Diaz To Be Honored In Scoreboard Dedication Ceremony
Nov. 1, 2007
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami swimming coach Bill Diaz will be honored prior to the University of Miami’s home meet against Houston Friday, Nov. 2, with the unveiling of a new electronic scoreboard at the Norman Whitten Student Union Pool dedicated in his name.
UM alumni and former student-athletes who swam under Diaz as well as friends of the Diaz family have raised the funds to honor the legendary coach. The group raised more than $32,000 that was eventually donated to the UM Athletic Department with the intention of purchasing a modern electronic scoreboard for the swimming team.
The ceremony to honor Coach Diaz will take place just prior to the start of the 5 p.m. meet.
The Electronic Scoreboard and timing device is a sophisticated state-of-the-art touch-pad timing system and wireless scoreboard that times and records each swimmer during competitive swim meets and will enhance Miami’s current swimming facilities for UM meets and events for years to come.
In 14 seasons as the head swim coach at the University of Miami, Bill Diaz orchestrated the rise of one of America’s premiere swimming programs. Called by many the man who brought the Miami swimming program into national prominence, Diaz took the helm of the Hurricane swimming team in 1971 and with his ability to inspire swimmers coupled with his thorough knowledge of coaching techniques led UM to the become of the nation’s finest programs.
Under Diaz’s guidance the Hurricanes recorded 11 top 20 NCAA finishes, including five top ten finishes with three consecutive ninth place finishes from 1974-1976. Miami was also able to achieve three National Independent National titles, taking the men’s top honor in 1974, 1977 and 1982. Diaz led the women’s team to an AIAW National Championship in 1975. He also led the Hurricanes to 14 individual national championships.
He coached a total of 36 All-Americans at Miami, with 23 members of the men’s team and 13 members of the women’s team receiving the honor. Some of the University of Miami’s most decorated athletes swam under Diaz, including Matt Gribble, a two-time Olympian, two-time NCAA Champions and four-time All-America, Jesse Vassallo, a two-time Olympian, a National Champion in the 400 IM and four-time All-America, and David Wilkie, a 1976 Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA Champion and four-time All-American.
Diaz’s coaching network extended well beyond the university and into the international scene. In August of 1981 he directed a contingent of 44 U.S. swimmers to the first Tokyo International Swim meet, where he served as the Head Manager and Team Leader of the American squad. Diaz was also selected as a staff member to the 1982 U.S. Swimming Team that competed at the World Championship Games in Quaquil, Ecuador.
He served as a State Department representative in 1961, giving swimming clinics throughout Central America and in 1969 he coached an AAU team on a tour of Germany, competing against 18 other nations.
Prior to coming to UM, Diaz led Miami Jackson High and Miami Springs High to a total of nine state titles. Three of his girl’s teams at Miami Springs also earned state championships and he was recognized as Dade County’s “Coach of the Year” five times.
Diaz was honored by UM in 1984 as he was inducted into the University of Miami Hall of Fame.
