West Chester University’s legendary diving coach, Dr. Ronn Jenkins, has announced his retirement after having spent 49 years at the helm.

The longest-tenured coach at WCU, Dr. Jenkins’s reputation in the diving community grew exponentially throughout his coaching career, which began in 1972, to the point where he was appointed the coordinator of diving officials at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. He served in the same capacity for the World Games one year earlier in Atlanta.

Dr. Jenkins has also served as chairperson of the U.S. Diving Committee on Diversity from 1991-94 and was a member of the NCAA Swimming & Diving Committee from 1995-99. He was also the 1995 NCAA Division II Women’s Diving Coach of the Year.

“I want to thank Ronn for the many contributions he has made to our diving program and our department as a whole,” said Terry Beattie, WCU’s Director of Athletics. “His commitment to excellence set him apart, and his legacy will continue to inspire student-athletes for years to come. I wish Ronn much health and happiness.”

A native of York, Jenkins graduated from WCU in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Kinesiology. He continued his education at Bucknell University, where he received a master’s degree in Counselor Education. He completed his education with a doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

“We all knew this day would come at some point,” said Dr. Edward Matejkovic, WCU’s Director of Athletics from 1995-2017. “This will leave a void not only for the WCU divers, but all the young kids in Chester County and the surrounding area who have aspirations to be divers competitively. Ronn is a master coach and a great motivator, along with being an outstanding person who had genuine concern for everyone.

“Many may not know his accomplishments of being an Olympic judge and an international leader among his coaching peers and all the students he touched as a professor and advisor. Everyone at West Chester University should be honored to have had Dr. Jenkins for all these years. What a treasure.”