Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Former Olympian "KZ" Li named as FIU's first intercollegiate diving coach

Kongzheng "KZ" Li

IU’s fledgling women’s swimming program took another major step forward with the announcement that former Olympian Kongzheng “KZ” Li has agreed to come on as the team’s first-ever diving coach.

On making the announcement, head coach Noemi Zaharia said, “KZ has a strong background as a competitor and his coaching accomplishments are outstanding. He is enthusiastic and looks forward to helping build a new intercollegiate diving program at FIU.

“I’ve talked with coaches from around the country and they all agree that we are very lucky to have someone like KZ on staff. I’m pleased that the circumstances worked out where we were able to attract him here,” said Zaharia.

Li comes to FIU after spending the last seven years as a member of the University of Minnesota swimming and diving staff. Li, who was twice named as Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year, helped produce eight All-Americans and three Big Ten Divers of the Year for the Golden Gophers, the most recent of which was Dan Croaston in 2000 and ’01. Croaston earned first-team All-America honors in the 1-meter in 2000 and in the 3-meter and platform in 2001.

Prior to Minnesota, Li spent three years (1993-96) as the head diving coach and chief executive officer for Team Orlando Diving in Orlando, Fla. While there, he coached current Florida State University diving coach Patrick Jeffrey, the five-time NCAA national champion who won a bronze medal at the 1995 Pan-Am games.

In 1994, Li’s Team Orlando won six gold medals and placed second at the United States Age Group Nationals. Then, at the United States Senior Nationals, Team Orlando won the gold medal in men’s platform and the men and women’s combined title.

From 1991-93, Li was the head diving coach for Texas Aquatics at the University of Texas, while also serving as a volunteer coach for the Longhorns’ intercollegiate team. For two years before that (1989-91), he served as the head diving coach at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Li, a graduate of Beijing (China) University with a degree in physical education, earned a bronze medal in platform diving at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and was a four-time Olympic team member for China. A participant in over 50 major international competitions, he was a 25-time gold medalist, 14-time silver medalist and 10-time bronze medalist.

Li will commence his diving coach responsibilities at FIU in July.