Throughout an illustrious career, Neuburger has held prominent leadership positions domestically in aquatics, serving as president of United States Aquatic Sports, president of USA Swimming, and chairman of the board of directors at the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Neuburger’s leadership extended to two terms as President of USA Swimming and United States Aquatic Sports (USAS), as well as representing the National Federation within World Aquatics. At the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, he was elected Vice President of World Aquatics. Neuburger was re-elected four more times before being promoted to Treasurer of World Aquatics in 2021 and re-elected in 2023.

Sport Passion Begins Early | Neuburger’s Formative Years

A native of Buffalo, New York, Neuburger’s passion for aquatics began as an age-group swimmer, later serving as team captain at Williston Academy and earning varsity letters as a swimmer at Princeton University.

Neuburger returned to Buffalo, where he coached club and high school swim teams before becoming the Assistant Coach of Syracuse University’s Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams—one of the first combined collegiate programmes in the country.

In 1979, Neuburger shifted from coaching to administration, taking on the role of Aquatics Director for the Syracuse City School District, including programmes and events at Max Newman Pool at Nottingham High School - the first 50m indoor swimming pool at a public high school in the USA. At the 1981 National Sports Festival, he was Competition Manager for the four aquatic sports.

From New York to Indiana | 1987 Pan American Games come to the USA

Building on his successes in Syracuse, Neuburger was recruited as Assistant Athletic Director at Indiana University, where he managed three new sports venues being built for the 1982 National Sports Festival and the 1987 Pan American Games: the Indianapolis Sports Center, the Indiana University Track Stadium, and the Indiana University Natatorium. He organised and oversaw significant competitions for the next ten years, including the U.S. Olympic Trials, NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, and the Pan American Games. 

In 1993, Neuburger became President of Indiana Sports Corporation. During his twelve years in that position, he oversaw more than 200 major sports events that brought more than $2 billion USD of economic impact, including the 2004 edition of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), the first to be staged in an NBA arena.

His signature accomplishment led the effort to relocate the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Federation of High School Associations to Indianapolis.

Lifelong Contributions to Aquatics

Dale Neuburger is the longest-serving American representative in the history of World Aquatics. He continues to serve as the Liaison to the World Aquatics Technical Swimming Committee and was the Technical Delegate for swimming at five Olympics, including at the Paris 2024 Games. He is also the founding Chairman of the World Aquatics Development Programme, the most extensive grant programme in the Olympic family.

In 2023, Neuburger received the esteemed George M. Steinbrenner III Sport Leadership Award for his contribution to the Olympic and Paralympic Movements.

Dale Neuburger’s career of service to aquatic sports, from age group to the Olympic level, has exemplified his willingness to give back to the sport that offered him so many opportunities. Throughout his remarkable career, Neuburger has been supported by his wife Heidi and their children, Eric and Karen, who have stood by him every step of the way.

In His Own Words | Induction of Dale Neuburger

“I offer congratulations to each of the honourees this evening for their extraordinary accomplishments, and I express my appreciation to the International Swimming Hall of Fame and its Board of Directors for this wonderful honour. Steve Jobs famously said that you can’t connect the dots looking forward, only backward. So true. When I connect the dots, looking back, I can say that swimming is truly the thread of my life. 

“My Mother, Iris, who never learned to swim herself, enrolled me in Learn to Swim class at the University of Buffalo. She sent me to summer swim camps and sacrificed so many things to allow me to train under legendary coaches. All these experiences and all her sacrifices provided the foundation for my enduring love and respect for the sport. Thanks, Mom. 

“I express my heartfelt gratitude to my wife Heidi, who allowed me to pursue my varied involvement in the sport. Heidi and I met at a swimming pool during our summer jobs, married five years later, and have been my steadfast partner for 48 years. She never said “no” to a new responsibility or opportunity, including moving to Indianapolis with two children under two years old and bouncing around in a U-Haul truck. I love you, sweetheart. You are so incredibly special. 

“To my two children, Eric and Karen, and Eric’s wife, Maggie, and their five children, Dominic, Owen, Cordelia, Milo, and Sawyer, I thank you for allowing me to share my passion for swimming. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than sharing an amazing Olympic experience with all of you as a family in Paris, transmitting the joy and magic of the Olympic Games. I love all of you very much. 

“We all need people who will give you a chance, especially when young and inexperienced. I was so fortunate to have individuals like Jon Buzzard in Syracuse, Doc Counsilman and Bob Baxter in Indianapolis who believed in my potential for success. Last, I recognise colleagues and friends – some new, some old – who have been so instrumental in my “swimming life,” some of whom are here tonight: Husain Al Musallam, Brent Nowicki, Carol Zaleski, Greg Eggert, Craig Hunter, Maureen Croes, Anthony Ervin, Mike Unger, Sid Cassidy, Shana Ferguson – thank you for providing so many opportunities for involvement and camaraderie. 

“We are so fortunate—so very fortunate—to be in a sport where athletes inspire us with their accomplishments. I have been lucky to witness many of the great moments in our sport over these past years, and I am filled with gratitude. Thank you for this great honour.”