University of Iowa diving coach Bob Rydze, a member of the Hawkeyes swimming and diving program for the past 37 years, has announced his retirement, which will become effective June 30.
"It has been an honor to be the diving coach at the University of Iowa for 37 years," Rydze says. "But after being in the sport for 51 years, 10 as an athlete and 41 as a coach, I've decided it is time to move on to a new phase of my life."
During his coaching career, Rydze coached 18 NCAA All-Americans who received 42 All-America honors. He also coached four Olympians, nine divers who competed in the World Championships, three Big Ten champions who won six titles, 35 Big Ten finalists, 25 NCAA qualifiers, and an NCAA champion. He was also a key member of the coaching staff under Glen Patton that won the 1981 and 1982 Big Ten championships.
"Bob's success in the sport of diving is unmatched," says Gary Barta, UI director of athletics. "He achieved at the highest level and did so as a Hawkeye. We're all proud of him, and appreciate his many years of service."
Rydze was honored four times as the Big Ten Coach of the Year, earning the distinction in 1985, 1986, 1995, and 2011. He was named the National Age Group Coach of the Year in 1977. Rydze was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 2011 he received the Glenn McCormick Award, which is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the sport of diving.
"I hope that I've made a positive contribution to each of my divers that I have coached," Rydze says. "At all times during my career, throughout my success collegiately, on the national and international level, I have also represented the great name of the University of Iowa. My only regret is that I leave behind a great freshman and sophomore class, but I know they are in good hands in the near future.
"Being the diving coach at the University of Iowa has given me the opportunity to travel to not only all parts of the United States, but to all parts of the globe, and for that I am very grateful."
“Bob's success in the sport of diving is unmatched. He achieved at the highest level and did so as a Hawkeye. We're all proud of him, and appreciate his many years of service.”
—Gary Barta,
UI director of athletics
Rydze began his coaching career at Eastern Michigan from 1971-73, where he led the Eagles to the NCAA college division swimming and diving championship. He then went on to coach at the Dad's club in Houston, Texas, from 1973-75, where he led his age group to three titles and the national age group team championship.
Rydze graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in history, and he competed on the 1969-70 ACC Championship team. He received a master's degree in history from Eastern Michigan in 1973.
He and his wife, Elaine, have three children—Bo, Robin, and Veronica. Veronica was an All-American one-meter diver for the Hawkeyes in 2011. She concluded her UI diving career in 2012.