Jim Wood, a former president of USA Swimming, died on January 4th. He was 68 years old. Wood leaves behind a big legacy in American swimming that spans decades, including as a member of 3 Olympic delegations.
Wood’s first national leadership position was the Chairman of USA Swimming’s Time Standard Committee, which he served from 1992-2004. Wood also served as Chairman of the USA Swimming Olympic International Operations Committee and was part of the USA Swimming delegation for the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Olympics.
Wood was the first swim coach to be elected as the President of USA Swimming in 2006. Wood also went on to serve as President of United States Aquatic Sports that same year. In 2011, Wood was inducted to the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Hall of Fame. In 2015, Wood was voted one of the “30 Most Influential People in Swimming Over the Past 30 Years”.
Most recently, Wood served as Chairman of the USA Swimming Steering Committee and was member of the USA Swimming Board of Directors and the USA Swimming Foundation. Along with his national legacy, Wood also leaves behind the Berkeley Aquatic Club in New Jersey. He was the head coach of BAC at the time of his death.
His colleague Sid Cassidy, a fellow swim coach and national administrator, wrote about Wood’s passing, “It is with great sadness I share this news – Jim was a mentor, a confidante, a brother to me – His contributions to the sport have been incredible and we are all hurting today. Peace.”
He was my coach. R.I.P Jim. 😢
Jim was an inspiration for all the work with him. May he rest in peace.
Jim Wood was for me”the Man” as a swimmer and then as a coach and friend. I have admired and respected all that he has done for the sport of swimming and the people whose lives he touched. We were all lucky to have had him in our lives.
Jim was our coach at UNC in the 70’s and taught us all countless lessons. He always did it with integrity and honesty, but still was able to push us to get better. Jim taught us that the “whole person steps up” in races and in life. I have the privilege of coaching one of Jim’s Berkeley swimmers at Loyola University in Maryland. Loyola senior Brook Sharkey wrote the following of Jim:
“Jim taught me countless life lessons. He taught me that practice makes permanent; that you need to work hard for something you want; and you never give up in that pursuit. He was always there for me, especially during the tough times. I will miss his texts after… Read more »
So sad to hear about Jim Wood. I knew him briefly while at BAC. A friendly, intuitive person who took interest and commented on swimming even to help improve the least of swimmers, me. Thank you Jim for all you have done. Sorry to have not known you better. Pax at Amor. Pia
Really sad to hear. Jim was a great friend and ultimate professional. He will be missed ans swimming has lost one of the best advocates for the sport.
I found out from Megan Jendrick’s heart felt post on FB about this. He sounded like a wonderful man
A loss for many. He leaves behind his seasoned Club, Berkeley Aquatic Club, which I remember it’s humble beginnings. Great job Jim! Rest now in Peace! 🎶☮️🐬