAA’s highest-profile member programs including the CSCAA / TYR Top 25 Dual Meet Polls, All-America and Scholar All-America awards. 

 “At the CAA, Sam did it all – she had direct oversight of seven different sports and their championship tournaments including Swimming & Diving. She represented the CAA on the national level, and worked directly with Athletic Directors, SWAs and coaches.”  explained Earhart.  Equally important, he added, Barany has had experience as a successful Division I head coach herself.  “This gives Sam the best of all worlds – the experience of working directly with conferences and athletic directors, along with the firsthand understanding of the goals, qualities, needs, and challenges of our members.”

From Samantha Barany: "I have witnessed the upward trajectory of the CSCAA in the recent years and am extremely excited join the organization. This is a progressive association with great leadership by way of the board and Greg Earhart. I would like to thank Greg for selecting me to be part of the team. The impact swimming, and specifically collegiate swimming, has had on my life both personally and professionally is beyond measure. I am looking forward to attending conference and NCAA championship meets this spring. I am also thrilled to return to the coaches’ convention and contribute in supporting the CSCAA membership.  I cannot imagine a better professional opportunity than to work on behalf of all college swimming with Greg Earhart, Matt Zimmer and the entire CSCAA board."  

Barany served the CAA since January of 2014.  Prior to that she spent nearly a decade as the Head Women’s swimming and diving coach at her alma mater, James Madison University.  While being named CAA Coach of the Year, Barany led the Dukes from ninth to first in the league. She coached JMU to their first CAA title (2012) in more than a decade while also sending athletes to the NCAA championships, USA Olympic Trials and the London Olympic Games. She is the best coach in her house.”