Former Columbia Diving Coach Jim Stillson Inducted to Texas Swim & Dive Hall of Fame
4/26/2024 3:30:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
Stillson coached Columbia Diving from 1974-1983
NEW YORK -- Former Columbia and Barnard Diving Coach Jim Stillson has been inducted into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame.
A coach for Columbia and Barnard from 1974-1983, Stillson was a mentor for the Lions' current Head Diving Coach Scott Donie and is someone who he credits with having the single greatest impact on his diving career. He was announced as a member of the Texas Hall of Fame Class of 2024 earlier this year, and will be officially inducted on Friday night at the organization's banquet.
"Jim Stillson is a legend and had a great impact on me as an athlete, a coach and a human being," Donie said. "I am so grateful that we get to celebrate him at this prestigious event, and I am proud to be a part of the legacy of great diving at Columbia and Barnard that Jim helped establish."
Following his time at Columbia, Stillson moved to Texas to become the head swimming and diving Coach at Southern Methodist University where Donie graduated in 1990.
In Austin, Stillson was a three-time NCAA Coach of the Year and 16-time conference Coach of the Year. In addition, Stillson coached four individuals to eight NCAA Championships and 20 student-athletes to 71 All-America honors.
In his 33 years as head coach of the men's and women's diving teams, his men's and women's teams won 32 combined conference championships. He also coached 10 U.S. National Champions, four NCAA champions, and four Olympians, including fellow Texas Hall of Famer Donie who was a 1992 silver medalist.
In 1989, Stillson was named the NCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year and, in 1990 and 1995, the NCAA Women's Diving Coach of the Year. Stillson served as one of the U.S. Diving National Team coaches from 1987-91 and again in 1997, leading the team at events in countries such as Europe, Australia, China and the Soviet Union.
KEEPING UP WITH THE LIONS
For the latest Columbia men's swimming and diving program, follow @CULionsMSD and @CULionsDiving on Instagram and Twitter, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
For the latest on the Columbia women's swimming and diving program, follow @CULionsWSD and @CULionsDiving on Instagram and Twitter, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
A coach for Columbia and Barnard from 1974-1983, Stillson was a mentor for the Lions' current Head Diving Coach Scott Donie and is someone who he credits with having the single greatest impact on his diving career. He was announced as a member of the Texas Hall of Fame Class of 2024 earlier this year, and will be officially inducted on Friday night at the organization's banquet.
"Jim Stillson is a legend and had a great impact on me as an athlete, a coach and a human being," Donie said. "I am so grateful that we get to celebrate him at this prestigious event, and I am proud to be a part of the legacy of great diving at Columbia and Barnard that Jim helped establish."
Following his time at Columbia, Stillson moved to Texas to become the head swimming and diving Coach at Southern Methodist University where Donie graduated in 1990.
In Austin, Stillson was a three-time NCAA Coach of the Year and 16-time conference Coach of the Year. In addition, Stillson coached four individuals to eight NCAA Championships and 20 student-athletes to 71 All-America honors.
In his 33 years as head coach of the men's and women's diving teams, his men's and women's teams won 32 combined conference championships. He also coached 10 U.S. National Champions, four NCAA champions, and four Olympians, including fellow Texas Hall of Famer Donie who was a 1992 silver medalist.
In 1989, Stillson was named the NCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year and, in 1990 and 1995, the NCAA Women's Diving Coach of the Year. Stillson served as one of the U.S. Diving National Team coaches from 1987-91 and again in 1997, leading the team at events in countries such as Europe, Australia, China and the Soviet Union.
KEEPING UP WITH THE LIONS
For the latest Columbia men's swimming and diving program, follow @CULionsMSD and @CULionsDiving on Instagram and Twitter, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
For the latest on the Columbia women's swimming and diving program, follow @CULionsWSD and @CULionsDiving on Instagram and Twitter, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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