COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. โ On Wednesday, USA Swimming announced the appointment of Chrissi Rawak, the athletic director at the University of Delaware, as its new CEO and president.
Rawak steps into this position following the departure of Tim Hinchey, who held the role until shortly after the conclusion of last yearโs Olympic Games in Paris.
Recognized for her achievements, Rawak was honored as the Athletic Director of the Year by a national association of athletic directors in 2024. She played a critical role in launching a $38 million fundraising initiative aimed at constructing a new facility for the athletic department.
Prior to her tenure at Delaware, Rawak held an executive position within the athletic department at the University of Michigan. Her connection to Michigan runs deep as she was a member of the swimming and diving team and later served as an assistant coach for the program from 1992 to 1997.
In her new leadership position, Rawak will be tasked with revamping a U.S. Olympic swimming program that many insiders believe underperformed in the 2024 Olympics. The U.S. swimming team secured a total of 28 medals in Paris, a notably low count for the nation that hasnโt been seen since 2004, a year in which there were fewer medals awarded in total by about 12%.
Adding to the challenges Rawak faces, national program director Lindsay Mintenko also exited the federation after the Paris Games, leaving a significant transition within the organization.