Whitten Wraps CSCAA Tenure, Groseth Tabbed

Three years ago Phil Whitten took the reins of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America  - a nearly-insolvent an organization with a credibility problem among its membership.  On June 30th, he will complete his tenure as Executive Director, having restored the CSCAA's credibility and, with the work of Treasurer Chuck Knoles and accountant Paul Barrett, rebuilt the organization's financial footing. 

In a letter to membership, CSCAA President George Kennedy thanked Whitten, "For his service to our organization, his love of our sport, and the time spent with our coaches and administrators." 

In his place, Bob Groseth will be named the CSCAA Executive Director.  Groseth will be stepping down from his position at Northwestern University to assume the role.  "As a coach, my job was to push people outside of their 'comfort zone', explained the longtime Wildcat coach, "As I approached my 20th year at Northwestern, I started to feel the need to get outside of my comfort zone."

"As a coach, my job was to push people outside of their `comfort zone.' As I approached my 20th year at Northwestern, I started to feel the need to get outside of my comfort zone," Groseth said. "My years here have been great and the school and administration have treated me well. I leave with even more respect for the institution than I had when I started 20 years ago. I have seen a transformation of the Athletic Department and Northwestern Men's Swimming from a perennial doormat to a perennial contender. I take pride in being part of that process and thank the many people who have helped make it happen."

"We are very pleased that Bob is stepping in this direction for the CSCAA," President George Kennedy said. "He is a leader in our sport and is passionate about the issues that college swimming faces today. The entire CSCAA Board welcomes Bob Groseth, and we look forward to his leadership in the next year."

Groseth has been a longtime activist for saving college swimming.  Over time, his advocacy and participation has grown.  Three years ago, he was a part of the committee that selected his CSCAA predecessor , and two years ago he was voted in as President Elect of the organization. 

Groseth began his coaching duties at Northwestern in 1989, taking over a team that finished last in the Big Ten in each of the 11 seasons prior to his arrival. During his tenure Groseth built the Wildcats into a contender, finishing in the upper half of the conference in seven-consecutive years from 2001-07, including a third-place effort in 2004. Northwestern also had a five-year stretch from 2004-08 in which it was a top-12 team in the nation in each season, peaking with a modern era-best sixth-place finish in 2007.

"This is certainly a day of very mixed emotions. We are all happy for Bob but sad that we are losing a tremendous coach, teacher and person," NU Director of Athletics and Recreation Jim Phillips said. "We want to express our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Coach Groseth for his 20 years of dedicated service to Northwestern athletics. Bob has left an indelible mark at Northwestern with the success of our men's swimming and diving program, and that is a legacy that will remain here forever. We wish Bob the very best of luck as he takes this new step in his career."