Sébastien Wenger

Co-Founder, Chief Marketing Officer & Consultant

Competition has always driven me, whether in the pool or in the sports and entertainment industry. Having swum for a top-20 NCAA Division I school in the Power Four conference on an academic scholarship, I gained invaluable insight into the demands of elite athletics. My journey continued when I successfully navigated the transfer portal, ultimately joining one of the top NCAA Division III programs. This experience of balancing high-level performance with the realities of the transfer process has given me a unique perspective on the challenges athletes face in today’s rapidly changing landscape.

Now, as the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Lane Line Recruiting LLC, I’m passionate about helping athletes find the right collegiate fit, whether through recruiting, transfers, or understanding NIL opportunities. My personal experiences with recruitment and transfer have shaped my commitment to guiding athletes through these crucial decisions, ensuring they make informed choices that align with both their athletic and academic goals.

 A Lifetime of Competition

Growing up in San Diego, California, I embraced a multi-sport lifestyle that shaped my competitive mindset. Like many American kids, my athletic journey began on the soccer pitch, but I quickly followed my older brother into competitive swimming by the age of five. I also developed a passion for youth football, where I played skilled positions for eight seasons before transitioning to rugby sevens as a scrum half, winning both the SoCal Championship and the California State Games with our San Diego Mustangs team.

Along the way, I played attack in lacrosse, dabbled in ice hockey, and trained as a cyclist, winning two California Junior State Championships and competing at the USA Cycling Amateur Road Nationals in 2019. These experiences eventually led to triathlon competitions, and every winter, our family took to the slopes for alpine skiing. But through it all, I knew swimming was my future. Setting multiple San Diego age-group and high school records, as well as competing at the Speedo Winter Junior Championships, solidified my belief that I was capable of competing at the collegiate level.

The University of Alabama & Competing in the SEC

I was fortunate to begin my collegiate swimming career at the University of Alabama, competing for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most dominant conferences in NCAA athletics. Alabama was the perfect fit, combining elite-level swimming with a top-tier business program that aligned with my long-term career aspirations in sports business, athlete marketing, and talent representation.

At Alabama, I had the opportunity to train alongside some of the best athletes in the world, push myself in one of the most competitive environments in collegiate swimming, and grow both as an athlete and as a professional. I also gained a firsthand understanding of the business of college sports: the recruiting process, NIL opportunities, and the constant evolution of NCAA athletics.

However, like many student-athletes across the country, I was impacted by the House v. NCAA settlement, which led to mandated roster reductions. When I first committed, I expected to spend my entire college career competing for Bama, but the reality of modern college athletics forced me to pivot. While it was difficult to leave a school and team I loved, I also recognized that NCAA athletics is a business. The transfer process forced me to step back, evaluate my options, and make a strategic decision about where I could continue competing while advancing my academic and career goals.

Finding the Right Fit at New York University

Determined to continue competing at the highest level, I transferred to New York University (NYU), where I joined the NYU Violets Men’s Swimming and Diving Team after their best-ever 4th place finish at the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships. The team’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement is motivating, and I look forward to contributing to the team’s rise as we aim for the top of the podium in the years to come.

Perhaps even more important than seeking a new opportunity to compete with a team at the top of its conference was finding a university program that aligned with my academic and career pursuits. NYU’s Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport offers the perfect combination of rigorous academics, industry access, and a professional network that directly supports my long-term goals in sports marketing and athlete representation. This program provides the ideal environment for me to grow both as a student-athlete and a professional. At Lane Line Recruiting, we help athletes find the best fit, ensuring they thrive academically and athletically at a program that aligns with their goals.

Lane Line Recruiting: Helping Athletes Find the Right Fit

My journey, from navigating NCAA recruiting as a high school athlete to competing in the SEC at Alabama and experiencing the transfer portal firsthand, has given me unique insight into the challenges athletes face at every stage of their careers.

This perspective drives my work at Lane Line Recruiting, where we help swimmers navigate the evolving NCAA landscape. Whether it’s college recruiting, transfer decisions, or understanding NIL opportunities, my goal is to help athletes make informed choices that align with their long-term athletic, academic, and career goals.

Follow me on the Alabama Crimson Tide Men’s Swim & Dive website. Roll Tide!

Swimming Accolades

  • USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.

  • Speedo Winter Junior National Championship Finalist.

  • Speedo Futures Championship Medalist.

  • University of Alabama Crimson Tide Men’s Swimming & Diving team.

  • New York University Violets Men’s Swimming & Diving Team

Professional Experience

  • Premier Athlete Agency LLC, Sports Agent & Marketing Intern

  • Swim Instructor & Red Cross certified Lifeguard

  • Event Staff Volunteer, San Diego Legion Rugby, Major League Rugby

Professional Organizations

  • North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM)

  • Sport Marketing Association (SMA)

Education

  • B.Sc. Sport Management, New York University’s Tisch Institute for Global Sport, School of Professional Studies, Expected 2028

  • University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business, August 2024 to August 2025