The United States Aquatic Sports Banquet saw the opportunity for USA Diving to present several awards, including Diver of the Year, to prominant members of the diving community. The awards banquet culminated several days of meetings during the annual convention for members of United States Aquatic Sports. The convention was held from September 22-28 in Atlanta.
Athlete of the Year
David Boudia received USA Diving’s 2008 Athlete of the Year award, culminating a successful year for the 19-year-old from Noblesville, Ind. The award, sponsored by the USA Diving Board of Directors, is given to the outstanding diving athlete of the year who has demonstrated excellence in their performances in national and international diving competition.
The 2008 Olympic Team member made finals in two Olympic diving events, finishing tenth on platform and fifth in synchro platform. Boudia also won three national championships and five international medals throughout the year, including a bronze at the 2008 FINA World Cup.
Moose Moss Age Group Coach of the Year
Bob Gunter won the award for the third consecutive year as his team at the Woodlands Diving Academy won its fourth straight overall title at the Speedo Junior national Championships. Woodlands divers won six individual national titles and added six silver medals. Two of his divers. Kaylea Arnett and Michele Cabassol won silver medals at the FINA Junior Diving World Championships in Germany in September.
Mike Peppe Award
Presented to the outstanding senior diving coach in the nation, Indiana University diving coach Jeff Huber received the award for the eighth time in his career. Indiana Diving won the team title at the Kaiser Permanente National Championships, and Huber was named a U.S. Olympic Team coach for the third time, coaching Christina Loukas to an Olympic Team berth.
Phil Boggs Award
Frank Gorman, the 1964 Olympic silver medalist on springboard, was awarded the Phil Boggs award, which honors those who have achieved individual excellence in diving and have given back a part of themselves to assure the sport’s continuation and success.
Glen McCormick Award
Doris Miller, a member of USA Diving’s Performance Enhancement Team, was honored with the Glenn McCormick Award, presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the sport of diving.
