Panzano’s Decision Still Paying Off for Him, Ohio State – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swim & Dive
During his senior year at Upper Merion High School in King of Prussia, Pa., Vince Panzano was faced with the tough decision of choosing which college he would attend. Indiana, Michigan and Ohio State were the three schools among consideration.
Panzano was having a tough time reaching a decision. All three schools had an excellent swimming and diving program to offer.
Like any high school athlete, Panzano turned to his coach for advice. His coach was Russ Harlan, a former Ohio State diver who suggested he go to Ohio State without hesitation. Russ Harlan’s brother, Bruce, also was a diver at Ohio State and was a gold medallist at the 1948 Olympics.
Panzano looked up to his mentor, wanting to be just like Harlan someday. So naturally, he took his coach’s advice.
“Russ told me, ‘Vince, go to Ohio State. You’ll never regret it,'” Panzano said. “And here I am 30 years later and I certainly have no regrets. That was the moment that determined the course I would take in terms of college, athletics and coaching.
“My primary reason for coming to Ohio State and being involved in the diving program was to someday get into coaching. I knew I didn’t have Olympic talent but I really wanted to be a coach. I knew this would be a great place to learn and be an understudy to (former Ohio State diving coach from 1964-78) Ron O’Brien.”
Panzano, a three-year letter winner from 1970-72, received his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in physical education in 1973. Shortly after, Panzano accepted a coaching offer at the University of Tennessee, where he coached for five years before returning to his alma mater in 1978. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine becoming a three-time U.S. Olympic coach, heading the teams in 1984, 1988 and 1996.
He is now one of the most respected diving coaches in the world.
This fall Panzano will enter his 25th season at Ohio State and his 30th overall. He has the second- longest tenure of any present coach at Ohio State (Jim Brown, men’s golf coach, will be entering his 30th season with Ohio State). Throughout his career he has twice received the “Mike Peppe Award” as U.S. Diving’s outstanding coach in 1989 and 1990. He also coached the 1987 Pan American Team, the FINA World Cup Team in 1985, 1989 and 1991 and the World Championship team in 1994. Panzano and Ohio State were represented by divers on the last five Olympic teams (1984, ’88, ’92, ’96 and 2000).
Panzano also has been selected NCAA Diving Coach of the Year three times and Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year seven times, including most recently in 2002. In 1996, he was inducted into The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
“To end up at my alma mater and be inducted into the hall of fame, those were things I never even dreamed about,” Panzano said.
“This was one of the premier diving schools in the country when I arrived in ’78. Ohio State is a very attractive school to come and get an education and participate in athletics. I feel very fortunate to have been able to come back to Ohio State and coach here.”
Peppe and O’Brien, former OSU swimming and diving coaches, developed the strong diving tradition at Ohio State. The program has not missed a beat since Panzano’s arrival. Panzano accredits Peppe, O’Brien and his divers for his accomplishments. He believes the success of any coach is a direct result of the talent and character of the athletes in that program.
“Just like in any other sport, a coach’s success is a reflection of the quality of student-athletes in your program,” Panzano said. “The success that I’ve had as a coach is directly attributable to the kids who have been at Ohio State in our diving program. Without their talent, hard work and determination none of our success is possible.”
Senior All-American diver Natalia Diea is an example of that hard work and determination. Diea transferred to Ohio State form The University of Texas in 1999 to be a part of Panzano’s Buckeye diving program.
Panzano is much more than a coach to Diea. He is someone she can turn to for advice not only in the pool, but also in life.
“He is awesome,” Diea said. “I transferred here only because of him. Words can’t describe what he means to me as a coach and a friend. He has a great relationship with everyone.”
On top of reaching All-America status in 2001, Panzano helped Diea capture third place this summer at the 2002 National Diving Championships in Dallas, Texas.
“He’s very inspirational and he pushes you to reach your maximum potential,” Diea said.
The swimming and diving program will enter a new era in 2004. That is when the new aquatic center is expected to be completed. Groundbreaking is scheduled to begin this fall and should be completed during the fall of 2004.
“We’re very excited about it,” Panzano said. “The new aquatic center will only help attract more athletes to join our program.”
Panzano’s family has a strong Ohio State background as well. Not only did his wife of 28 years, Dr. Phyllis Panzano, receive her Ph.D. from Ohio State, both their sons, Vincent and Brian, were born at The Ohio State University Hospital overlooking the south end of Ohio Stadium.
Vincent, 20, is a junior at Yale and a member of the wrestling team. Brian, 12, is a seventh grader on the football team at Columbus Academy.
