Our History
2008
SDSA formed in June 2008, establishing the Annual Golf tournament and Dinner Gala.
2009-14
Supported Men's Swimming Operational budget.
2014
Donations reached $1M. Sun Devil Athletics publicly states support for swimming and diving program. Established scholarship endowment accounts for Men’s and Women's swimming and diving, and Women's water polo.
2015
Began Mona Plummer Aquatic Center remodel project and installed 16 new starting blocks, diving and water polo equipment, power towers, and lobby remodel.
2017
Donations reached $2M. Began Phase 2 of Mona Plummer Aquatic Center remodel.
2018-2023
Supported Men's + Women's Swimming + Diving, Water Polo and Triathlon programs with equipment, travel expenses, nutrition, as well as continuing to fundraise for planned Facility Upgrades.
Board of Directors
Simon Percy
Simon originates from New Zealand, swimming at ASU from 1991-94 where he earned All-American honors. He was a member of the New Zealand national team for 7-years, representing his country at the 1992 Olympic games. Simon went on to become an assistant coach at ASU from 2006-2011. Currently, Simon is the Vice President of Malmsten Inc., the owner of Independent Inspector Network Home Inspection and Swim Devil Masters. Happily married to Suzanne with 3 children, Simon is the original founding board member of the SDSA.
Rob Richardson
Rob graduated from ASU in 1984 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and was a PAC-10 finalist in the 100, 200 Fly and the 200 IM, and multiple year Letterman. He retired in 2020 from Honeywell Aerospace after 33 years and currently is a consultant for Masco Services Corporation. In addition, Rob owns residential rental property and a medical services provider company with his wife Paula. He and Paula have 5 children and 6 grandkids. In addition, Rob is President of Pitchfork Aquatics which is a USA Swimming club team based at ASU Mona Plummer Aquatics Center. Rob is a founding board member of the SDSA.
Mikael Orn
Mikael Graduated in 1985 with a BSE in Computer Systems Engineering, and his masters in 1987 in Software Engineering. He recently retired from IBM, and is an Arizona Resident. In 1983, Mikael was named Pac-10 swimmer of the year, won the 200 free at the NCAA Championships, and was a Swedish National Champion. Mikael won an Olympic Bronze Medal for Sweden on the 4x100 free relay in 1984. Happily married to Kit, Mikael has two children who have recently graduated college. Mikael is a founding board member of the SDSA.
Rob Oldach
Rob graduated from ASU in 1986, and currently serves as the Vice President of Colorado Structures, Inc. Rob competed under coach Ron Johnson, earning letters all four years, and represented ASU at two NCAA Championships. Rob and his wife Denise have been happily married for 33 years, and have two children, as well as one grandchild, and is a founding board member of the SDSA.
Emerson Ward
Emerson graduated in 2006 with a BS in Construction Management from the Del. E. Webb School of Construction. Upon graduation, Emerson joined CORE Construction, Inc. were he currently serves as Vice President. He competed for the Sun Devils from 2001-05, starting as a walk-on for Coach Michael Chasson. He finished as a PAC-10 finalist in 100 Breast, and was a 2-time NCAA competitor. He was Team Captain in 2005 and set a school record in the 100 Breast. Emerson is happily married to Kari and has four (future Sun Devil) children, Kari competed for ASU Gymnastics from 2001-05 and also served as Assistant Coach for the Gym Devils from 2009-2013. Emerson is a founding board member of the SDSA.
AJ Blusiewicz
AJ graduated in 2005 with a BS Agricultural Business with an emphasis in Golf Facility Management. He is a seasoned professional in the retail distribution industry. AJ competed for the Sun Devils from 2001 – 2005, under coach Michael Chasson. He was a PAC-10 Consolation finalist in 100 and 200 Backstroke. AJ is a founding board member of the SDSA.
Dorra Tang
Dorra graduated in 1998 with a BS in Zoology from the School of Life Sciences. She is Director of Client Solutions at Exeter Financial LLC in Scottsdale, AZ since 2007. She competed for the Sun Devils from 1993-97, starting as a walk-on and stayed on deck as a student-assistant coach in 1998. She finished as a PAC-10 finalist in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Back & 200 Back as well as a finalist at Senior Nationals. She was Team Captain in 1997 and set a school record as part of a 4X50 Free Relay. She also was a Maroon & Gold Scholar Athlete maintaining a GPA above 3.0. Dorra's 2 children, Tyler & Jasmine, are 3rd generation Sun Devils.
Doug King
A former walk-on and local product out of Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona, Doug was an ASU record holder in the 100 Back/200 & 400 IM Relays and 2x All-American under Coach Ron Johnson (1988-93). U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier and ranked as high as 18th in the world in the 100-meter backstroke. Graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, Doug is now a Regional Director for Matrix Resources, an IT Services firm in Tempe. He married a Sun Devil (Rebecca) and has three children, one of whom currently swims for ASU on the men’s team.
Todd Merrill
Todd graduated in 1992 with a BS in Organizational Communications from the ASU New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. He is Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Barrett-Jackson Auction Company in Scottsdale, AZ. His Sun Devils roots run strong as he has been a former ASU Athletics Account Rep aligning marketing partnerships for over two decades. He competed for the Sun Devils Men’s Swim Team from 1986-1989. He finished as a PAC-10 finalist in the 100 Back, 100 & 200 Fly as well as the 400 IM. He also was a Maroon & Gold Scholar Athlete maintaining a GPA above 3.0. Todd is married to Debbie and is the proud father of 2 girls, Cat & Ava.
Grant House
Grant graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Wellness in 2022 with a Master of Law in Sports Law & Business in 2023. He is co-Founder of Swim Bros Podcast. Grant was the Pac-12 Champion in the 200 free (2023), 400 medley relay & 800 free relay bringing the Sun Devil men their 1st conference title in program history. NCAA finalist 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023. CoSIDA Academic All-American 1st Team 2022. CSCAA Scholar All-American 1st team 2022, 2023. NCAA Scholar All-American 2018, 2019, 2022.
Past Board Members
Cam Reid - Past (Founding) Board Member (84' Alumnus)
Penelope Yamauchi - Past Board Member (12' Alumnus)
Robyn Matthews - Past Board Member (13' Alumnus)