WEST LAFAYETTE — It’s an Olympic year and Purdue University again will be represented in the sport of diving.
For Adam Soldati, it’ll be the end of a career unparalleled by any coach in Purdue athletics.
The Boilermaker diving coach was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in February.
With his health in mind, Soldati is stepping down and will be succeeded by protégé David Boudia, a four-time Olympic medalist, including the gold medal winner on the 10-meter platform at the 2012 Olympic games.
“As I reflect on my past 19 years with our Boilermaker family, I am overcome with gratitude and thankfulness,” Soldati said in an article published by Purdue athletics. “I rejoice in the relationships that Kimiko, our children and I have built here at Purdue and in Greater Lafayette. We have nothing but the greatest love and respect for so many people who have been part of our lives.
“I have always said that it’s not my job to create a champion but create an environment where you can become one. Purdue has afforded me that opportunity each and every year that I have been privileged to lead this program.”
Soldati succeeded Wenbo Chen as Purdue’s diving coach in 2005. Following an appearance in the 2008 Olympics, Boudia came to Purdue as Soldati’s most prized recruit and together the duo helped elevate a program that already had a solid history.
🖤💛 Thank you, Coach Soldati! We owe you everything.
To focus on his health and family, diving head coach Adam Soldati will pass the torch of leading Purdue to protégé & Olympic champion David Boudia due to Soldati’s recent diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). pic.twitter.com/EwfN7mdLNR
— Purdue Diving (@PurdueDivers) May 16, 2024
Boudia was the NCAA Diver of the Year in each of his three seasons competing for the Boilermakers, After winning a combined six NCAA titles, Boudia chose to forego his final year of college eligibility ahead of the 2012 Olympics. In 2021, Boudia joined Purdue’s staff as an assistant diving coach.
Soldati coached a total of 14 NCAA champions at Purdue and also coached the U.S. Olympic diving team.
Purdue diver Maycey Vieta already has qualified for the 2024 Olympics on the 10-meter. The Boilermakers hope to have more qualify in June at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Per Purdue athletics, Soldati will continue to coach through the trials and assist Boudia as needed through the Olympics.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue diving hires Olympian David Boudia as Adam Soldati steps down
