The United States Professional Diving Coaches Association (U.S. PDCA) is a non-profit incorporated organization founded by Ron O’ Brien, Steve McFarland, Vince Panzano and Scott Pyle in January of 1983. Its purpose is to support diving coaches in their efforts to hone their coaching skills, develop world class athletes and grow the sport. In the early 2000’s the organization drifted into obscurity. Now it has reemerged under new leadership, new ideas, and new technology to reaffirm its support of diving coaches across the country.
Mission
The core mission of PDCA is to grow and advance the sport of diving by supporting, empowering, and advocating for the professional diving coach.
Vision
Our vision is to create a thriving and sustainable future for the sport of diving by building a strong, united network of professional diving coaches. We envision an industry where coaches at all levels have access to world-class education, mentorship, advocacy, and resources, allowing them to develop elite athletes, grow successful programs, and elevate the sport as a whole. Through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering support, PDCA aims to be the leading organization that ensures the long-term success and recognition of diving coaches worldwide.
Strategy
To fulfill our mission and vision, PDCA is committed to the following key goals:
1. Coach Development & Education
- Establish a comprehensive coaching education system that provides training, certifications, and professional development opportunities.
- Expand access to mentorship programs for coaches at all levels to foster career growth and knowledge-sharing.
- Develop a resource hub with instructional materials, video content, and best practices for coaching, business management, and leadership.
2. Advocacy & Program Sustainability
- Actively advocate for diving programs at the NCAA, high school, and club levels to prevent program cuts and ensure long-term sustainability.
- Work with governing bodies (NCAA, USA Diving, AAU, High School Federations) to protect and support the role of diving coaches.
- Establish a legal and insurance support system to help coaches navigate SafeSport, Title IX, liability concerns, and contract negotiations.
3. Membership Growth & Engagement
- Grow PDCA membership to 5,000+ members within the next ten years by demonstrating value and increasing outreach.
- Develop tiered membership options that cater to high school, club, NCAA, and elite-level coaches.
- Provide ongoing networking opportunities, including in-person and virtual symposiums, regional workshops, and coaching socials.
4. Marketing & Visibility
- Strengthen PDCA’s brand awareness through a strategic social media campaign showcasing the impact of diving coaches.
- Launch a Save College Diving (#ANDdiving) campaign to increase public awareness and support for collegiate diving.
- Engage Olympians, NCAA champions, and industry leaders to provide testimonials on the importance of diving and coaching.
5. Business & Program Support for Coaches
- Create resources to help coaches run successful diving programs, including business management, fundraising, and sponsorship acquisition.
- Offer guidance on running camps, clinics, and competitions to enhance program profitability and growth.
- Develop partnerships with equipment suppliers, facility managers, and service providers to offer discounts and resources for diving programs.
6. Organizational Sustainability & Expansion
- Secure ongoing grants, sponsorships, and partnerships to fund PDCA initiatives.
- Implement a premium membership model to support legal services, advocacy, and professional development resources.
- Continue to refine PDCA’s governance structure, board roles, and coordinator positions to enhance operational efficiency.
Leadership
President
Dr. Chelsea Ale
Vice President – Membership
Aaron Hintz
Vice President – Education
Dr. Tom Quinn
Vice President – Events
Courtney Gills
Treasurer
Steve Voellmecke
Secretary
Josh Larcom
Why do diving coaches need a professional organization?
Diving Coaches in the United States have seen many changes in the administration of their sport. Some of these changes have dramatically enhanced the sport and some have taken the sport to the brink of extinction. The PDCA is an organization that creates stability by instilling professional standards and a code of ethics to protect coaches and the sport. The PDCA fills the need for a standardized educational and training process similar to most professions that deal with education, sport or business. The PDCA provides a platform (pun intended) for coaches to unify their voices for positive change. It also protects the livelihoods of the coaches from unfair business practices or competition structure failures.