RICHMOND, Va. (January 26, 2022) – The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) revealed its finalists for the National Collegiate Scholastic Trophy where Howard University Director of Swimming and Diving Nicholas Askew was among the three nominees. The announcement came Wednesday.
 
The CSCAA's biggest award is the highest honor in intercollegiate and interscholastic swimming and diving and given to the individual who has made "the greatest contribution to swimming as a competitive sport, and as a healthful, recreational activity in the province of undergraduate and scholastic education."
 
Askew, who is in his eighth season at the helm, leads the nation's only NCAA Division I HBCU swimming and diving program.
 
Since his return to his alma mater, the Kinston, N.C. native has revitalized the program with NCAA qualifiers and Olympians. In the program's first full season as a Northeast Conference associate member, Howard tops the league in seven categories (four individual events and three relay events).
 
In 2020, Askew was named Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Coach of the Year. Later that year, he took home the Maritza Correia McClendon award, presented by Diversity in Aquatics.
 
Out the pool, he has given back to the D.C. community, sparking interest in swimming for the next generation. In the summer of 2021, HU teamed with SWIM UP, INC., for a month-long summer course, providing lessons twice a week to help students become water safe.
 
Joining Askew on this year's ballot is Franklin College's Andrew Hendricks and North Carolina State's Braden Holloway.
 
All three finalists will go before a vote of CSCAA Member Coaches and be recognized at the 61^st Annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Awards on May 2 at Joe's Live in Rosemont, Ill. The trophy will be awarded by the CSCAA and National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA).
 
Since it's 62-year existence, 59 coaches have garnered the trophy. Among the recipients, more than two dozen Olympic coaches. Collectively, the award winners have captured 192 NCAA team titles.
 
On Jan. 29, Howard finishes the regular season at crosstown rival Catholic. Meet time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or CSCAA website at www.cscaa.org.