Sid Cassidy Honored with 2025 Benjamin Franklin Award

Sid Cassidy has been named the CSCAA’s Ben Franklin Award Winner.

February 6, 2025 - The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is proud to honor Stephen “Sid” Cassidy as the 2025 recipient of the Ben Franklin Award, celebrating his extraordinary contributions to collegiate and open-water swimming and his lifelong commitment to the sport.

As a collegiate swimmer, Cassidy swim for North Carolina State University where he had a standout career, achieving All-American status in 1975 and 1976. Cassidy won eight ACC individual swimming titles for the Wolfpack – two in the 200, and three straight in the 500 and 1,650. He was also part of the Wolfpack’s 800-meter relay team that swept three straight ACC meet titles.

He is currently the Aquatics Director and Head Coach at Saint Andrew’s School in Florida and  built a legacy that spans decades, blending his expertise in coaching, administration, and advocacy for the sport. Known for his significant influence in open-water swimming, Cassidy played an instrumental role in establishing the 10K Olympic Marathon Swim as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His vision and leadership have shaped open-water swimming at the highest levels, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage.

Cassidy’s collegiate coaching career includes tenures as the head coach at James Madison University and the University of Miami, where he guided over 30 student-athletes to All-American honors. His dedication to nurturing talent and fostering success extended far beyond the pool deck, as he cultivated a culture of excellence, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

For nearly 20 years, Cassidy has been a cornerstone of the Saint Andrew’s aquatics program, earning five Florida High School Coach of the Year honors. Under his guidance, Saint Andrew’s swimmers have excelled nationally and internationally, with several advancing to Olympic levels of competition. Beyond coaching, Cassidy co-owns Saint Andrew’s Aquatics and the Florida Swim School alongside his wife, Kara, further extending his influence in the swimming community.

Cassidy’s impact on the sport was also recognized in September 2024, when he was inducted into the International Swim Coaches Association (ISCA) Hall of Fame. This honor solidified his reputation as a visionary leader and advocate for swimming, particularly in the open-water discipline.

The Franklin Award not only celebrates Cassidy’s professional achievements but also highlights his profound influence on countless athletes and coaches throughout his career. His passion for the sport, dedication to athlete development, and unwavering commitment to the swimming community embodies the values of the CSCAA and the spirit of the Franklin Award.

Sid Cassidy’s remarkable journey in the sport continues to inspire the next generation of athletes, coaches, and advocates. The CSCAA congratulates him on this well-deserved honor and thanks him for his lasting contributions to the sport of swimming.


CSCAA members can register for the 64th Annual Meetings and Awards Celebration at www.cscaa.org/meetings. All registrations include a ticket to the Awards Ceremony at the Marriott Crabtree in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Previous Recipients

2024 - Kyle Sockwell, Swimming Twitter 2023 - John Urbanchek, Head Coach University of Michigan 2022 - Sage Hopkins, Head Coach and Advocate 2021 - Tim Welsh, Head Coach & Educator
2019 - John Benedick, Head Coach & Administrator
2018 - Kevin Polansky, Announcer & Supporter
2017 - Michael Sutton, Head Coach & Administrator
2016 - Brad Erickson, Head Coach & Administrator
2015 - Robert Clauson, Innovator
2014 - Bill Boomer, Coach
2013 - Whit Babcock, Athletic Director
2012 - Brent Rutemiller, Publisher
2011 - David Roach, Athletic Director
2010 - Ernie Maglischo, Retired
2009 - Susan Petersen Lubow, Athletic Director
2008 - Dr. Myles Brand, NCAA President

About the CSCAA

Founded in 1922, the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is the first professional association of college coaches in the United States.  The CSCAA is dedicated to serving and providing leadership for the advancement of the sport of swimming and diving at the collegiate level. The CSCAA works to

  • protect, promote and expand competitive intercollegiate swimming and diving programs; 

  • recognize outstanding achievements by coaches, swimmers and divers;

  • promote communication and cooperation within swimming and diving and with our partner National Governing Bodies, the NCAA, NAIA and Junior College Associations;

  • provide ongoing educational and leadership training for coaches and athletes; and serve as a resource to its membership and for the general public.

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