Swimming & Diving Mourns Loss of Legendary Diving Coach Ron O'Brien
11/22/2024 8:59:00 AM | Men's Swim & Dive
COLUMBUS, Ohio –The Ohio State swimming and diving programs mourn the loss of former diving coach Ron O'Brien, who passed away earlier this week.
"As a leader in the world of diving, Ron O'Brien set the standard for excellence, integrity and innovation in our sport," said head diving coach Justin Sochor. "His impact is immeasurable, not just through the athletes he coaches to greatness, but through the wisdom and passion he shared with everyone he encountered. Ron's legacy will live on in the diving community for generations, and we are forever grateful for his contributions. He was a mentor, a pioneer and a friend to so many. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time."
O'Brien coached the Buckeye divining program from 1964-78. During that time, Ohio State divers won five NCAA 1-meter titles and three 3-meter titles. At the Big Ten Championships, Buckeye divers captured five one-meter titles and five three-meter titles.
"There is a reason that Ron O'Brien is the greatest diving coach of all time, aside from just his athletic record, which is incomparable," said All-American diver Steve Skilken, who was a member of the Ohio State diving program from 1970-72. "He had the unique ability to lead from behind, to motivate people to overachieve, to teach without preaching and, above all, make people better just for knowing him. He coached the whole person, from brilliant sports mechanics to invaluable life skills; he was there every day from the moment he met them and for the rest of their lives. His teachings live on in all he met. A truly rare combination of sport mechanics genius, psychology savant and saintly kindness, Dr. Ron O'Brien is the greatest diving coach the world will ever know."
O'Brien attended Ohio State from 1957-59 and earned six varsity letters, competing on the gymnastics and diving teams. He was the NCAA champion on the one-meter board in 1959.
O'Brien coached Olympic champion Greg Louganis and long-time Ohio State diving coach Vince Panzano. He served as a coach for Team USA at eight Olympic Games.
In 1984, O'Brien was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame, the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
After his retirement from coaching in 1996, O'Brien became the national technical director for USA Diving.
"As a leader in the world of diving, Ron O'Brien set the standard for excellence, integrity and innovation in our sport," said head diving coach Justin Sochor. "His impact is immeasurable, not just through the athletes he coaches to greatness, but through the wisdom and passion he shared with everyone he encountered. Ron's legacy will live on in the diving community for generations, and we are forever grateful for his contributions. He was a mentor, a pioneer and a friend to so many. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time."
O'Brien coached the Buckeye divining program from 1964-78. During that time, Ohio State divers won five NCAA 1-meter titles and three 3-meter titles. At the Big Ten Championships, Buckeye divers captured five one-meter titles and five three-meter titles.
"There is a reason that Ron O'Brien is the greatest diving coach of all time, aside from just his athletic record, which is incomparable," said All-American diver Steve Skilken, who was a member of the Ohio State diving program from 1970-72. "He had the unique ability to lead from behind, to motivate people to overachieve, to teach without preaching and, above all, make people better just for knowing him. He coached the whole person, from brilliant sports mechanics to invaluable life skills; he was there every day from the moment he met them and for the rest of their lives. His teachings live on in all he met. A truly rare combination of sport mechanics genius, psychology savant and saintly kindness, Dr. Ron O'Brien is the greatest diving coach the world will ever know."
O'Brien attended Ohio State from 1957-59 and earned six varsity letters, competing on the gymnastics and diving teams. He was the NCAA champion on the one-meter board in 1959.
O'Brien coached Olympic champion Greg Louganis and long-time Ohio State diving coach Vince Panzano. He served as a coach for Team USA at eight Olympic Games.
In 1984, O'Brien was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame, the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
After his retirement from coaching in 1996, O'Brien became the national technical director for USA Diving.
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