USA Swimming has appointed Chrissi Rawak, the current Director of Athletics at the University of Delaware, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Rawak, a distinguished former swimmer at the University of Michigan, succeeds Tim Hinchey, who departed from USA Swimming last August.

Having served as Delaware’s Director of Athletics for nearly nine years since May 2016, Rawak made history as the first woman to hold this position. In recognition of her achievements, she was honored as the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics’ Athletic Director of the Year in 2024.

SWIMMING & COACHING BACKGROUND

Born in Newton, Pennsylvania, Rawak began her competitive journey at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, where she was part of the national championship team in 1987.

Training under the esteemed coach Dick Shoulberg, Rawak specialized in the 1500/1650 freestyle, 200 backstroke, and 400 individual medley. “Distance swimming was our primary focus under Shoulberg,” Rawak shared with SwimSwam.

She continued her swimming career at the University of Michigan, competing on the women’s swim team from 1988 to 1992, before transitioning into coaching as an assistant for the women’s team under Jim Richardson from 1992 to 1997. During this time, Rawak also directed the Wolverine Swim Camp.

Reflecting on her journey, she expressed, “I attribute who I am largely to my experiences in swimming. The discipline, focus, and perseverance I gained are invaluable.”

She also noted, “Coaching shaped my career significantly. I started as an assistant at Michigan at just 22—an incredible honor. I learned so much about building teams and developing young athletes in an environment defined by excellence.”

Rawak emphasized the collaborative aspect of coaching: “It’s essential to recognize that it’s more significant than any individual. I feel immensely grateful to continue the legacy of those who came before me.”

Her husband, Glenn, was a member of the University of Michigan men’s gymnastics team from 1988 to 1992.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY POST-COACHING

After her influential coaching role at Michigan, Rawak held the position of Director of Personnel and Business Resources in the Office of Alumni Relations and Development at Northwestern University from 1997 to 2003. During this time, she also completed a master’s degree in communication.

Upon returning to the University of Michigan, she spent seven years in the Office of University Development, eventually becoming the executive senior associate athletic director in 2011, where she oversaw external relations and strategic initiatives until 2016.

“Chrissi has a proven history of leading organizations and fostering winning teams,” stated Chris Brearton, Chair of the USA Swimming Board of Directors. “Her deep connection to our sport as an athlete and coach uniquely positions her to guide American swimming to new heights.”

In May 2016, Rawak was appointed as Delaware’s Director of Athletics.

While she hasn’t actively participated in the swimming scene since the late 1990s, Rawak has remained a dedicated follower of the sport, celebrating Delaware’s historic achievement of having its first men’s NCAA qualifier, Toni Sabev, last year.

“Swimming is truly in my blood,” she remarked. “I’ve been devoted to it since age 10, and I take pride in our accomplishments at Delaware. When I arrived, we were not competitive, but last year marked a significant milestone for our program.”

SELECTION PROCESS & COMPENSATION

In October, USA Swimming initiated the formation of a nine-member CEO Search Task Force to find Hinchey’s successor. The team was led by Katy Arris-Wilson, a fellow swimmer from the University of Texas who attended college concurrently with Rawak (1988-92).

Hinchey had been with USA Swimming for over seven years, taking the helm in 2017, before leaving following the team’s disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics, where they recorded the lowest gold medal count since 1956.

Rawak’s current salary at Delaware is approximately $648,383 for the fiscal year ending in June 2023, with additional bonuses bringing her total earnings to around $704,065.

Although her compensation at USA Swimming remains undisclosed, Hinchey earned $962,555 in 2023, with a base salary of $690,205.

The projected base salary range for the new CEO, determined by the USA Swimming Search Committee, is $500,000 to $600,000. Given Rawak’s current salary, her compensation at USA Swimming could exceed this range.

SwimSwam has reached out to USA Swimming for information regarding the new CEO’s compensation package, which legally must be disclosed by November 2025.

INITIAL GOALS & STRATEGIES

Rawak plans to reside in Colorado Springs, though her exact start date at USA Swimming HQ is yet to be confirmed. She highlighted that her first priority will be hiring a new National Team Managing Director, following the departure of former Director Lindsay Mintenko last summer around the same time as Hinchey’s exit.

Expressing her vision, Rawak emphasized the importance of listening and learning during her early days, aiming to engage with coaches, athletes, fans, and parents to shape the future of the sport.

“Our objective is to enhance and promote the sport of swimming nationwide and globally, especially with the upcoming LA Olympics on the horizon. Continuing to excel in the pool is essential, and hiring a National Team Managing Director is the first critical step,” she concluded.

Rawak also recognized the value of intentional and thoughtful conversations over the next 3-6 months to assess the next steps in a transformative era for the sport.