Steve Roush is resigning as CEO of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) after less than a year in the post. ASCA announced the news today.
Roush officially took over as CEO on January 1. He replaced John Leonard, who had previously led ASCA for 35 years. But Roush will officially step down on October 15, only about nine months into his time as CEO. Roush cited “personal and professional reasons” for his resignation, noting the “impact of COVID-19” on ASCA’s operations and revenue.
ASCA’s press release included the following statement:
“It is with extreme sadness that I announce my resignation as Chief Executive Officer of The ASCA effective October 15. I came to the ASCA with enthusiasm to make it the model of coaches’ associations around the world. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on the organization related to revenue generation and operations, I feel it is imperative that I step down due to both personal and professional reasons. I believe that the ASCA can come out of the pandemic as a strong viable organization and I will support my successor in the transition as well as in the future. I am forever grateful to the ASCA Board and staff for their support during my brief tenure.”
A search for a new CEO will begin immediately, with a September 15 application deadline.
Paris Jacobs, who has served as the COO of ASCA, also resigned last week. Jacobs filled a number of crucial roles within the organization, including managing the annual ASCA Convention.
AHA! There my be some unpleasant information and lawsuits coming in the future dealing with previous Sexual abuse hidden by USA swimming and ASCA’s inaction but promoting those coaches into the Hall of Fame. who would want to deal with that?
Me. Keep them off the deck.
ASCA has great potential as an organization and could thrive. It is still stuck in the last century and run strictly by Swim Coaches with kind motives, but not exactly business experts looking to excel, more survive or expand self interests. Sorry fellow coaches, we tend to be some of the least coachable people and worst businessman I’ve run into. Based on what I’ve seen behind the scenes with asca meetings…it’s best to not be the captain of a sinking ship and probably a smart move.
JL ran ASCA for himself. Probably a lot of shady stuff he is finding.
Like penthouse suites at ASCA Congresses!
Who owns ASCA?
I heard John Leonard owns it – but I don’t believe that is true.
Theoretically, we as coaches own it.
Can we all just now agree upon as professionals that the whole ASCA “Levels” were just a crock of crap made up in order to bring in more $$. I’ve met 24yo ASCA Level 4 and 5 coaches who received that “status” because their HC signed off on it just to make the club look better, but hadn’t been on a national level meet pool deck ever in their life and I’ve also met coaches who have produced nationally ranked and internationally ranked swimmers who never even joined ASCA. Smh. The Level 3 course was terribly outdated and let’s not forget the John Bitter fiasco where literally one month prior to his getting arrested for embezzlement of club money he… Read more »
The entire educational program is a waste of money. It was all devised so John Leonard could swindle people out of their money. They don’t care if it actually means anything or coaches actually meet the requirements. USA swimming should end the relationship and developed their own educational program.
I think they are. I don’t know if they’re totally severing, but as I understand, USA Swimming is trying to take back control of coach education. That’s why we saw John Leonard and his friend Craig Lord go after USA Swimming so hard earlier this year/late last year.
Guess we will have to continue to wait for training schools to get updated…
Really expect someone who has been in the job for 35 years to actually set back, let alone create a conducive succession environment ?
This guy never had a chance.
Yes, ASCA proves the saying, “There are lies, damn lies and statistics”. ASCA has had two CEOs in a little less than 36 years – must be a really stable organization.
Depending on how you want to look at it, ASCA has only had 4 Leaders in 60 years. Two of which combined for almost 55 years and one died suddenly after less than 2 years. Pretty stable leadership…..
Did John Leonard really step back?
Roush was a bad choice, but I heard Leonard was stabbing him in the back at every turn.
Can just imagine, so entrenched.
Roush was a great choice. He is an honest, intelligent, professional leader. This is exactly what we needed for a ASCA leader.