Certain sports leave me in complete amazement. For example, while watching a great move on the basketball court can make me sit back in shock or jump out of my seat, at least in basketball I know how something is done—I couldn’t do it, but I know how it’s done. However, when it comes to sports like diving, platform or springboard, I just can’t get my mind around it. The sheer amount of athleticism, guts, and pure talent required to perform what they do is beyond comprehension. Even when I worked promotions for swim meets at Purdue, I could watch the divers be strapped in and practice on the trampolines and mats, and I was still in awe of their abilities.

Since 2005, Purdue has had the good fortune to have one of the top diving coaches in the nation. Adam Soldati has been a vital member of the USA Diving team during the Olympics, the Purdue athletics community, and the diving community as a whole. It’s astounding to see what he has accomplished during his tenure at Purdue. Just look at this passage from the press statement that Purdue issued:

The foundation of the program is Soldati’s knowledge, insight, and perspective; since 2009, the Purdue Divers have won 14 NCAA national titles. Soldati’s students have won 34 titles at national championship meets for USA Diving. Both Brandon Loschiavo and Steele Johnson have earned the right to call themselves Olympians in addition to winning national titles at both levels. This summer, Maycey Vieta has already earned a spot in the Olympic Games.

The Boilermakers have produced numerous All-Americans (academic and athletic), Big Ten champions, Big Ten Divers of the Year, Purdue Athletes of the Year, and university graduates over the last 19 NCAA seasons. The late Morgan Burke, the athletic director of Purdue from 1993 to 2016, is credited with hiring Soldati and is honored by the name of his aquatic center, the Burke Aquatic Center. Burke’s ideal of producing academics, champions, and citizens was what Soldati and the Purdue Divers consistently brought to life on an unparalleled scale.

David Boudia, who would go on to win four Olympic medals throughout his three Olympic games, is undoubtedly his most well-known pupil. However, as the image above shows, Soldati contributed to the development of more than simply Olympians—he also helped to create Big Ten and NCAA champions, as well as decent men and women who valued their education.

Adam Soldati would be able to stay at Purdue for as long as he wanted if everything in life were fair and just. He would be able to enjoy his life with his wife and his six children. However, as we are all too aware, life is neither just nor fair. Following an ALS diagnosis, Soldati is leaving both Purdue and coaching in general.

Through the Olympic games, Soldati will continue to be involved with the program and diving in general. David Boudia, a protégé of Soldati, will now oversee the program at Purdue. Therefore, Soldati’s fingerprints are all over the program even after he leaves it.

To assist his family in paying for the medical bills, a GoFundMe has been established, for anyone who are interested. Your contribution, in any amount, would be greatly appreciated by this outstanding Purdue representative.