15 Facts About Hobie Billingsley

Hobie Billingsley was born to James and Wenonah Hobie Billingsley in Erie, Pennsylvania, on December 2,1926.

Hobie Billingsley taught himself how to dive by analyzing wallcharts at his local YMCA.

Hobie Billingsley attended Ohio State University, where he won the NCAA one-and three-meter titles during his freshman year in 1945.

Hobie Billingsley subsequently undertook postgraduate studies at the University of Washington and obtained a master's degree.

Hobie Billingsley first worked as a high school teacher and coach.

Hobie Billingsley was the swimming and diving coach at Allen Park High School in Wayne County, Michigan from 1955 to 1957, where he built a swimming program that led to the Michigan High School Boys State Championship.

Hobie Billingsley was recruited by James Counsilman, the head swimming coach at Indiana University who created the new position of diving coach for Billingsley.

Hobie Billingsley served as the Indiana Hoosiers's diving coach from 1959 to 1989, leading the Hoosiers to six NCAA and 23 Big Ten team championships.

Hobie Billingsley later established the World Diving Coaches Association in 1968 and the American Coaches Diving Association two years later.

Hobie Billingsley was regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of diving.

Hobie Billingsley married Mary Drake in 1952, whom he met in college.

Hobie Billingsley was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in July 2018 and hospitalized.

Hobie Billingsley died on July 16,2022, in Bloomington, at age 95.

Hobie Billingsley was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1989.

Hobie Billingsley was given the Sammy Lee Award, the most esteemed award in diving, in 1994.