One hundred years ago, a handful of coaches assembled to create the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), the nation’s first intercollegiate coaching association. This year, the CSCAA is proud to launch a year-long celebration of its rich history, showcasing the people who have made significant contributions both in the water and society and highlight opportunities the sport provides to thousands of student-athletes.

“In the past century close to one million men and women have participated in intercollegiate swimming and diving,” said Bob Groseth. “Following graduation, many develop into some of our nation’s and our communities’ greatest leaders and many more credit this experience as an integral part of their success.”

Groseth, along with Jim Ellis, Jon Lederhouse, Peter Hovland, and Anne Goodman-James lead a blue-ribbon Centennial Executive Committee.  Matt Zimmer, the CSCAA’s Chief Commercial Officer. Zimmer explains however, that there is a need for additional participation. “For a sport that is so closely associated with times and places, our history often resides only in the memories of its practitioners.” In an effort to capture this history, Zimmer says the CSCAA is reaching out to all institutions for involvement and contributions of their alumni.

Here are some of the components of the Centennial Celebration:

Brand Kit & Patch Program

The association is kicking off its centennial with the introduction of a commemorative logo (see above). The logo is designed for inclusion on uniforms, publications and digital platforms. Institutions will be provided with a brand kit to highlight the anniversary.  Member coaches will also be provided commemorative patches for use on their coaching apparel.  

Downloadable Media Kit

Coaching Pioneers & 100 Greatest Coaches

In January 2022 the CSCAA will announce its 100 Greatest Coaches, a compilation of the 100 most-accomplished college swimming and diving coaches. The process will begin with nominations from coaches, media personnel and the general public. Nominations will be due September 6, 2021. The Centennial Executive Committee will then narrow the list of nominees on the basis of each coach’s accomplishments and greater impact in the college swimming and diving community. The Committee will also acknowledge Coaching Pioneers whose contributions extend beyond championships and records.  These selections will be announced on January 10, 2022.

100 Greatest Swimmers and Divers

In November the CSCAA will announce its 100 Greatest Swimmers and Divers, a compilation of the 100 most-accomplished college swimmers and divers across all divisions. Like the coaches, the process will begin with public nominations followed by vetting by the Centennial Executive Committee.   Nominations will be due August 15, 2021 with the selections announced November 8, 2021.

100 Alumni of Impact

Thousands of former college swimmers and divers have gone onto play important roles in society.  These included numerous doctors, CEO’s and even two Presidents of the United States.  In January the CSCAA will recognize one hundred of these as Alumni of Impact for their contributions in areas such as business, science, government, the military, education and society.  Nominations will be due October 4, 2021 with selections announced December 6, 2021.

Centennial MVP Team

The CSCAA Centennial MVP Team will recognize the most-accomplished swimmer or diver (male and female) for every college or university that has fielded a varsity program in the past 100 years. These individuals will be selected, not by the CSCAA, but by representatives from each institution. Institutions are free to select these individuals in any manner they see fit (current or past coach, sports information director, alumni, etc.) but subject to review and approval by CSCAA Centennial Committee. Selections are due October 4, 2021 with selections named January 24, 2022.

Centennial Convention

The CSCAA will conclude its centennial with its annual convention, May 2-5, 2022 in Rosemont, Illinois. The Centennial Convention will be the association’s first in-person convention since 2019 and follows this year’s record-setting virtual convention.

Calendar

100 Greatest Swimmers & Divers

• August 15 - Nomination Deadline

• Nov 8 - Announcement

100 Greatest Coaches

• Sep 6 - Nomination Deadline

• Jan 10 - Announcement

100 Alumni of Influence

• Oct 4 - Nomination Deadline

• Dec 6 - Announcement

All Century MVP Team

• Oct 4 - Selection Deadline

• Jan 24 - Announcement