Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s leading swim school franchises, is proud to announce that Tom Dolan, president of Owned Pools, has been elected to the USA Swimming Board of Directors. Dolan, a former Olympic swimmer and medalist, will serve a four-year term through 2030, bringing his extensive experience in competitive swimming and industry leadership to the organization.
As president of Owned Pools at Big Blue Swim School, Dolan oversees 22 locations, supporting daily operations, instructional standards and the overall experience for families. His leadership helps advance Big Blue’s mission to show kids they can do anything by unlocking their full potential in the water.
“Swimming has been such an important pillar of my life, and I’m grateful for another opportunity to give back to a mission that has given me so much,” says Dolan. “From my years competing to now helping new generations of swimmers, I’ve seen firsthand how the lessons learned in the pool extend far beyond the water. Swimming teaches confidence, discipline, perseverance and the ability to overcome challenges, all of which are skills that can shape who people become. I’m excited to bring that perspective to the board and work alongside others who share a commitment to supporting athletes at every level and strengthening the future of swimming.”
During his swimming career, Dolan represented the United States at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, earning two gold medals and one silver before being inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Following his retirement from competition, he founded Tom Dolan Swim School, which later merged with Big Blue Swim School, with the goal of helping children develop confidence and important life skills through swimming. As a father of four, Dolan also understands firsthand the importance of helping children build confidence and develop skills that extend beyond the pool. He has previously served as an athlete member of the USA Swimming Board of Directors and on the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Advisory Council.
“We’re incredibly proud of Tom and excited to see him take on this role with USA Swimming,” says Chris DeJong, founder and president of Big Blue Swim School. “Tom has accomplished so much throughout his career, but what stands out to me is how he’s continued to use that experience to make a difference for others. He brings that same passion and commitment to the Big Blue team every day, and I know he’ll bring a valuable perspective to the board. We’re fortunate to have him as part of our leadership team and look forward to seeing the impact he makes in this upcoming chapter.”
As the national governing body for competitive swimming in the United States, USA Swimming supports athletes, coaches and clubs while helping guide the sport’s future. Dolan will serve in an at-large seat on the organization’s Board of Directors, contributing his perspective to its ongoing efforts to strengthen competitive swimming nationwide.
