Hobie Billingsley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hobie Billingsley
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Billingsley in 1963
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| Born | December 2, 1926 Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | July 16, 2022 (aged 95) Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.
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Hobart Sherwood Billingsley, often called Hobie, was a famous American diving champion. He later became a highly respected coach for high school, college, and even Olympic diving teams for many years. He is honored in the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his amazing contributions to the sport.
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Hobie's Early Life and Diving Start
Hobie Billingsley was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on December 2, 1926. He learned to dive all by himself! He studied special charts at his local YMCA to figure out the best techniques.
In 1943, during his last year of high school, he placed third in the national championships. He then went to Ohio State University (OSU). As a freshman in 1945, he won two big titles: the NCAA one-meter and three-meter diving championships.
Hobie paused his studies to join the United States Armed Forces. He served in Japan during World War II. After the war, he returned to OSU. Later, he earned a master's degree from the University of Washington.
Coaching Career and Success
Billingsley started his career as a high school teacher and coach. From 1955 to 1957, he coached swimming and diving at Allen Park High School in Michigan. He helped build a strong swimming program there.
Soon after, James Counsilman, the head swimming coach at Indiana University, hired him. Counsilman even created a special diving coach position just for Hobie.
Leading the Indiana Hoosiers
Hobie Billingsley was the diving coach for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1959 to 1989. For three decades, he led his teams to incredible victories. They won six NCAA championships and 23 Big Ten team championships.
He also coached the United States Olympic diving team. He led the team at the 1968, 1972, and 1976 Summer Games.
Olympic Medal Winners
Divers trained by Hobie won 115 national diving titles! They also earned seven Olympic medals. Some of his Olympic medalists include Lesley Bush, Kenneth Sitzberger, Mark Lenzi, Cynthia Potter, Win Young, and Jim Henry.
In 1968, Billingsley started the World Diving Coaches Association. Two years later, he founded the American Coaches Diving Association. Many people consider him one of the most important figures in diving history.
A documentary called Hobie’s Heroes — 25th Anniversary Edition was made about him. It showed the challenges and triumphs of young divers training with this legendary coach. The title "Hobie's Heroes" was the nickname he gave to his divers.
Later Life and Legacy
Even after retiring from university coaching, Hobie stayed active in diving. He continued to train divers and coaches all over the world. He was also a respected speaker on diving history, techniques, and sports ethics.
In 1990, he released his book, Diving Illustrated. This important book offers detailed technical advice for diving coaches. A second edition was published in 2018.
Personal Life
Hobie Billingsley married Mary Drake in 1952. They met in college and had three children together.
Hobie passed away on July 16, 2022, in Bloomington. He was 95 years old.
Honors and Awards
Billingsley received many honors for his work. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1983.
In 1994, he received the Sammy Lee Award, which is the highest award in diving. That same year, he was also honored in the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame.
At the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, Hobie took the oath for all the judges. The Counsilman–Billingsley Aquatics Center at Indiana University is named after him. An award from the Indiana High School Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame also carries his name.
See also
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
