YSU Names Ron Kontura Head Diving Coach and Director of Operations

Youngstown State University and Head Swimming & Diving Coach Hannah Saiz have introduced the hiring of Ron Kontura because the Penguins’ new Head Diving Coach and Director of Operations. Kontura brings greater than 30 years of expertise in collegiate teaching, athletic administration and championship occasion administration to Youngstown State. Throughout his profession, he has developed NCAA champions, All-Americans, convention champions and Olympic Trials qualifiers whereas constructing profitable diving applications at each stage of collegiate athletics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ron Kontura to the Youngstown State family,” Saiz mentioned. “Ron is one of the most accomplished diving coaches in the country. His ability to develop elite student-athletes, build successful programs and lead complex operations makes him an incredible addition to our staff. His passion for mentoring young people and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the vision for our program.”

Kontura spent the previous six seasons at Kenyon College, serving to lead one of many nation’s premier Division III swimming and diving applications. During his tenure, he was named NCAA Division III Men’s Diving Coach of the Year twice and North Coast Athletic Conference Men’s Diving Coach of the Year 4 occasions. His divers gained six NCAA particular person nationwide championships, earned eight All-America honors and produced a number of NCAA Diver of the Year award winners. In addition to teaching, Kontura served as Director of Aquatics and Director of the Total Performance Swim Camp, overseeing facility operations, staffing, programming and championship occasion administration whereas serving to lead a Swim & Dive Reunion Weekend that raised greater than $4 million for this system’s endowment.

“Youngstown State represents an exciting opportunity to build something special,” Kontura mentioned. “I am honored to join Coach Saiz’s staff and become part of the Penguin family. I look forward to helping our student-athletes reach their highest potential in the classroom, in competition and as leaders. Together, we will build a culture centered on excellence, accountability and pride in representing Youngstown State.”

Prior to Kenyon, Kontura served as head diving coach on the University of California, Berkeley, the United States Military Academy at West Point, Illinois State University and Allegheny College. At California, he helped information the Golden Bears to the 2005 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Dual Meet Championship whereas recruiting and growing nationally elite divers. During his tenure at Army West Point, he earned Patriot League Coach of the Year honors twice whereas establishing the academy’s diving camp and membership program.

Beyond the pool deck, Kontura has constructed an intensive background in athletic operations and occasion administration. He has contributed to the planning and execution of NCAA Championships, convention championships, USA Diving National Championships, Olympic Trials and worldwide competitions. As proprietor of High Performance Aquatics, he continues to serve the game by consulting, aquatic programming and championship occasion administration, together with latest roles as Diving Event Director for the Mid-American Conference and Missouri Valley Conference Championships, a member of the organizing committee for the World Aquatics High Diving World Cup, announcer for the NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships and a part of the occasion operations group for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials.

A lifelong contributor to the game, Kontura is a Lifetime Member of USA Diving and has served as Chairman of USA Masters Diving, a member of the USA Diving Rules Committee, Team Leader for the Junior World Championships and Junior Pan American Games, and Site Selection Chair for greater than 20 nationwide championships. He has additionally served as meet director for quite a few convention and USA Diving championship occasions.

Kontura earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University earlier than finishing his Master of Business Administration at Illinois State University.

A Cleveland native, Kontura is worked up to return to Northeast Ohio and start the following chapter of his teaching profession at Youngstown State. His mixture of championship teaching expertise, operational management and long-standing service to the game will strengthen the Penguins’ swimming and diving program because it continues to pursue convention and nationwide success.