COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  - USA Swimming, the National Governing Body of swimming in the United States, has announced the appointment of Brendan Hansen as its National Junior Team Director, effective November 4. Hansen will lead all aspects of the National Junior Team by developing and maintaining programs that serve as the pathway from elite-level age group swimmers to the Olympic Games. 

Hansen brings decades of experience in the sport, most recently as Director of Team Services for USA Swimming. Since joining the USA Swimming staff in 2019, he has been integral in developing education and resources for coaches and clubs via a team of advisors dedicated to member service. A three-time in-venue host at Olympic Trials and staff leader for multiple international competitions, Hansen is known for bringing excitement, energy, and passion to his roles. With Hansen at the helm for the 2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships, the young Americans won the team award with an impressive 44 medals.

“Brendan offers unique experience to this role; he has been an athlete, a coach, and a staff member, so he understands the concerns and motivation of so many of our key stakeholders,” USA Swimming Chief Operating Officer and interim Chief Executive Officer Shana Ferguson said. “We are thrilled Brendan is moving to the National Team staff to help propel our National Junior Team program through the next quad.”

A six-time Olympic medalist and 25-time international medalist, Hansen captained three Olympic teams throughout his career. A respected leader among his peers, Hansen will now focus on developing the next generation of USA Swimming athletes.  A former 100m and 200m breaststroke world record holder, 13-time NCAA champion, and 16-time All-American, the breaststroke specialist understands the opportunity LA 2028 offers and will be a critical part of athlete development ahead of a rare domestic Olympic Games.

“Once I made the National Junior Team in 1997, I had mentors guide me to the National Team and consistent successes for 13 years across three quadrennium,” Hansen said. “I look forward to the opportunity to be that leader while connecting current athletes with my generation of National Junior Team and National Team alumni. It can truly be a life-changing moment for an athlete and coach to make the National Junior team roster, and I am excited to be part of the internal team that drives that experience for them.”

After retiring from swimming, Brendan started a USA Swimming Club program in Austin, TX - Austin Swim Club. As Head Coach, Hansen built a program of over 300 club swimmers and qualified as a USA Swimming Club Excellence Gold Medal Team. In 2016, Austin Swim Club qualified 10 swimmers for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Swimming and finished as a top three team at both Winter and Junior National Championships.

A native of Haverford, Pa., Hansen earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from The University of Texas in 2005. He is a member of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2024), The University of Texas Athletics Hall of Honor (2015), the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame (2015), and the International Swimming Hall of Fame (2020). 

USA Swimming’s National Team Division works to support USA Swimming’s best athletes and coaches in their pursuit of Olympic and international success. For more on the USA Swimming National Junior Team, click here.

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