In the competitive swimming landscape, organizations play a central role in shaping how athletes compete, develop, and progress through the sport. One such organization is the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA).
Founded by Doug Fonder (CEO), ISCA has become a recognized presence in competitive swimming, particularly through its championship events and its involvement with swimmers and coaches across different levels of the sport. While the organization’s scope and influence have grown over time, its purpose and direction are best explained by the person who created it.
BTW sat down with Mr. Fonder at his 2026 ISCA January Classic on January 18, 2026, at the Hampton Aquaplex in Hampton, Virginia, to discuss why the organization was formed, the principles that guided its creation, and his view of its role in the broader swimming ecosystem. The conversation also explores Doug’s personal history in the sport, his perspective as a leader, and the advice he would offer to swimmers, coaches, and parents navigating competitive swimming today.
Tom Schmidt: For those who may not be familiar, what is ISCA and why does it exist?
Doug Fonder: ISCA stands for the International Swim Coaches Association, and we consult with foreign countries, China and different places on swimming, which you build learn to swim programs. We have a large fundraiser that we’re going to announce this spring, which is “relate water.” And basically, we’re building water places in Africa, so people have drinking water. We run 11 different events. We run an ESPY type award, it’s gonna be called the Oracle awards. Just do a lot of you know, a lot of things to promote swimming.
TS: Okay, when ISCA first launched, what problem were you most determined to solve?
DF: Basically, running, swimmer friendly meets, meets that the kids had fun at and just made them just slight difference, you know what I’m saying?
TS: How has this evolved from the early days, and what has stayed consistent throughout the growth?
DF: It’s been consistent right from the very beginning. I mean, we had a goal of running events. Doing that, we run very successful events. We run clinics, everything we started out, we continue to do, we just do more of them?
TS: Okay, what challenges facing swimmers, coaches or programs concern you the most right now?
DF: My biggest concern right now is the US at an Olympic level, we’re falling, and the reason is, is that we are spending a lot of our time training our competitors, and we really have to take a hard look at how we’re going to go in the future. You know, are we going to coach every athlete that wants to be coached by America’s great coaches? Are we going to coach Americans to be the best in the world? And that’s a real tipsy question.
TS: How do you see ISCA influence in the future of competitive swimming over the next 5 to 10 years?
DF: I really don’t think about it, we just go about doing what we do. And, you know, hopefully we touch enough people, you know.
TS: Now let’s talk about you personally. How did swimming first become part of your life?
DF: When I was in graduate school, I needed a part time job, and I had played football at the University of Miami, who are going to win the national championship Monday night, but there was a packer alumni got me a job, and he was head of Parks and Rec and included coach the swim team, and that’s how I got into it.
TS: Do you have family members involved in swimming? And if so, how has that shaped how you view the sport from a parent or family standpoint?
DF: I had six children. They all swam. They all received college swimming scholarships, and I coached everyone and what we did is, when we left the pool, that would be it, we never talked swimming again until we got to the pool again.
TS: I have one more question actually. To close, what do you hope ISCA’s legacy, and your own, will be within the sport of swimming.
DF: The main thing, I just hope that we help people. You know, we help clubs. I had a call yesterday from a club that’s having some crisis. You know, could I help them out there? And you know, it should just help the sport I grew up in and I coached for 56 years. So you know, I’ve been at it for a long time.
TS: Fantastic. Well, thank you, Doug. I definitely appreciate it. Thank you so much.
This interview was conducted on a voluntary basis, and no party received any compensation. I extend my sincere thanks to Doug Fonder for generously taking the time, during a busy meet weekend, to share his insights and participate in this conversation.
While at the 2026 ISCA January Classic in Hampton, Virginia, BTW also spoke with several coaches from across the country. In upcoming posts, they share their perspectives on the meet, their experiences with ISCA competitions, and why they chose to bring their clubs to this event. Be sure to check back as these interviews are released for deeper insight into how coaches view the role of ISCA in today’s swimming landscape.