While the white smoke floats up in Rome on Thursday, the chimneys of Colorado Springs remain clear.
It has been 69 days since USA Swimming announced that Chrissi Rawak would not, in fact, be the organization’s next CEO. Ignoring Rawak’s short stint, that’s 252 days of vacancy for a million dollar-per-annum job.
While transparency has been non-existence throughout the process, leaks have been plentiful from disgruntled stakeholders trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel.
Insiders tell SwimSwam that the decision makers seem to be making a similar mistake as they did in the first round that led to Rawak’s hiring, which ultimately proved to be the wrong decision. Members of the Board of Directors are continuing to choose their favored candidate before the process really takes hold, and then invest their energy into kneecapping any other candidates without even hearing their visions or proposals for the future of the sport.
That is the same approach that led to Rawak’s hiring.
Interim CEO Bob Vincent, suddenly a strong contender for the position on a full-time basis, earned some points among a portion of the membership by bringing in two capable coaches to run the National Team division in Greg Meehan and Yuri Suguiyama; he has also made enemies with some board members who felt like they were excluded from the process of both hires and only notified after the final decisions were made (though USA Swimming has confirmed that the board was notified and approved Meehan’s hiring before it was announced and finalized).
When Rawak resigned, USA Swimming promised a more efficient process on the backs of things like “we already have the interview questions written.”
And they’re still well short of the length of the first process, which took a staggering 174 days, almost 6 months. But the sport in America, which is facing challenges on virtually every front, is about to complete its first full year “post-Olympic bump” style without a permanent CEO, and enter year 2 of a home Olympic quad absent a permanent leader. The absence of many brands that have been long time financial supporters of the organization from the “Our Partners” section of the USA Swimming website tells one story about the undisputable damage that is being done by the delays.
In the wake of Chrissi Rawak‘s resignation, a number of swimmers-turned-lawyers began investigating what Colorado law says about non-profit Boards of Directors. Those efforts seem to have petered out, but the confidence in the board’s ability to find a replacement have not.
At some point, it has to be said, even though I recognize the repercussions that are going to come my way as a result of saying it: the whole things screams of amateurism. The sport deserves better, and existentially needs better.
There are 5 Board of Directors seats up for election next year. Make your votes wisely.
Nice.
Also, that picture might be 20 years old.
Minimum.
Sounds like the board has gotten a little taste of power and doesn’t want to give it up. It definitely reeks of amateurism.
Phil Hansel is turning over in his grave, for chrissakes get something done
Ugh, on so many fronts.
True, Vote = 5 seats open on the board.
IMHO, “Ballot access matters” for those seats is 500 times more important.
Educated voters for decision makers on why and how for the who to occupy those seats is 5,000-times easier said than done.
No doubt, democracy is messy. Furthermore, all hope is lost without the Fourth Estate. Go, Watchdogs, go! Cheering for SwimSwam and its barking.
Repercussions matter zero.
Klete Keller!
Topical swimswam article title we love to see it
Rowdy Gaines!
Honestly, we all know that Rowdy doesn’t want to do this. And I don’t know how good he would be leading the organization. But there are so many worse choices than what they are considering. Rowdy’s true love of the sport and his knowledge base would probably lead us in directions that would benefit the organization. He talks to everyone. I figure this was a joke, and several people are probably down voting because they don’t care for his announcing, but I’d take Rowdy over Bob Vincent any day.
Everyone knows Rowdy’s NBC announcing is for the broader market–not diehard swim nerds. What people don’t know is that Rowdy’s behind-the-scenes work for the sport far, far exceeds anything we see on-camera. Think about it. He’s full-time swimming, largely raising money for the sport and/or water safety. And, he’s a pro–endless on the road working since 1985. No one is better at it than Rowdy. Period. And I don’t see that changing. Raising money is an uphill battle. It takes someone with 4 decades of contacts and experience and his work ethic to do it well. Rowdy doesn’t want to be CEO, but he certainly should be a voice in the room when decisions are made. And, most importantly, culture-wise,… Read more »
You said it better than I did. And my questioning his ability to lead the organization was about literally being an administrator vs being the mega personality promoting the sport he is now. He’s exactly where he needs to be and the sport is better off for it. But you’re spot on when saying he should be a voice in the room. Even if you disagree with Rowdy, you should absolutely respect his opinion because he’s earned it.
Rowdy loves his career and he’s in his 60s. Can’t speak for him, but living in Colo Springs is hurdle–and he’s done that service there already. Rowdy is a largely the force behind USA Swimming Foundation. He headed it at launch and into the developmental years.
I absolutely remember that. Shaun Jordan used to talk about it a lot when Rowdy started everything. Yeah, the people who only know Rowdy from announcing are really missing out. Just a great guy and I’m not sure there has ever been a bigger advocate for the sport.
Rowdy and his wife have recently purchased a home in Salt Lake City and will be moving there where some of their family lives. He’s not moving to the Springs as Mel has stated. But I’m sure he will maintain his presence in the sport even after he is done with NBC after 2028, but not as CEO.
…I didn’t say he was moving to the Springs. I said moving there is a hurdle, and he’s already done time in the Springs. I’m aware of his SLC plans.
I was agreeing with your “been there done that” comment.
Sorry… moving too fast doing 3 things at once.
You know that’s how the conclave actually started. When the college of cardinals just parked in Viterbo for almost three years, ate all their food, drank all their wine and… well, you know, were overall debauched nightmares. The people of Viterbo finally locked them in, only gave them water and bread, took off the roof the palace they were staying in and made them choose a pope…