Kevin Ring Named New President and CEO of USA Swimming
News Summary
USA Swimming has announced Kevin Ring as its new President and CEO after a lengthy selection process lasting 371 days. He will take office on September 17, 2025, at a critical time for USA Swimming, as the organization prepares for the 2028 Olympics. Despite a background primarily in golf, Ring aims to enhance membership growth and revenue streams while addressing challenges and focusing on athlete engagement.
New Leadership at USA Swimming: Kevin Ring Takes the Helm
After a lengthy 371-day search, USA Swimming has officially announced its new President and CEO—Kevin Ring, a name that many in the sports world will recognize. Set to step into this crucial role on September 17, 2025, Ring’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for swimming in the U.S., as the organization gears up for the highly anticipated 2028 Olympics.
Transition of Power
This leadership change marks the conclusion of a rather tumultuous period for USA Swimming, which has been without a permanent CEO since Tim Hinchey’s resignation last August. Shana Ferguson briefly filled the gap, followed by a temporary appointment from Chrissi Rawak, who sadly resigned amid a SafeSport complaint. In the interim, Bob Vincent briefly took the reins before the board finally settled on Ring.
A Fresh Perspective from Golf
Before taking this new role, Ring served as the President of Golf at Legends, a company known for delivering comprehensive sports and entertainment services. Though his background lies heavily in golf and not swimming, his extensive experience at the PGA of America as both Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer makes him a formidable candidate for leading USA Swimming. He’s been known to innovate in his former roles, creating new sponsorship models and cutting deals for media rights.
Setting Ambitious Goals
With a clear focus on the future, Ring has outlined his goals for USA Swimming. He plans to concentrate on enhancing membership growth, increasing revenue streams, and capitalizing on the excitement surrounding the upcoming Olympics. His vision includes a strategy that aims to combine grassroots development with support for elite swimmers, effectively covering all bases in the swimming community.
Acknowledging Challenges
Beyond the Olympics
Though the immediate focus may be on the upcoming Olympics, Ring’s forward-thinking approach looks beyond just competitive success. His belief in empowering athlete leadership will be a cornerstone of his strategies, ensuring that athletes feel their viewpoints and experiences matter. This inclusive mindset is likely to resonate well with the swimming community, which has been feeling the heat from critics pointing to underwhelming performances at recent championships, despite a respectable haul of medals.
Understanding the Pulse of Swimming
Ring is moving into this role under the scrutiny of some critics, including those from the swimming alumni circle, who are anxious about the direction of the organization. Therefore, he’s eager to engage in conversations with them to understand their concerns and suggestions better. It’s a refreshing take from someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves and dive into the organizational culture, despite the recent challenges being faced.
A New Chapter at USA Swimming
As the clock ticks down towards his official start date, all eyes will be on Kevin Ring and his vision for USA Swimming. With a projected salary of $500,000 or more, expectations from the board and the swimming community alike will be high. Now, more than ever, USA Swimming is in need of strong and decisive leadership to guide the organization into a new era, as it prepares not just for the Olympics but for long-term success.