Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – After 36 years of coaching, 15 of which with the Hokies, head diving coach Ron Piemonte is retiring from Virginia Tech.
From ACC medals, MVP's, All-Americans to Coach of the Year, Piemonte has an impressive list of accomplishments from his tenure with the Hokies.
He has coached 11 ACC gold medalists, nine silver medalists and 15 bronze medalists. Under Piemonte, six Hokies have been recognized as the Diving MVP at the ACC Championships and four have received the ACC Diver of the Year award.
As head diving coach, he has led 38 Hokies to All-America honors - 18 being Honorable Mentions. Piemonte is also credited with being a two-time ACC Women's Dive Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
In his own athletic career, Piemonte competed at the national level from 1974 to 1985. While at Arizona State University, he was a Pac-10 champion, runner-up and NCAA finalist.
Piemonte not only made an impact on the athletic careers of his athletes, but also left an incredible culture for the diving program by maintaining a close-knit team environment.
Head Coach Sergio Lopez Miro
"It is hard for me to express in a few words what Coach Ron means to Virginia Tech and to me, personally. Ron is one of the top diving coaches in the country, and his divers have performed at the highest level in the ACC and NCAA Championships since he came to Blacksburg almost 15 years ago.
The way Ron treats his divers (and all the swimmers and coaches) during practice, at meets and outside of the water, is exceptional. He is always looking for the well-being of the person and always ready to help and support anyone. I have watched him coach for the last three years on the pool deck almost daily and it always impresses me the way they train and execute practices.
It is a big loss for the Virginia Tech swimming and diving team, but I could not be happier for Ron, his wife Tina and his whole family. He has done so much for the sport of diving and also for the Virginia Tech swimming and diving team that he deserves now to focus on his life and spend time with his wife doing everything that they have planned.
Personally, I could not be more thankful for Ron and Tina for opening their home to my family and convincing me to be their neighbor. Both of them have been one of the big reasons why Sandy and I are so happy here, and I am looking forward to continuing our friendship for many years."
Izzi Mroz, Junior
"Ron has been one of the most amazing coaches. He has taught me so much more than just learning how to enter the water and do big dives. He has taught me to believe in myself. I am beyond blessed that I have had the opportunity to be coached by him these past three years. Although he is moving on in life, he will forever be the genius in diving. Thank you, Ron, for the best three years of my college diving career!"
Noah Zawadzki, Junior
"One thing that Ron always said to me was that, 'you are only as good as you believe you are.' This stuck with me in a way that I could have never imagined. Ron was a phenomenal coach and even better person. A lot of coaches out there will preach perfection, but Ron preaches confidence over anything else, and that is why he is one of the best coaches I have ever had. I am going to miss him a lot, and I am grateful to have been able to dive for him these past three years."