Olympic diving coach John Wingfield visits North Greenville University
Posted by The Skyliner on February 24th, 2010Rachel Ham
Staff Writer
Coach John Wingfield talks with the media during a USA Diving Team press conference ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the Main Press Center on August, 3 2008 in Beijing, China. (Getty Images)
In the midst of the 2010 Winter Olympics, the North Greenville University Sport Management Society had the unique opportunity to hear from an Olympic coach. On Feb. 15 in Hayes Ministry Center, John Wingfield, head coach of the 2008 U.S. Olympic diving team and current director and head coach of the USA Diving National Training Center, spoke to 140 North Greenville University sport management majors and guests, including Jimmy Epting, president of NGU.
Before becoming a part of USA Diving, Wingfield spent 10 years coaching at Ball State University. He coached three divers, David Boudia, Thomas Finchum and Mary Beth Dunnichay, who competed in Beijing on the 2008 Olympic diving team. Wingfield has coached these three divers through most of their careers.
Wingfield visited campus on Monday with his wife Tania and daughter Sierra. The Wingfields were guests of Ralph Johnson, Dean of the College of Business and Sport Professions, and his wife, Peggy. Wingfield was recruited as a diver when he and Johnson were at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Johnson contacted Wingfield last fall and asked him to come speak.
As he spoke about his role as the USA’s Olympic diving coach, Wingfield talked about how he prepares his athletes for competition. Training begins very early for divers with Olympic aspirations. He mentioned how having a routine is critical for the mentally challenging sport of diving. Wingfield shared several stories about the Olympic divers he worked with and his time in Beijing.
Wingfield challenged those in attendance to remember when they first found their dream and to do what is necessary to achieve that dream.
Aside from speaking Monday night to the Sport Management Society, Wingfield also spoke to several sport management classes during the week. He spoke on the history of the Olympic movement and how Olympic coaches approach leadership.
“It was an incredible honor meeting such an organized and godly man who is passionate about the sport of diving. NGU was privileged to have him here,” Fred Battenfield, sport management professor, said about Wingfield’s visit.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 5