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."

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

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.

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.

• Full Results

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.

• Full Results
• Watch the Action Live!

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

1. RANDY ABLEMAN (University of Miami, FL) -- Coach of the Winner Brittany Viola
2. RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Margaret Hostage
3. ADAM SOLDATI (Purdue University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kara Cook
4. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kristen Asman
5. RICK SCHAVONE (Stanford University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Shana Karp
6. JANE FIGUREIDO (University of Houston) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Lacey Truelove
7. JIM STILLSON (Southern Methodist University -- Coach of 7th place finisher Audra Egenolf
8. DONNIE CRAINE (University of Florida) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Monica Dodson

Women's 3-Meter Diving -- Friday March 21, 2008

1. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of the Winner Chelsea Davis
2. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Bianca Alvarez
3. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Kathryn Kelly
4. DAN LAAK (University of Georgia) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Hannah Moore
5. JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Brittany Feldman
6. MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Emma Friesen
7. JOHN AMES (Georgia Tech) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Hannah Krimm
8. TODD SHERRITT (University of South Carolina) -- Coach of 8th place finisher Taryn Zack

Women's 1-Meter Diving--Thursday March 20, 2008

1. MIKE BROWN (University of Hawaii) -- Coach of the Winner Emma Friesen
2. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 2nd place finisher Mary Yarrison
3. JEFF HUBER (Indiana University) -- Coach of 3rd place finisher Brittany Feldman
4. MATT SCOGGIN (University of Texas) -- Coach of 4th place finisher Kathryn Kelly
5. VINCE PANZANO (Ohio State University) -- Coach of 5th place finisher Bianca Alverez
6. MIKE LYDEN (University of Kentucky) -- Coach of 6th place finisher Kari Retrum
7. RANDY ABLEMAN (Miami University) -- Coach of 7th place finisher Brittany Viola
8. 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.

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.

• Mike Lyden Bio - Click Here