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Former diving coach Adams visits Keene State
KEENE, N.H. 1/13/11 – The Keene State women's diving team had an unexpected visitor at their meet against Plymouth State University on Tuesday afternoon.
Doug Adams, who coached the team for three years (1982-85), made the one-hour trip from his home in Hollis to attend the meet. It was the first time the Nashua native had set foot on the Spaulding pool deck in more than 26 years. "It was interesting trying to find my way into the gym," said Adams. "Things have changed since I was last here."
Once inside, Adams felt more at home. Except for the color of the three-meter diving board stand, Adams said the pool area appeared to be the same. "Not too many changes," he said. "Still spic and span."
What has changed over the years is a long list of divers that have taken the plunge at the pool. Adams had the fortune to coach the greatest Owl diver to bounce from the board – Diana Robbins. A four-time national championship qualifier, Robbins, who will be inducted into the Keene State Hall of Fame on Feb. 5., still holds the school record (239.35 points) in the three-meter event. "Once Diana set her mind to do it, she could do anything," said Adams. "She was a gifted athlete."
Adams began swimming and diving at the local Nashua YMCA. "It's not like today," he said. "Back then the diving board was made out of wood."
Over the years, Adams stayed in touch with the sport and later helped coach a youth diving program at the Nashua YMCA. When his YMCA divers went to nationals, Doug would pack everyone into his long stretch van. "We would stack the kids like cordwood into the back and drive all night," he said.
He went on to become chairman of New England AAU, which evolved into the Competitive Diving Committee – the forerunner of U.S. Diving. As chairman, he knew all the college coaches around New England, including Steve Cone from Keene State.
"Steve called me. He was looking for a diving coach and asked if I knew of anyone who might be available," said Adams.
Timing is paramount to a good dive, and in Adams's case to finding an unexpected position. "Ironically, I had just shut down my program at the Y pool, so I took the job," said Adams, whose wife Deirdre earned a master's degree from Keene State in 1990.
Like many coaches during that time, Adams didn't rely on his diving gigs for his livelihood. He worked for Bronze Craft Corp., a company that produces parts for industry, where he could use his mechanical engineering degree from Wentworth Institute. But he always found time to pursue his passion for the sport.
In order to moonlight as the KSC diving coach, Adams was punctual – leaving his job in Nashua promptly at 5 p.m. "My guys all knew that during diving season you don't get in the doorway at 5 p.m., because you'll have footprints up and down your back as I knock you down going out the door," he said.
Back then, diving practices at Keene State ran from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On the way home, Adams would swing through MacDonald's. "They would have a double-hamburger, fries, and Coke waiting for me," he said. "I did that five nights a week. Our meets were on Saturdays."
At KSC, Adams coached both men's and women's diving teams. One of his male divers was Colin McKaig. According to Adams, Colin stood five-foot, 10 inches, weighed 170 lbs., and had six-pack abs. "It was hysterical during practice," said Adams. "The women would pack the upstairs portion of the gym to look at him during three-meter."
But Robbins was Adams's main protégé. The two hit it off. "Doug reminded me of my high school coach," said Robbins. "He'd take you under your wing and work with you."
Under Adams's tutelage, Robbins became a top-tier diver. When she qualified for the nationals in California in 1983, Adams arranged for a West Coast business trip so he could coach her at the championship meet. "I told her not to worry about being an All-American, but just to do her best," said Adams. "If she did that, I'd take her to Disneyland." Following the competition, Adams kept his word. "That was an interesting company expense report," he said.
Last Tuesday, with Adams watching, Keene State divers won both one- and three-meter events against PSU. Keene State swim coach Jack Fabian and divers Rachel Battis, Amber Beam, and Josh Tuller said they enjoyed meeting Coach Adams.
"It was really nice to meet him," said Beam. "He gave me some advice after a few of my dives."
"As a senior, I've been looking up at the record board for four years and seeing the name Diana Robbins," said Battis. "It was nice to meet the person who coached her."
"He still has a wealth of information to share with us," said Fabian about Adams. It gives our team a sense of tradition and makes them excited to be a part of swimming and diving history at Keene State."
