UM diving coach honored by US Diving

Sept. 17, 2002

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – US Diving selected University of Miami diving coach Randy Ableman for its Phil Boggs Award last week at its annual meeting in Dallas.

Ableman, a 1983 graduate of the University of Iowa, has led the Hurricanes’ diving team since 1989. He was a 1980 Olympian and a member of the national team from 1978 to 1984.

“I was a little bit shocked, but I felt honored (when I heard that I had received the award,” coach Ableman said. “Phil Boggs was one of my idols growing up. I was just honored that the members of US Diving had voted for me.”

The award is among the highest in the sport of diving and is usually reserved for former presidents of USD and the like. Ableman thought that it was unusual for an active coach to be presented with such an award.

Under his tutelage, the Hurricane diving team has sustained a tradition of National Title producers as well as Olympians.

Ableman and his wife, Karen, are the parents of one daughter.

The award is named in honor of Phil Boggs, the 1976 Olympic gold medalist in the springboard event and former USD president. According to a statement from USD, the award is presented annually to “honor those who have achieved individual excellence in diving and have given back a part of themselves to assure the sport’s continuation and success.”