The US Professional Diving Coaches Association mourns the passing of Coach Dick Kimball, one of the most influential figures in the history of our sport.
A champion athlete, visionary coach, and true pioneer, Dick helped shape modern diving through decades of innovation, leadership, and excellence. His impact reached far beyond titles and medals. As a coach at Michigan, he shaped the trajectory of their program to what it is today. He inspired generations of athletes and coaches to think bigger, dream bigger, and raise the standard of what was possible.
The US Professional Diving Coaches Association is proud to carry forward his legacy through the Dick Kimball Award, which honors the creativity, mentorship, and innovation he embodied throughout his life.

As we move forward together, I wanted to take a moment to reflect openly and thoughtfully on the past year. This message is meant to serve as a State of the U.S. PDCA, but also as a thank you and a transparent look at where we have been, what we have accomplished, and where we are going.

When I stepped into the role of President, my primary goal was not to overhaul everything overnight, but to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to an organization that matters deeply to our sport. Over the past year, PDCA has shifted in meaningful ways, both behind the scenes and publicly, and that progress is the result of intentional work and the collective effort of many people who care deeply about diving.

One of the first priorities was stabilizing and professionalizing how PDCA operates. We moved toward clearer governance, more consistent communication, defined officer and committee roles, and regular meetings with purpose and follow-through. These may seem like internal details, but they are foundational. A strong organization starts with clear leadership structures and accountability, and that has been a major focus this year.