The University of Denver swimming and diving program has hired 2012 NCAA platform diving champion and two-time All-American Benjamin Grado as its diving coach, 11th-year head coach Brian Schrader announced on Tuesday. Grado replaces Channing Kimball, who had been with the program for three seasons before departing earlier this summer.
"Accepting this position at the University of Denver has given me so much excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming year,” Grado said. “I look forward to the opportunity that will empower others to excel in the sport of diving and bring them to the next level. As a diving coach, my goal is to encompass a passion towards excellence, dedication and commitment and bring that to the swimming and diving program."
Since the conclusion of his collegiate career, Grado spent four years as an artistic and performance diver for Cirque du Soleil, performing on the Russian Swing and the 18-meter high diving. Grado has also served as the diving coach for the Tucson Diving Team. The 2012 Arizona alum’s duties involved planning training regiments, coordinating with superiors and athletes on working towards competitive goals and conducting physical and mental training for the team and athletes.
Grado became the first diver in Arizona history to win a national title with his win on the platform at the NCAA Championships in 2012, a year that also saw the Conifer, Colo., native become the first diver since 2002 to win on all three boards at the Pac-12 Championships. The 2012 Pac-12 Diver of the Year finished in ninth place on both the 1m and 3m at the NCAA Championships.
In the summer of 2011, Grado finished third on the 10m, fourth on the 1m, eighth on the 3m and was high-point winner at the ATT USA Diving Championships, qualifying the Arizona grad for the U.S. Olympic Trials in June of 2012. Grado also finished sixth on the 3m at winter Nationals in Iowa in 2011.
The 2008 Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year’s first All-America honor came in 2010, a sixth-place finish on the 3m at the NCAA Championships.
Outside of the pool, Grado has been involved with the Special Olympics and the Boys Club of Arizona.
