Mike Unger Chosen as Ben Franklin Award Recipient – College Swimming and Diving Coaches Affiliation

“Mike Unger’s career reflects a lifetime of dedicated service to swimming,” stated CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany. “His vision, leadership, and behind-the-scenes commitment to excellence, across multiple organizations and on the global stage, have elevated competitive swimming and expanded opportunities for athletes, coaches, and administrators alike. He truly embodies the spirit of the Ben Franklin Award.”

Unger’s affect on the game spans over three many years. During greater than 28 years with USA Swimming, he served in quite a few senior management roles, together with Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Executive Director, National Events Director, Marketing Director, and National Team Coordinator.

In these roles, Unger oversaw the planning and execution of lots of the sport’s most important occasions, together with the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials, the Golden Goggle Awards, the Duel within the Pool, and the Pan Pacific Championships. His work helped elevate each the athlete and fan expertise whereas setting new requirements for occasion presentation and organizational excellence. He additionally performed an vital position in USA Swimming’s worldwide relations, strengthening partnerships throughout the worldwide swimming neighborhood.

“Mike Unger has been the backbone of American swimming for the past thirty years. If something important happens in our sport, he has invariably played a role. He is a great leader and innovator, and he cares deeply about our sport, its coaches, and its athletes,” stated Dale Neuburger, an internationally revered sports activities govt, present Treasurer for World Aquatics and former CSCAA Executive Director (1989-1991).

Since 1996, Unger has been deeply concerned in swimming’s tv and broadcast presence, working carefully with NBC Sports and the U.S. Olympic broadcast community. He contributed to tv manufacturing for seven Olympic Games: Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo, serving to deliver the game to tens of millions of viewers worldwide. His work earned three Emmy Awards as a part of NBC’s Olympic manufacturing groups.

Since 2021, Unger has continued his service to the worldwide sport neighborhood as a Senior Advisor with World Aquatics (previously FINA), the place he helps strategic competitors initiatives and long-term sport improvement on a worldwide scale.

“This award recognizes individuals whose leadership produces lasting benefits for our entire sport,” Barany added. “Mike’s career is defined by quiet leadership, thoughtful innovation, and an unwavering commitment to serving swimming at every level.”

Unger’s contributions have additionally been acknowledged broadly throughout the game. In 2023, he acquired the USA Swimming Award, the group’s highest honor for behind-the-scenes service, and was additionally named a recipient of an International Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatic Award, additional underscoring his enduring impression on the swimming neighborhood.

CSCAA members can register for the Annual Meetings and Awards Celebration at right here. All registrations embrace a ticket to the Awards Ceremony at Joe’s Live! Questions will be directed to: [email protected].

Previous Recipients

2025 – Sid Cassidy, North Carolina State University
2024 – Kyle Sockwell, Swimming Twitter
2023 – John Urbanchek, University of Michigan
2022 – Sage Hopkins, San Jose State University
2021 – Tim Welsh, University of Notre Dame
2019 – John Benedick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2018 – Kevin Polansky, Announcer & Supporter
2017 – Michael Sutton, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges
2016 – Brad Erickson, South Dakota State University
2015 – Robert Clauson, Innovator
2014 – Bill Boomer, University of Rochester
2013 – Whit Babcock, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
2012 – Brent Rutemiller, Swimming World Publisher
2011 – David Roach, Fordham University
2010 – Ernie Maglischo, Author/Innovator
2009 – Susan Petersen Lubow, Springfield College
2008 – Dr. Myles Brand, NCAA President