Thanks to a generous grant from The Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin Foundation, this award was established in 2003 to recognize outstanding coaching achievement. To be eligible for this award, a coach must have at least one diver earn a medal at the Olympic Games or World Championships.

With the success of Team USA at the recent XI FINA World Championships in Montreal, Canada, Armstrong, Scoggin and Laak became 2005 recipients.

At the XI FINA World Championships, Laura Wilkinson (Spring, Texas) was the gold medalist on women’s 10-meter platform. T. Dumais (Ventura, Calif.) won the silver on men’s 3-meter springboard and the bronze on men’s synchronized 3-meter springboard with brother Justin (Ventura, Calif.).

The award is bestowed upon the coach of record for the previous 48 months. Armstrong received his award for coaching Wilkinson, Dumais and Dumais; Scoggin coached Dumais and Dumais; and Laak coached J. Dumais. Coaches sharing the same diver over the 48-month period received a percentage of the award.

Each recipient was presented with a monetary award as well as a plaque. In addition, each coach’s name will be permanently inscribed on the Benjamin Award that is housed in the USA Diving National Office in Indianapolis, Ind.

“We hope this is just the beginning of a long list of coaches that will be recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to their divers’ successes,” said Peter Lasser, trustee of the Benjamin Foundation.

The gift to the United States Diving Foundation was made possible thanks to the efforts of Lasser, the great nephew of Elizabeth and Barets O. Benjamin.

- USDF -

For more information on the Benjamin Foundation Coaches Performance Award or the United States Diving Foundation please visit www.usdivingfoundation.org or call 317-237-5252.