The 53rd annual ASCA World Clinic took place this past week in Orlando, Florida. At the clinic, over 500 ASCA members voted in an election for 5 new coaches to serve on the ASCA Board of Directors.
- Mohamed Abdelaal, Head Senior Coach, AquaHawgs
- Bill Dorenkott, Head Coach, Ohio State University
- Ellen Johnston, Head Coach, Westport Weston Family YMCA Water Rats
- *Mike Koleber, Head Coach, Nitro Swimming
- Emily Melina, Head Coach, Lake Oswego Swim Club
*Mike Koleber was the only candidate running for re-election, and was also re-elected as the president of ASCA.
While six coaches end their term on the board this year, only five were replaced. That’s because the ASCA bylaws were amended earlier this year to reduce the board from its current 15 seats to 12. That will be done one year at a time until they reach 12.
There were 6 nominees for 5 positions, and Pete Motekaitis, Co-Director of Davis Aquamonsters, was the other nominee.
The new ASCA Board of Directors met and elected 4 members to leadership positions positions: The ASCA President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The following 4 individuals were elected into the positions:
- President – Mike Koleber, Head Senior Coach, Nitro Swimming
- Vice President – Dave Gibson, Head Coach, Swim Fort Lauderdale
- Treasurer – Jimmy Tierney, Head Coach, McKendree University
- Secretary – Mike Murray, Head Coach, Victor Swim Club
Chad Onken, Matt Kredich, David Marsh, and Dave Salo all served their 3-year terms and have chosen not to re-run. Mark Schubert ended his term a year early, citing personal reasons not related to ASCA, while Mike Koleber was re-elected for another term as the president of ASCA.
The other members of the Board of Directors that round out the current 15 include:
- Ken Heis, Head Coach, Mason Manta Rays (Term Ends 2022)
- Jeff Julian, Head Coach, Rosebowl Aquatics (Term Ends 2022)
- Megan Oesting, Head Coach, Bend Swim Club (Term Ends 2023)
- Mitch Dalton, Assistant Coach, University of Texas Women (Term Ends 2023)
- Braden Holloway, Head Coach, NC State (Term Ends 2023)
- Doug Wharam, Associate Head Coach, Nashville Aquatic Club (Term Ends 2023)
Including the two new females elected, there are now three women out of 14 members of the ASCA Board of Directors, and none in the leadership group. Prior to this election, Oesting was the only female on the Board of Directors.
10 out of the 14 coaches on the Board of Director coach primarily at the club level, while four (Dorenkott, Holloway, Dalton, and Tierny) primarily coach collegiate and professional swimmers.
You can visit the American Swimming Coaches Association’s (ASCA) website for more information.
Did the American Swimming Coaches Association address all of all the membership money that walked out the door at the end of John Leonard’s tenure as Executive Director? Has criminal and civil action been taken? ASCA really cannot be taken seriously in the swimming community until this happens.
Like I said, JL is hanging out on his boat.
Our leaders – Thank you for your service!
i have refused to update my asca membership for more than a decade. can anyone explain how asca is better than what it was before under previous leadership and why i should renew my membership?
John Leonard is gone
Probably hanging out on his boat with all his ASCA sub money
Because there are people who are taking proactive steps to improve content while educating and mentoring young coaches. Coaches got to stick together for each other even though we are competing against each other.
I got lucky and did the lifetime membership before that option was recently dropped. There is lots of good content on their web site that is exclusive for members.
Recently, ASCA has made some great steps forward in improving the services they offer and I would for sure keep paying annual membership fees if I had to.
Can you provide examples of the improvements? Just saying there have been improvements doesnt, IMO, justify rejoining.
I’ll be happy to provide some insight on improvements! Just so I have a reference point, when did you stop renewing your membership?
Hmm, let’s see.. lack of checks into athlete development claimed by coaches, rarely and/or poorly sent newsletters, expensive clinics, outdated educational components, just to name a few.
But at the heart was paying $75, 80, etc for no return. And what appeared as bragging when membership was 8000, 9000, 10000, 11000 members x the fee. It seemed more about making money.
Again, when exactly did you drop? You say you dropped about a decade ago. Does that mean you didn’t attend any of the clinics? IMO, the clinics from 2014 on were fantastic and the networking alone was well worth the trip.
Did you take any of the training schools? While yes some may seem outdated, they are still great for coaches to have as a resource.
Personally, I loved ASCA 4 as it strongly reinforced the role of the coach which is to serve.
You do know the board is made of volunteers right? These are all people who are actively trying to make improvements while balancing their own work lives. While
They are running a company… Read more »
I am certified, if that matters, thru Level 5. I have attended clinics, if that matters. And I wouldnt mind rejoining if it can be demonstrated what is better and why. Sharing ideas, etc are important. But giving money without any benefit is not worth it, even at just $75 or $80… its the principal.
I agree with you, and my status in regards to ASCA is similar to yours’. I don’t know the new ASCA Executive Director, but IMO she can’t be any worse, or financially and morally unethical, than John Leonard. I’m not sure about Mike Koleber, but I question what went into the judgement of hiring Bill Wadley last year as Executive Director and there is at least one of Leonard’s “good ole boy” enablers still on the board and he’s the treasurer, Jimmy Tierney. They do have a lot of good people on the board and I hope they have the power to steer things in the right direction.
You’re certified or you took the test? Taking the test doesn’t = certified.