Mike Unger Wins 2026 Ben Franklin Award
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is proud to announce that Mike Unger, a longtime leader in the swimming community whose work has shaped elite competition, event management, and the global presentation of the sport, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 CSCAA Ben Franklin Award.
Unger, a standout student-athlete, swam and graduated from the University of Wisconsin. He spent three seasons as an assistant swim coach for the Badgers from 1989–92.
The Ben Franklin Award honors pioneering individuals or organizations whose leadership, innovation, and service advance the integrity of the student-athlete experience. Contributions may be technical, social, economic, or demonstrated through sustained leadership that enhances collegiate athletics and the broader sport ecosystem.
“Mike Unger’s career reflects a lifetime of dedicated service to swimming,” said CSCAA Executive Director Samantha Barany. “His vision, leadership, and behind-the-scenes commitment to excellence, across multiple organizations and on the global stage, have elevated competitive swimming and expanded opportunities for athletes, coaches, and administrators alike. He truly embodies the spirit of the Ben Franklin Award.”
Unger’s influence on the sport spans over three decades. During more than 28 years with USA Swimming, he served in numerous senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer, Assistant Executive Director, National Events Director, Marketing Director, and National Team Coordinator.
In those roles, Unger oversaw the planning and execution of many of the sport’s most significant events, including the U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials, the Golden Goggle Awards, the Duel in the Pool, and the Pan Pacific Championships. His work helped elevate both the athlete and fan experience while setting new standards for event presentation and organizational excellence. He also played an important role in USA Swimming’s international relations, strengthening partnerships across the global swimming community.
“Mike Unger has been the backbone of American swimming for the past thirty years. If something important happens in our sport, he has invariably played a role. He is a great leader and innovator, and he cares deeply about our sport, its coaches, and its athletes,” said Dale Neuburger, an internationally respected sports executive, current Treasurer for World Aquatics and former CSCAA Executive Director (1989-1991).
Since 1996, Unger has been deeply involved in swimming’s television and broadcast presence, working closely with NBC Sports and the U.S. Olympic broadcast network. He contributed to television production for seven Olympic Games: Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo, helping bring the sport to millions of viewers worldwide. His work earned three Emmy Awards as part of NBC’s Olympic production teams.
Since 2021, Unger has continued his service to the international sport community as a Senior Advisor with World Aquatics (formerly FINA), where he supports strategic competition initiatives and long-term sport development on a global scale.
“This award recognizes individuals whose leadership produces lasting benefits for our entire sport,” Barany added. “Mike’s career is defined by quiet leadership, thoughtful innovation, and an unwavering commitment to serving swimming at every level.”
Unger’s contributions have also been recognized broadly across the sport. In 2023, he received the USA Swimming Award, the organization’s highest honor for behind-the-scenes service, and was also named a recipient of an International Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatic Award, further underscoring his enduring impact on the swimming community.
Ben Franklin Award Winners
- 2025 – Sid Cassidy, North Carolina State University
- 2024 – Kyle Sockwell, Swimming Twitter
- 2023 – John Urbanchek, University of Michigan
- 2022 – Sage Hopkins, San Jose State University
- 2021 – Tim Welsh, University of Notre Dame
- 2019 – John Benedick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 2018 – Kevin Polansky, Announcer & Supporter
- 2017 – Michael Sutton, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges
- 2016 – Brad Erickson, South Dakota State University
- 2015 – Robert Clauson, Innovator
- 2014 – Bill Boomer, University of Rochester
- 2013 – Whit Babcock, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
- 2012 – Brent Rutemiller, Swimming World Publisher
- 2011 – David Roach, Fordham University
- 2010 – Ernie Maglischo, Author/Innovator
- 2009 – Susan Petersen Lubow, Springfield College
- 2008 – Dr. Myles Brand, NCAA President
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with CSCAA. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.