TAMARA NATASHA SPENC
BYU’s Sports Information Department has announced that Tim Powers, head coach of the BYU men’s swim team, has been elected to the board of directors of the Collegiate Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).
Entering his 22nd year as head coach of the men’s swim team, Powers was nominated by the current board of directors to serve as a member of the CSCAA board. The nominations that made him a contender for this coveted seat came from the body of the convention.
“This is the second time I’ve served on the College Swim Coaches Association of America,” Powers said. “The first time I served was in 1984. It’s a tremendous honor to serve on this board.”
The CSCAA determines national rankings as well as All-American awards. It also deals with gender equity issues and congressional issues that concern the sport, Powers said.
Powers’ work organizing last spring’s national coaches meeting in Park City was a factor in him getting nominated to the board of directors stated Powers. His work in organizing the meeting and securing the sponsorship for the event impressed his colleagues.
Ralph Zobell, BYU sports information director, has known Powers for several years and believes his personal assets will contribute positively to the goals of the CSCAA. “Coach Powers is very cooperative to work with. He goes to great lengths to care about his athletes,” he said.
Noted for his role as BYU’s head swim coach, Powers has also trained swimmers from Finland to Singapore that went on to compete in various Olympics.David Lin, Oon Jin Teik and Oon Jin Jee of Singapore trained under Powers and represented their country in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. BYU swimmers Ng Yue Meng and David Lim of Singapore competed in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Tomislav Karlo of Croatia and Kristian Johanson of Finland swam for their respective countries in the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Powers said the CSCAA’s 1996 agenda will address a variety of issues, including post-graduate scholarships for swimmers.
“I’m happy to serve this organization in any way that I can,” Powers said. “This is a prestigious honor. I’m glad to have been nominated a second time.”
