Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (2024)

Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (1)

Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (2)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) — For the last 19 years, Purdue Diving has been under the leadership of the gold and black faithful Adam Soldati.

With an abrupt change facing the program, Soldati and his protégé, walked Sports 18 through the transition.

“My goal coming in here was to try to use this sport to help people grow as people…help them become the best athletes they can become,” Soldati explained.

Purdue’s 19 year head coach, Adam Soldati’s goal, was just a puddle compared to the waves of success he’s brought to the program.

“It’s hard to put into words what Adam has done with the program. Made Purdue Diving one of the strongest programs in Purdue Sports history.”

Cultivating Olympians, NCAA and Big Ten champions, All-Americans etc. Soldati is passing the torch to protégé and Olympic Champion, David Boudia, after recently being diagnosed with ALS.

“Definitely not how we planned to transition into me being head coach. So, for me to step in as head coach and takeover… just his legacy. It’s kind of a big burden. At the same time there’s an excitement to continue what he’s done,” Boudia said.

Boudia began his coaching career after the 2021 Olympic trials. Trusting his teaching and experience, Boudia talks through his thought process in his new role.

“Just like an athlete, you have to filter out the lies you’re believing and one thing that I think has made us successful at Purdue Diving is planning and knowing what it takes to reach the top,” he said.

Still on the pool deck, Soldati speaks on his thought process to help better the athletes.

“For me as a coach, getting my mind right before I come to the pool and understanding that I want to bring my best if I expect them to bring their best. So, everybody develops their own routines by themselves to figure out how they come prepared to do their best every day,” Soldati to Sports 18.

In his short time leading the team, Boudia reveals what has been the most rewarding part of this stage of his coaching journey.

“I would say one of the most rewarding things is seeing a diver — if you’re diving from a 10-meter platform and you’re learning a new dive or trying to perfect a dive, it all happens on the lower stages. So, seeing those little changes and eventually they get up to 10 meters and they’re able to do it for close to perfect 10s. Seeing that transition from something that was good to make it great and to make it the best is probably one of the most fulfilling parts,”Boudia exclaimed.

With big shoes to fill, Boudia believes he’s equipped for the task.

Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (3)

Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (4)

”So, I’ve had a great mentor from Adam and Vince Panzano who used to be the Ohio State coach years ago. Just a lot of people that poured into me and helped me to see clearly on how to move our program forward.”

Closing things out, Coach Soldati discusses his Purdue experience.

“From my experience here, I mean God has used it in a massive way to continue to grow me. Year after year, every athlete that comes in brings a special, unique gifting of strengths and weaknesses. As they grow, I grow. It’s just been, when I think of Purdue, it’s just been a place that’s been used so powerfully in my life to help me realize more of who I am, what God’s created me for and excited in whatever this next season looks like for me. I get to take everything that I’ve learned from here, move it into the next season.”Soldati told Sports 18.

According to Purdue Sports, as Boudia ascends to Purdue head coach, Soldati will move to the role of director of diving for the short term. A GoFundMe has been established to help the Soldati Family cover the fees associated with the challenges that come with combating ALS and adapting to life with it.

See link: https://gofund.me/5c5b9379

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Purdue Diving leadership embraces transition (2024)

FAQs

What is the diagnosis of the Purdue diving coach? ›

Soldati was diagnosed with ALS and presented with "doomsday scenarios" when first meeting with doctors.

Who is the wife of the Purdue diving coach? ›

Soldati is married to Kimiko Hirai Soldati, who was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Diving Team. The couple has six children -- sons, Blake and Isaac, as well as daughters Maiya and Emiko.

Who does David Boudia coach? ›

David Boudia - Men's Swimming & Diving Coach - Purdue Boilermakers.

Who was the diver who became paralyzed? ›

Mark Raymond Jr. is a quadriplegic who uses a wheelchair after a diving accident. He opened an inclusive gym and wants to provide holistic support to people with disabilities. This is Raymond's story, as told to Kelly Burch.

What diver was saved by her coach? ›

American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez is rescued from the bottom of the pool by her coach, Andrea Fuentes, after her routine in the women's solo free artistic swimming finals at the 2022 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, on June 22.

Where does David Boudia live? ›

Born in Abilene, Texas, Boudia's parents are Jim and Sheilagh Boudia. He graduated from Noblesville High School in 2007, and attended Purdue University. He resides in West Lafayette, Indiana.

What coach was diagnosed with ALS? ›

Bob Jones, a former assistant coach for the Ottawa Senators, has died of ALS. He was 54. Jones, a native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, was in his fourth season with the Senators coaching staff when he was diagnosed in December 2022.

Who is the girls swim coach at Purdue? ›

John Klinge

What is David Boudia doing now? ›

As many of you know, I am coaching along side Adam Soldati at Purdue University and I couldn't be more eager to continue to learn from one of the best. I look forward to continuing to be immersed in the diving world as a coach and see what the next chapter holds. Eyes set for Paris 2024, just in a new role!

Who is the swimming coach with ALS? ›

Longtime Purdue diving coach Adam Soldati is stepping down from his post after 19 years to focus on his health and spend more time with his family following his recent diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Who is Purdue QB wife? ›

Personal life. O'Connell is married to Jael O'Connell (née Johnson), who played volleyball at Purdue.

Who is the Olympic diver from Noblesville in? ›

According to the news release, the list of 78 individuals is led by Noblesville native David Boudia, who started his diving career at Forest Park Aquatic Center at the age of 11 and won a gold medal in the 10-meter platform competition at the 2012 Olympics.

Who is the coach of the USA Diving Olympic team? ›

– Indiana head diving coach Drew Johansen has been named the head coach for the U.S. Olympic Team for diving at the 2024 Paris Games, as USA Diving announced its full coaching staff this week. Johansen will lead Team USA in a fourth-straight Olympics, serving as head coach since 2012.

Who coaches Michael Phelps? ›

Bowman, of course, is best known for coaching the most decorated Olympian of all-time in 23-time gold medalist Michael Phelps. Texas Director of Swimming and Diving Bob Bowman at Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on June 28, 2024. Bowman was recently named the men's swim coach at the University of Texas.

Who is Gerry Dunn diving coach? ›

Dunn is a certified Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) Technical Official and continues to serve as a diving official for FINA, Big Ten and NCAA Championships. He served on the Board of Directors of USA Diving and currently is a serving member of USA Diving's Board of Review.

What happened to Purdue football coach? ›

According to a report by ESPN's Chris Low, Purdue coach Jeff Brohm is leaving the program to become the next head coach of Louisville. He led the Boilermakers for the past six seasons, earning a 36-35 overall record that included a 26-25 mark in Big Ten play.

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