Now that the all six of the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships have ended, it is time to recognize the Top Diving Coaches in NCAA Division I, II and III. The following coaches have been named 2010 NCAA Diving Coach of the Year as presented by the College Swim Coaches Association of America:
Division I Women: JANE FIGUEIREDO (University of Houston)
Division I Men: ADAM SOLDATI (Purdue University)
Divison II Women: DAVE HROVAT (Clarion University)
Division II Men: DAVE HROVAT (Clarion University)
Division III Women: STAN RANDALL (Trinity University)
Divison III Men: JOHN MOORE (S.U.N.Y. Oswego)
Best Wishes to these and all diving coaches for a safe and successful 2010 and beyond! Keep up the GREAT work you are doing!
Showing posts with label NCAA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCAA. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
DIVING Does It Again!
Once again, the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship Team Title was greatly influenced by DIVING. This time, the Texas Longhorns Men's Team -- on the strength of the very fine showing of their divers -- was able to hold-off 2nd place team Univ. of California (500 points for UT versus 469.5 points for Cal -- a difference of 30.5 team points) in the final team standings at the 2010 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
The Texas Diving duo of Drew Livingston and Matthew Cooper combined to score 54 team points with their 3rd, 9th, 16th, 3rd and 7th place finishes); 2nd Place team University of California scored ZERO team points in diving; 3rd place team Univ. of Arizona scored 13 team points in diving; 4th place Stanford University scored ZERO team points in diving and 5th place team Univ. of Florida scored ZERO team points in diving.
In mathematics, a person needs to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide -- it is difficult to be successful in math (or life) by only being able to do three of these four disciplines. Similarly, well rounded swim teams need to have sprinters, distance swimmers, backstrokers, flyers, breaststrokers AND DIVERS. It is difficult to be the overall best team if your team is weak or lacking in one or more of these disciplines. And, since diving accounts for 3 of the 21 events (14%) that are contested at the NCAA Championships -- it behooves every program to make sure that their diving teams have all the resources necessary to recruit and then train the best divers available to be the very best they can -- it can only help the swimming and diving team as a whole.
(Just ask the Florida women)
The Texas Diving duo of Drew Livingston and Matthew Cooper combined to score 54 team points with their 3rd, 9th, 16th, 3rd and 7th place finishes); 2nd Place team University of California scored ZERO team points in diving; 3rd place team Univ. of Arizona scored 13 team points in diving; 4th place Stanford University scored ZERO team points in diving and 5th place team Univ. of Florida scored ZERO team points in diving.
In mathematics, a person needs to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide -- it is difficult to be successful in math (or life) by only being able to do three of these four disciplines. Similarly, well rounded swim teams need to have sprinters, distance swimmers, backstrokers, flyers, breaststrokers AND DIVERS. It is difficult to be the overall best team if your team is weak or lacking in one or more of these disciplines. And, since diving accounts for 3 of the 21 events (14%) that are contested at the NCAA Championships -- it behooves every program to make sure that their diving teams have all the resources necessary to recruit and then train the best divers available to be the very best they can -- it can only help the swimming and diving team as a whole.
(Just ask the Florida women)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Attention All Swim Coaches!
Are you one of those swim coaches who thinks diving is a waste of time? That diving is the "ugly red-headed step-sister" that cuts into your pool time; takes money from your budget; makes meets run slower and adds more paperwork to your already busy life?
Well better think again -- especially after seeing the results of the Women's Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. The University of Florida won the venerable team title by a scant 2.5 points over 2nd place Stanford and it would not have been possible had it not been for the very strong showing of the Florida divers. In fact, the University of Florida DIVING Team accounted for 40 of the 382 team points scored by the Gators. The other top 5 teams scored ZERO diving points in the meet. Without the points earned by the divers, the Florida Gators would have finished in 5th place as a team. See below:
NCAA Division I TOP 5 TEAM SCORES (WITH Diving Points)
University of Florida -- 382 Team Points (40 points from diving)
Stanford University -- 379.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of California -- 363.00 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of Arizona -- 359.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of Georgia -- 342.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
NCAA Division I TOP 5 TEAM SCORES (WITHOUT Diving Points)
Stanford University -- 379.5 Team Points
Univ. of California -- 363 Team Points
Univ. of Arizona -- 359.5 Team Points
Univ. of Georgia -- 342.5 Team Points
University of Florida -- 342 Team Points
The moral to the story is to never underestimate the importance of having a diving team!
Well better think again -- especially after seeing the results of the Women's Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. The University of Florida won the venerable team title by a scant 2.5 points over 2nd place Stanford and it would not have been possible had it not been for the very strong showing of the Florida divers. In fact, the University of Florida DIVING Team accounted for 40 of the 382 team points scored by the Gators. The other top 5 teams scored ZERO diving points in the meet. Without the points earned by the divers, the Florida Gators would have finished in 5th place as a team. See below:
NCAA Division I TOP 5 TEAM SCORES (WITH Diving Points)
University of Florida -- 382 Team Points (40 points from diving)
Stanford University -- 379.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of California -- 363.00 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of Arizona -- 359.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
Univ. of Georgia -- 342.5 Team Points (0 points from diving)
NCAA Division I TOP 5 TEAM SCORES (WITHOUT Diving Points)
Stanford University -- 379.5 Team Points
Univ. of California -- 363 Team Points
Univ. of Arizona -- 359.5 Team Points
Univ. of Georgia -- 342.5 Team Points
University of Florida -- 342 Team Points
The moral to the story is to never underestimate the importance of having a diving team!
Monday, September 28, 2009
U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY DIVING WELL
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD just completed a large renovation to their diving well that included re-habbing the platforms and building a new 3M Springboard pedestal and installing all new Duraflex Equipment.
Rumor has it that long-time diving coach Joe Suriano has a smile from ear to ear!! Looks like it was well worth the wait!! CONGRATULATIONS, JOE!!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
WHAT TO DO WITH OLD DIVING T-SHIRTS
Have a "T-Shirt Quilt" made!!
This is the second quilt that I have had made using my old diving T-shirts as well as many collegiate diving T-shirts and Sweatshirts I have collected over the years. Most of these were gifts from college diving coaches around the country. (Click on the image above to make it larger)
My favorite T-shirt in this quilt, however, is the center one -- taken from the back of the old Moss Farms Diving Team T-shirts. It was given to me in 1994 by Robert "Moose" Moss and it has the emblem of the Flying Tigers in the center surrounded by the (reproduced) signatures of all (at the time) living former Flying Tigers. These legendary WWII Veterans were highly decorated for their daring and courageous exploits during the war with Japan in the Pacific. Their picture hangs in the Smithsonian Institute among many other places. Moose was granted permission by the Flying Tigers to use their emblem as the emblem for the Moss Farms Diving Team.
Moose Moss's signature is in the upper right hand corner of the T-shirt.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
DIVING "INSURANCE"
When the words "diving" and "insurance" are used in the same sentence, people think "uh oh -- big expense; hard to get; difficult to afford; etc.) But, I am not talking about this type of insurance -- rather I am talking about having "Dive Insurance."
"Dive Insurance" is making sure that you have a back-up dive or dives that you can substitute into your list at the last minute should one of your regular dives (for whatever reason) not be usable. Divers of course should practice their "list" of dives -- but they should also practice their "insurance dives". This is applicable to all levels of diving. Here are a few examples:
SUMMER LEAGUE DIVING:
Little Johnny learns an inward dive (401C) and it is really good. You are going to replace his 5111A (front dive with 1/2 twist) because he sometimes does not complete the twist all the way or his form is not good when he does the dive. However, during warm-ups for the meet, little Johnny starts getting too close to the board on his inward and gets scared. Johnny, (his mom) and you do not want to use that dive today. The insurance dive is his "questionable" 5111A -- might not be pretty, but at least it is safe.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVING:
Your diver learns a 105C (front 2 1/2 somersaults in tuck position) but goes to a meet at another high school where the diving board is not as good as the board on which your diver trains and they are having difficulty making the 105C on the "bad board." In this instance -- your insurance dive would be a 104C (front double somersault in tuck position) or 103B (front 1 1/2 somersaults in pike position).
COLLEGE DIVING:
Your diver learns a 5235D on 3M (Back 1 1/2 with 2 1/2 twists) and this will replace their 5134D (front 1 1/2 somersaults with 2 twists). During warm-ups the day before the meet, your diver starts "getting lost" on his 5235D. If you had your diver continue to practice the 5134D even after they learned the 5235D -- you could simply substitute the 5134D back into the list and not miss a beat.
As with any insurance -- you hope you never need it, but you gotta have it!
"Dive Insurance" is making sure that you have a back-up dive or dives that you can substitute into your list at the last minute should one of your regular dives (for whatever reason) not be usable. Divers of course should practice their "list" of dives -- but they should also practice their "insurance dives". This is applicable to all levels of diving. Here are a few examples:
SUMMER LEAGUE DIVING:
Little Johnny learns an inward dive (401C) and it is really good. You are going to replace his 5111A (front dive with 1/2 twist) because he sometimes does not complete the twist all the way or his form is not good when he does the dive. However, during warm-ups for the meet, little Johnny starts getting too close to the board on his inward and gets scared. Johnny, (his mom) and you do not want to use that dive today. The insurance dive is his "questionable" 5111A -- might not be pretty, but at least it is safe.
HIGH SCHOOL DIVING:
Your diver learns a 105C (front 2 1/2 somersaults in tuck position) but goes to a meet at another high school where the diving board is not as good as the board on which your diver trains and they are having difficulty making the 105C on the "bad board." In this instance -- your insurance dive would be a 104C (front double somersault in tuck position) or 103B (front 1 1/2 somersaults in pike position).
COLLEGE DIVING:
Your diver learns a 5235D on 3M (Back 1 1/2 with 2 1/2 twists) and this will replace their 5134D (front 1 1/2 somersaults with 2 twists). During warm-ups the day before the meet, your diver starts "getting lost" on his 5235D. If you had your diver continue to practice the 5134D even after they learned the 5235D -- you could simply substitute the 5134D back into the list and not miss a beat.
As with any insurance -- you hope you never need it, but you gotta have it!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
You Just Never Know Who You Might Meet On A Pool Deck!
The above photo was taken recently at Texas A&M University where I was judging the diving at the NCAA Championships. Former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush were in attendance for a short while to watch a couple of events and present a few awards.
As the former President and First Lady were leaving, I happened to be standing in the right place at the right time. A former diver of mine (now a professional sport photographer) just happened to be there as well with his camera and as they say, the rest is history.
As the former President and First Lady were leaving, I happened to be standing in the right place at the right time. A former diver of mine (now a professional sport photographer) just happened to be there as well with his camera and as they say, the rest is history.
Make sure you always have a camera with you when you go to a diving meet -- or at least know the professional photographer shooting the events -- you just never know who you might meet!
Photo courtesy of Walt Middleton (Walt Middleton Sports Photography)
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reflections on Coach Lyden
While attending the funeral for University of Kentucky Diving Coach MIKE LYDEN, I was impressed (but not surprised) by the large outpouring of support from his friends and neighbors, the UK Athletic Department and of course from the diving coaches around the country. However, I was most impressed at seeing many if not most of Mike's current and former divers.
I believe the true measure of success for a coach in any sport is the positive impact he or she has on their athletes long after they have competed for the last time. Mike was more than a great diving coach -- he was tough, driven and very demanding both inside and outside of the pool. He required his divers to do well academically and to be in top physical condition. He instilled in them discipline, attention to detail, a work ethic and most importantly, he taught them to be winners. This was quite evident as I looked around the room and saw table after table of physically fit, well-groomed, well-dressed productive members of society who have carried with them the lessons learned while diving for "Iron Mike."
I believe the true measure of success for a coach in any sport is the positive impact he or she has on their athletes long after they have competed for the last time. Mike was more than a great diving coach -- he was tough, driven and very demanding both inside and outside of the pool. He required his divers to do well academically and to be in top physical condition. He instilled in them discipline, attention to detail, a work ethic and most importantly, he taught them to be winners. This was quite evident as I looked around the room and saw table after table of physically fit, well-groomed, well-dressed productive members of society who have carried with them the lessons learned while diving for "Iron Mike."
Monday, April 14, 2008
Iron Mike Memorial Fund
As most of you know, MIKE LYDEN -- one of the finest diving coaches in the United States lost his battle with cancer on Friday April 11, 2008. A memorial fund has been set up by Wildcat Aquatics, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and 100% of all donations will directly benefit Mike's wife Emily and his three children Jessica, Jack and Brittany.
We have a chance to double our donations to honor the memory of our friend and colleague. A generous donor has offered to match funds up to $10,000.00 submitted by the diving community. In order to have your donation matched, please send your check made payable to "Wildcats Aquatics - Iron Mike Memorial" and send to Springboards and More. They will coordinate the gift with the matching donor.
Make checks payable to "Wildcats Aquatics - Iron Mike Memorial"
Mail to
"Iron Mike" Foundation
c/o Springboards and More
P.O. Box 268
Milford, OH 45150
USA
We have a chance to double our donations to honor the memory of our friend and colleague. A generous donor has offered to match funds up to $10,000.00 submitted by the diving community. In order to have your donation matched, please send your check made payable to "Wildcats Aquatics - Iron Mike Memorial" and send to Springboards and More. They will coordinate the gift with the matching donor.
Make checks payable to "Wildcats Aquatics - Iron Mike Memorial"
Mail to
"Iron Mike" Foundation
c/o Springboards and More
P.O. Box 268
Milford, OH 45150
USA
Monday, March 31, 2008
PANZANO, LAAK NAMED NCAA DIVING COACHES OF THE YEAR
VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) and DAN LAAK (University of Georgia) were named NCAA Diving Coaches of the Year for 2008. Panzano was named Women's Diving Coach of the Year and Laak was named Men's Diving Coach of the Year.
Panzano had a spectacular Women's Championships that was highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the 3-meter contest. Laak was honored for the accomplishments of his diver Chris Colwill who finished 1st, 2nd and 2nd in the three diving events contested.
The award is determined by a vote of all diving coaches at the NCAA Championships.
Panzano had a spectacular Women's Championships that was highlighted by a 1-2 finish in the 3-meter contest. Laak was honored for the accomplishments of his diver Chris Colwill who finished 1st, 2nd and 2nd in the three diving events contested.
The award is determined by a vote of all diving coaches at the NCAA Championships.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
TOP DIVING COACHES IN NCAA!
Congratulations to the following COACHES for their success at the Men's NCAA Division I Diving Championships. Randy ABLEMAN – Miami (Reuben Ross – 6th 1-meter, 1st 3-meter, 4th Platform, JJ Kinzbach - 8th Platform); Mark BRADSHAW - Arizona State (Mickey Benedetti – 7th 1-meter); Mike BROWN – Hawaii (Magnus Frick - 2nd 1-meter, 6th 3-meter); Pat GREENWELL - Alabama (Aaron Fleshner - 3rd 3-meter); Jeff HUBER – Indiana (Landon Marzullo – 4th 1-meter; Taylor Roberts - 4th 3-meter); Patrick JEFFREY - Florida State (Terry Horner – 3rd 1-meter); Julian KRUG – Pittsburgh (Alex Volovetski – 8th 1-meter); Dan LAAK – Georgia (Chris Colwill - 1st 1-meter, 2nd 3-meter, 2nd Platform); Mike LYDEN – Kentucky (Stephen Andrews – 5th 1-meter); Vince PANZANO - Ohio State (Sean Moore - 1st Platform, Weston Wieser - 7th Platform); Matt SCOGGIN - Texas (Jonathan Wilcox - 7th 3-meter, Matthew Cooper - 6th Platform); Jeff SHAFFER - Auburn (Kelly Marx -5th 3-meter, Daniel Mazzafero - 8th 3-meter, 5th Platform); Adam SOLDATI - Purdue (David Colturi - 3rd Platform). The top eight finishers at the NCAA Championships earn All-American honors.
Dan LAAK of Georgia was named the 2008 NCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year, and his diver Chris Colwill was named 2008 NCAA Men's Diver of the Year.
Springboards and More congratulates the DIVING COACHES for all their hard work, dedication and long hours at the pool that went into these performances.
Ross Wins Three-meter, Colwill Second
Reuben Ross of Miami upset Chris Colwill of Georgia to win the NCAA Men's Three-meter Diving Title. Ross held a slight lead after the fourth dive and then put the pressure on Colwill with an inward 3 1/2 that received five 9's. Colwill responded, but fell short on his final dive by six points. It was the first NCAA title for Ross who is a sophomore from Saskatchewan, Canada.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Colwill Wins One-meter!
Congratulations to Chris Colwill of Georgia and coach Dan Laak for his victory on one-meter at the NCAA championships in Seattle. Colwill needed a strong final dive to hold off Magnus Frick of Hawaii. He received 8's on a reverse 2 1/2 pike (that's right, a 305b on one-meter), scored 76.80 points and won the contest by 7.55 points. Three-meter prelims begin today at 2:00 p.m. PST. You can watch the contest via the internet at NCAA.com.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Top NCAA Diving Coaches
Congratulations to the following COACHES for the performance of their diver(s) in the Finals at the Women's NCAA Division I Diving Championships taking place at The Ohio State University:
Women's Platform Diving -- Saturday March 22, 2008
Women's Platform Diving -- Saturday March 22, 2008
- RANDY ABLEMAN (University of Miami, FL) -- Coach of the Winner Brittany Viola
- RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Margaret Hostage
- ADAM SOLDATI (Purdue University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kara Cook
- VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kristen Asman
- RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Shana Karp
- JANE FIGUREIDO (University of Houston) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Lacey Truelove
- JIM STILLSON (Southern Methodist University -- Coach of 7th place finisher Audra Egenolf
- DONNIE CRAINE (University of Florida) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Monica Dodson
Women's 3-Meter Diving -- Friday March 21, 2008
- VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of the Winner Chelsea Davis
- VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Bianca Alvarez
- MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kathryn Kelly
- DAN LAAK (University of Georgia) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Hannah Moore
- JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Brittany Feldman
- MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Emma Friesen
- JOHN AMES (Georgia Tech) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Hannah Krimm
- TODD SHERRITT (University of South Carolina) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Taryn Zack
- MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of the Winner Emma Friesen
- MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Mary Yarrison
- JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Brittany Feldman
- MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kathryn Kelly
- VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Bianca Alverez
- MIKE LYDEN (University of Kentucky) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Kari Retrum
- RANDY ABLEMAN (Miami University) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Brittany Viola
- VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Chelsea Davis
The Top EIGHT finishers at the NCAA Championships earn First Team All-American Honors.
Springboards and More congratulates the DIVING COACHES for all their hard work, dedication and long hours at the pool that went into these performances.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
MIKE LYDEN Named 2008 WHOSAM Award Winner
University of Kentucky Diving Coach MIKE LYDEN has been named the recipient of the 2008 WHOSAM Award given annually by Double Olympic Diving Gold Medallist Dr. Sammy Lee. The award is presented to one diving coach each year "For commitment to excellence and dedication to the highest physical, mental and spiritual ideals." Mike was named NCAA Diving Coach of the Year in 1996 and has produced nearly 50 NCAA All-Americans. He has earned SEC Diving Coach of Year NINE times and produced 13 SEC Champions. In addition, Mike is regarded by many as one of the top Junior Olympic Diving Coaches in the country having produced numerous JO National Champions.
"Iron Mike" is currently battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer but felt well enough to go out and get a steak at his favorite steakhouse -- Malone's in Lexington, KY. Former WHOSAM Award winners Joe Chirico and Steve Voellmecke along with legendary diving coach Stan Randall made the trip to Lexington, KY to present the WHOSAM Award to Mike and his Family. Mike was also honored at Malone's Steakhouse that evening by being added to their UK Athletic Wall of Fame.
Mike, his wife Emily and their three children Jessica, Jack and Brittany are very grateful for the outpouring of support and offers for help they have been receiving from the diving community. They ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as they continue this battle.
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