How Can College Swimming Grow and Protect Itself in Fast-Changing NCAA Landscape? Interview with CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany
Between the dawn of the NIL era of collegiate sports, the impact of the Transfer Portal, changing conference landscapes and financial concerns, there are questions about the future of college swimming. How the sport moves forward will be a key for its survival and ability to thrive.
As part of a multi-part feature series that will address the future of college swimming and discuss its state with stakeholders, Swimming World engaged in a Q&A with Samantha Barany, the Executive Director of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Barany weighed in on the future of college swimming and what needs to be done to ensure its success as an outlet for thousands of athletes and a significant developmental base for the Olympic Games.
Swimming World: What is the current state of college swimming in this New World of collegiate sports?
Samantha Barany: In one word—vulnerable. Schools and athletic directors are under intense pressure to compete, and being competitive (primarily in football and basketball) is more costly than ever before. Swimming and diving must elevate as a sport and build their value for athletic directors and institutions to remain a healthy presence on college campuses.
SW: What are the biggest concerns facing college swimming in the months ahead?
SB: I believe the biggest challenge is generating positive momentum around what a new model of collegiate swimming and diving can look like. We must be willing to change and evolve. Our sport comprises many subgroups, and each has a role to play in shaping the solution. Moving forward, we will need to work both independently and collectively. For example, Division III can address opportunities that Division I cannot, and diving will require specific attention separate from swimming, and vice versa.Our non-NCAA teams play a unique role in keeping collegiate swimming strong and providing opportunities for high school athletes transitioning to the next level. If we all commit to taking meaningful steps forward, I believe we can meet this challenge and secure the future of our sport at every level within a stronger, more unified collegiate system.
SW: How can college swimming position itself favorably moving forward? What can be done to avoid program/budget cuts? What changes need to happen?
SB: As we look to the future the best thing we can do is evolve. For too long we’ve approached the college sport and season the same way. Thinking new and moving forward with purpose is mission-critical.
Being great partners with athletic directors, university presidents, and our communities is at the heart of this evolution. While we may not always have the ability to prevent budget cuts—those decisions often come with many layers—we can focus on spending smarter and finding innovative ways to generate income.
SW: What do coaches need to do to promote the sport and enhance its growth in the college realm?
SB: The goalposts have moved for our coaches. The responsibility to develop great swimmers and divers is no longer the sole mission of a head coach. Today, the role requires so much more—storytelling, marketing, and fundraising have become critical components of the job.
These added responsibilities present both challenges and opportunities. They allow us to amplify the incredible impact of our programs, connect with our communities, and secure the resources needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
SW: What do Athletic Directors need to realize about swimming in terms of its importance as a college sport? How can they be convinced that the sport’s role is vital?
SB: Safeguarding Olympic and broad-based sports on college campuses is critical. However, swimming and diving must also demonstrate a bigger return to the decision makers on campus when compared to other sports that are not net-positive. Our coaches should know the value of their team and be able to articulate it in an elevator pitch to anyone at any time.
Just like every other industry, it’s time to reimagine and evolve our product to draw more “users”—whether they are fans, supporters, or future champions of the sport.
SW: How can Olympic sports bond together to navigate this new environment? Is the bonding approach necessary, or have we reached an everyone-for-themselves moment?
SB: We are advocating on behalf of every college team, coach, and athlete. Whether it’s attending NCAA meetings, engaging with conference offices, or collaborating directly with campuses, the CSCAA is at the table. We’re also in Washington, D.C., bringing energy, education, and a unified voice to ensure that swimming and diving have a future.
This is a pivotal time for our sport. The CSCAA is committed to leading these efforts, but success depends on the collective energy, passion, and advocacy of everyone involved.
