MJ Truex, Sarah Winstead & Dan McCarthy

Courtesy: American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA)

Fort Lauderdale, FL — The American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) has introduced a strategic enlargement of its group, welcoming three extremely revered new hires — MJ Truex, Sarah Winstead, and Dan McCarthy. These revered professionals within the swimming neighborhood carry deep expertise in coach improvement, membership development, and occasion programming, positioning ASCA to ship extra in-person studying, modern on-line schooling, and accessible member help to coaches at each stage.

Mariejo “MJ” Truex joins ASCA as Director of Programs and Events. With three a long time of expertise in teaching, program improvement, membership companies, and group help, Truex is a extremely revered strategic and people-focused chief. During the previous 20 years at USA Swimming, she managed in depth program portfolios, overseeing companies for greater than 18,000 coaches, 2,700 groups, and quite a few Local Swim Committees (LSC). Truex has a confirmed observe report in enhancing member engagement and satisfaction via initiatives just like the launch and enlargement of USA Swimming University, in addition to her work in variety, fairness, and inclusion, and nationwide coach and athlete improvement packages. MJ brings over 25 years of collegiate and membership teaching expertise to the function.

Sarah Winstead has been employed as Membership Development Manager. A former Division I swimmer at Clemson University and membership swimmer within the Atlanta space, Winstead brings a powerful background in membership-focused communications and digital technique from roles spanning non-public membership membership administration, college admissions advertising and marketing, and most not too long ago health teaching and model improvement with Team Pro Physique. During her tenure on the Atlanta Athletic Club, she labored on campaigns that elevated retention and helped construct a waitlist of potential members, whereas coordinating CRM-driven communications, launching new digital platforms, and main initiatives to maintain members knowledgeable and engaged.

Dan McCarthy joins ASCA as Coach Education Consultant. For the previous 20 years, McCarthy was a valued member of the USA Swimming workers, most not too long ago serving as Director of Coach Education, the place he led skilled improvement initiatives for greater than 10,000 coaches, oversaw schooling and certification methods. He additionally led the event of USA Swimming University, an award-winning studying platform acknowledged with a Brandon Hall Gold Award. Earlier, McCarthy spent greater than 15 years as venture supervisor for sport efficiency initiatives with USA Swimming, specializing in data-driven program improvement {and professional} studying. He holds an MBA from Point Park University, and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Growing Roles for Growing Services

In addition to the brand new hires, ASCA workers member Russell Mark, a world-renowned stroke approach professional, is engaged on new and modern schooling choices, such because the ASCA Technique Pod and the brand new Stroke Lab Live webinar sequence.

To additional help the group’s continued development, veteran ASCA workers member Dr. Ariel Hodges, PhD, has assumed expanded operational obligations, together with her title altering to Director of Online Education and Operations. ASCA has additionally created a brand new Financial and Administrative Manager place, which is at the moment posted and has not but been stuffed.

“Guided by the strategic leadership of our Board of Directors, this expansion positions ASCA to have an even greater impact on the coaching profession,” mentioned Bill Dorenkott, ASCA President and Head Coach at Ohio State University. “By investing in people and programs, we’re strengthening the support system for coaches and helping shape the future of our sport.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome this talented group to the ASCA team,” mentioned ASCA Chief Executive Officer Jennifer LaMont. “They each bring a deep understanding of both swimming and service, and together, they’ll help us offer more to coaches, expand access to professional development, and build an even stronger sense of community across our sport.”

Expanding Programs and Vision

ASCA’s workers enlargement comes throughout a interval of transformation for the group. Over the previous yr, ASCA has expanded its regional clinics to incorporate the Pacific, Central States, Eastern States, and International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Clinics, whereas additionally including clinics in collaboration with LSCs throughout the nation.

Looking forward, ASCA’s priorities embrace a serious replace to its Certification Program, enhanced digital schooling choices, expanded social media engagement, deeper collaboration with USA Swimming, and new initiatives designed to help coaches coming into the occupation.