March 31, 2026 — The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), in collaboration with the Women’s Advisory Committee, is excited to launch year two of its Education Zoom Series, themed Ignite! Recruit to Rise: Team Impact, Staff Alignment, and Career Vision. This dynamic, four-part virtual coaching series is designed to equip coaching professionals at all career stages with valuable insights, strategies, and resources. Sponsored by Speedo, each session will feature interactive discussions with peers and industry experts, offering actionable takeaways to support personal growth, enhance team performance, and advance the sport.
“The Women’s Advisory Committee continues to make meaningful strides in developing impactful, engaging programming for our coaching community,” said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. “The strength of our profession lies in the incredible colleagues we stand alongside on the pool deck, and we’re thrilled to bring this series back for a second year. We’re especially grateful to Speedo for prioritizing this work—when companies invest in people, it elevates our sport and our shared experience in powerful ways.”
Session 1: Recruiting for TEAM Success
Date: Tuesday, April 14th, 12:00 PM ET
Panelists: Jaclyn Rosen (UC Santa Barbara), Kristin Walker (Florida), Abby Brethauer (Princeton), Cathleen Pruden (Trinity TX)
This session focuses on how to intentionally build a strong future team while also retaining current athletes. It will cover the fundamentals—the “X’s and O’s”—of creating an effective recruiting plan, along with guidance on identifying your own coaching philosophy and aligning it with the types of athletes you recruit. Additionally, the session will explore strategies for building cohesive recruiting classes and ensuring those classes complement one another over time, ultimately contributing to a more unified and successful team.
Session 2: Developing STAFF Success
Date: Tuesday, May 12th, 12:00 PM ET
Panelists: TBD
This panel on Developing Staff Success will explore how to build a unified and effective team behind your program. It will highlight the importance of establishing a consistent staff message and brand voice, as well as clearly defining roles within a staff—what may vary across institutions and what remains constant. The discussion will also focus on strategies for creating a high-functioning, cohesive staff regardless of title, and how to thoughtfully evaluate open positions to find the right fit based on your program’s current priorities. Additionally, the panel will address how individuals outside of the coaching staff—such as operations, communications, and facilities—play a critical role in the overall success of the program.
Session 3: Defining YOUR Success
Date: Tuesday, June 9th, 12:00 PM ET
Panelists: TBD
This panel on Defining YOUR Success will examine how success can mean different things depending on your role and perspective within a program. It will explore how expectations may vary among staff members and key stakeholders such as administrators, alumni, and athletes, and how to navigate those differences effectively. The session will also emphasize the importance of aligning your day-to-day work with long-term goals, both for your personal career and the broader direction of the program.
Registration Details All sessions will be hosted virtually via Zoom and are open to CSCAA members. Links to register are provided in the information above.
Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in yourself, your career, and the future of swimming and diving coaching. Join us as we dive into these transformative conversations!
About CSCAA:
Founded in 1922, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) – the first organization of college coaches in America -is a professional organization of college swimming and diving coaches dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming & diving at the collegiate level. With a mission to protect, preserve and expand college swimming and diving opportunities, the CSCAA provides valuable resources, educational opportunities, and leadership development to its members, fostering a thriving and competitive collegiate swimming and diving community.
