2022-2023 Coaches
A Special Note from Coach Mike Darland...
As a parent and long term coach, I believe a very important decision in your child's life is "which athletic endeavors to choose" and just as important, "who to choose as your coaches". With this in mind, I have assembled an impressive group of coaches to help coach my team. Some of them are well know and accomplished at the highest levels of national and international diving. I also have coaches with the personalities that kids love. I look forward to you getting to know this group.
Owner & Head Coach Michael Darland
Head Coach Mike Darland with 5 time Olympic Coach Kimball
Diving & Coaching Background
-Competitive U.S. Diver on 10-meter Platform, 3 and 1-meter springboard (Coached by Olympic Coach Dick Kimball)
-University of Michigan Diving Team (1975-1979) & Varsity Letter Winner
-Coached for over 8 years by Olympic Coaches Dick Kimball & Ron O'Brien
-Safety Certification Trainer for U.S. Diving Coaches since 2008
-FINA Certified International Diving Judge since 2009 - Qualified to Judge World Level & Divers in International Competitions
-Chairman - AAU Metropolitan Diving
-Chairman - U.S. Diving - Southern N.Y. Diving Association
-Diving Director of Future Stars Summer Camp since 2007
-Diving Safety Certification & Lifegaurd Instructor
Education & Business Career
-University of Michigan-BGS Degree, Business & Communication Concentration 1979
-Northwestern University - M.B.A. - 1989
-Marketing Executive: Corporate Companies worked for included Procter & Gamble, The Quaker Oats Company, Con Agra, Alberto Culver & Del Labs
Lead Coach- Cameron Ellis
Diving Experience
- Silver Medallist on 1 & 3m at SUNY Athletic Conference College Championships
- All American Diver and 4 year team leader at SUNY Oswego
- NCAA Nationals Qualifier
- Performs the highest level degree of difficulty dives at the college level today.
- Scored 8's and 9's on his 107c (forward 3 1/2 somersault) at his College Championship meet. (Ask Coach Darland to show you the video of him ripping this dive at the Championships!)
Gymnastics Experience
- Level 10 Gymnast
- Participated in team gymnastics for over 8 years
College
- Graduate of SUNY Oswego
- Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Minor in Athletic Conditioning
Development Coach Nicole Gonzalez
High Dive Champions Developmement Coach since 2022
USA Diving & AAU Certified Diving Coach
High School Diving Course Certifications
Guest Coach - Ken Vigiletti
University of Michigan and Kimball Diver
High School State Diving Champion - Michigan
High School All American
University of Michigan Letter Winner
Big Ten Diving Championship Finalist
NCAA Division 1 Diving Championship Finalist
Coach of Summer Diving-All Ages
Olympic Coach Dick Kimball - Guest Coach
Olympic Coach –1964,1980, 1984, 1988, 1992
Coach of 5 Olympic Gold Medalists, 5 Silver Medalists & 3 Bronze Medalists
Coach of 68 National Diving Champions
International Hall of Famer
University of Michigan Diving Coach 1960 – 2002
Coach of the Year – Multiple Years for Senior Diving & Age Group
NCAA Diving Champion in 1957 (1 & 3 Meter)
1963 World Champion - Professional Diving Championships
Future Stars Diving Coach since 2008
High Dive Special Guest Coach for Kimball Cup week since 2004
Elite Guest Coach- Johan Lopez
15 Years Diving Coach Experience - College & U.S. Diving Junior Olympic
College - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Diving Coach since 2015
US Diving - High Dive Champions 2011-2022
NCAA Diver at Lehman College
Trained with Olympic Coach Jeff Huber
U.S. Diving Trampoline Spotting Specialist - Certified by Olympic Coach Dick Kimball
Guest Coach Veronica Canada
High Dive Champions Developmement Coach since 2021
NCAA D1 Diver at George Mason University
An Accomplished Diver in High School at East Ramapo and on the West Point Diving Academy AAU Club Team
Started Diving in 2007