WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Adam Soldati achieved his goal of creating an environment at Purdue University where divers could become champions, a legacy that helped him become the first-ever diving coach to be the recipient of the CSCAA's National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy.
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America considers the National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy to be the highest honor in intercollegiate and interscholastic swimming & diving. The award recognizes individuals who have made the greatest contributions to the sports, both competitively and recreationally.
Soldati was among three finalists this year. Also among the trio was Cyndi Gallagher, the head coach of UCLA women's swimming & diving for 31 years and Tracy Huth, a former head coach and athletics director at Oakland University. Soldati was selected by CSCAA member coaches and is in line to be recognized at the annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Awards on May 5 at the organization's annual meetings in Raleigh, N.C.
Soldati joins Dick Papenguth, a member of the Purdue and International Swimming Halls of Fame, as Boilermakers to be recipients of the National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy. Papenguth, the 1965 honoree, served as the coach of Purdue Swimming & Diving from 1939-69 and coached Team USA's women's swimmers at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. The National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy was first awarded in 1959.
Soldati's remarkable 19-year tenure as Purdue's head diving coach has left an enduring legacy on the program and its athletes. Since joining Purdue in the spring of 2005, Soldati built one of the nation's premier diving programs, producing 14 NCAA titles, countless All-Americans and 22 Big Ten champions. The Boilermakers always excelled academically as well, earning dozens of CSCAA Scholar All-America and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors. His dedication to developing athletes stands as a testament to his excellence in both academics and athletics.
Known for his commitment to creating an environment where athletes could thrive, Soldati's influence extended to four-time Olympic medalist David Boudia, Purdue's most decorated athlete. Steele Johnson, Brandon Loschiavo, Casey Matthews and Tyler Downs also won NCAA titles during Soldati's 19 seasons as head coach. Greg Duncan, Mary Beth Dunnichay, Jaye Patrick, Maycey Vieta, Daryn Wright, Johnson, Loschiavo and Downs joined Boudia as Olympians to be part of Soldati's championship environment at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.
Soldati's leadership philosophy was centered around fostering a culture of integrity, work ethic and holistic development. His impact transcended competition, as his faith, humility and unwavering dedication to his athletes have left an indelible mark on Purdue and the broader diving community.
"We are excited to announce Adam as the 2025 recipient of this award. Adam is a coach who has not only produced champions but has mentored young athletes with deep care and respect," said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. "His legacy will be felt for generations to come, and we are all grateful for the foundation he has laid for the future of diving at Purdue and beyond.
"All of the finalists for the National Scholastic and Collegiate Trophy exemplify an incredible commitment to both their athletic and academic endeavors, and we are proud to recognize all three finalists."
Soldati transitioned from head coach to director of diving in June after five Boilermakers qualified for the Olympic Games. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in February 2024 and passed the torch as the leader of the Purdue Divers to Boudia in the spring after informing the students-athletes of the diagnosis on April 1 following the conclusion of the NCAA season. Boudia had come aboard as a full-time assistant coach in July 2021 and Soldati had been grooming his protégé to officially succeed him as head coach.
Soldati decided to step back from his role as head coach to prioritize his health and spend more time with his family – wife Kimiko Hirai Soldati and their six children. Despite the challenges ahead, Soldati remains steadfast in his faith and optimism, expressing deep gratitude for his time with the Boilermakers. Together, the Soldati Family approaches this next chapter with the same resilience and grace that defined the patriarch's coaching career.
With Boudia now fully leading the way in the dive well at the Burke Aquatic Center, Soldati's legacy as a mentor, leader, and innovator will continue to shape the program's future and inspire the Purdue community for years to come.
Soldati was recognized as the national Coach of the Year by the CSCAA five times – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2017. He was also an 11-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, second most in league history behind only Indiana's Jeff Huber, who Soldati (an IU alum) learned from during his years in Bloomington.
Four times, the Boilermakers accounted for three of the eight qualifiers for the championship final of platform diving at the NCAA Championships. The men accomplished the feat in 2011 and 2015 and the women did it in 2021 and 2024.
Soldati was selected among the 100 Greatest Coaches of the last 100 years as part of the CSCAA's centennial celebration during the 2021-22 season.
The CSCAA has previously recognized Purdue Swimming alumni Morgan Burke and Dan Ross with prominent national awards. As the Boilermakers' longtime athletics director, Burke was the CSCAA's Charles McCaffree Award recipient in 2017. Ross retired in the spring of 2023 after 38 seasons as head coach of the Purdue men. He was the CSCAA's Richard E. Steadman Award recipient in 2022.
The College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America considers the National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy to be the highest honor in intercollegiate and interscholastic swimming & diving. The award recognizes individuals who have made the greatest contributions to the sports, both competitively and recreationally.
Soldati was among three finalists this year. Also among the trio was Cyndi Gallagher, the head coach of UCLA women's swimming & diving for 31 years and Tracy Huth, a former head coach and athletics director at Oakland University. Soldati was selected by CSCAA member coaches and is in line to be recognized at the annual CSCAA College Swimming & Diving Awards on May 5 at the organization's annual meetings in Raleigh, N.C.
Soldati joins Dick Papenguth, a member of the Purdue and International Swimming Halls of Fame, as Boilermakers to be recipients of the National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy. Papenguth, the 1965 honoree, served as the coach of Purdue Swimming & Diving from 1939-69 and coached Team USA's women's swimmers at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. The National Collegiate & Scholastic Trophy was first awarded in 1959.
Soldati's remarkable 19-year tenure as Purdue's head diving coach has left an enduring legacy on the program and its athletes. Since joining Purdue in the spring of 2005, Soldati built one of the nation's premier diving programs, producing 14 NCAA titles, countless All-Americans and 22 Big Ten champions. The Boilermakers always excelled academically as well, earning dozens of CSCAA Scholar All-America and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors. His dedication to developing athletes stands as a testament to his excellence in both academics and athletics.
Known for his commitment to creating an environment where athletes could thrive, Soldati's influence extended to four-time Olympic medalist David Boudia, Purdue's most decorated athlete. Steele Johnson, Brandon Loschiavo, Casey Matthews and Tyler Downs also won NCAA titles during Soldati's 19 seasons as head coach. Greg Duncan, Mary Beth Dunnichay, Jaye Patrick, Maycey Vieta, Daryn Wright, Johnson, Loschiavo and Downs joined Boudia as Olympians to be part of Soldati's championship environment at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center.
Soldati's leadership philosophy was centered around fostering a culture of integrity, work ethic and holistic development. His impact transcended competition, as his faith, humility and unwavering dedication to his athletes have left an indelible mark on Purdue and the broader diving community.
"We are excited to announce Adam as the 2025 recipient of this award. Adam is a coach who has not only produced champions but has mentored young athletes with deep care and respect," said Samantha Barany, Executive Director of the CSCAA. "His legacy will be felt for generations to come, and we are all grateful for the foundation he has laid for the future of diving at Purdue and beyond.
"All of the finalists for the National Scholastic and Collegiate Trophy exemplify an incredible commitment to both their athletic and academic endeavors, and we are proud to recognize all three finalists."
Soldati transitioned from head coach to director of diving in June after five Boilermakers qualified for the Olympic Games. He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in February 2024 and passed the torch as the leader of the Purdue Divers to Boudia in the spring after informing the students-athletes of the diagnosis on April 1 following the conclusion of the NCAA season. Boudia had come aboard as a full-time assistant coach in July 2021 and Soldati had been grooming his protégé to officially succeed him as head coach.
Soldati decided to step back from his role as head coach to prioritize his health and spend more time with his family – wife Kimiko Hirai Soldati and their six children. Despite the challenges ahead, Soldati remains steadfast in his faith and optimism, expressing deep gratitude for his time with the Boilermakers. Together, the Soldati Family approaches this next chapter with the same resilience and grace that defined the patriarch's coaching career.
With Boudia now fully leading the way in the dive well at the Burke Aquatic Center, Soldati's legacy as a mentor, leader, and innovator will continue to shape the program's future and inspire the Purdue community for years to come.
Soldati was recognized as the national Coach of the Year by the CSCAA five times – 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015 and 2017. He was also an 11-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, second most in league history behind only Indiana's Jeff Huber, who Soldati (an IU alum) learned from during his years in Bloomington.
Four times, the Boilermakers accounted for three of the eight qualifiers for the championship final of platform diving at the NCAA Championships. The men accomplished the feat in 2011 and 2015 and the women did it in 2021 and 2024.
Soldati was selected among the 100 Greatest Coaches of the last 100 years as part of the CSCAA's centennial celebration during the 2021-22 season.
The CSCAA has previously recognized Purdue Swimming alumni Morgan Burke and Dan Ross with prominent national awards. As the Boilermakers' longtime athletics director, Burke was the CSCAA's Charles McCaffree Award recipient in 2017. Ross retired in the spring of 2023 after 38 seasons as head coach of the Purdue men. He was the CSCAA's Richard E. Steadman Award recipient in 2022.