FLAGSTAFF, Arizona. -Â Associate Head Coach and Head Diving Coach Nikki Kelsey has been honored with the 2025 Hobie Billingsley Award for Exceptional Communication and Relationship Building.
Named for the legendary Indiana University diving coach, the Hobie Billingsley Award recognizes coaches who demonstrate outstanding communication, mentorship, and positive relationship building within the diving community. The award pays tribute to Billingsley's lifelong dedication to helping develop and mentor other coaches.
To be considered for this national honor, recipients must be members in good standing of the U.S. Professional Diving Coaches Association (PDCA), have served the sport of diving for at least ten years, and have shown a consistent commitment to collaboration, leadership, and mentorship.
Reflecting on the recognition, Coach Kelsey shared:
"I was very surprised. Hobie Billingsley is a very dear person in my heart. There are a lot of legendary coaches out there and he is one of them. The fact that people thought I should receive this award and that I am giving back to the diving community like he did really makes me feel honored, grateful and a little bit in awe. I am very excited about that award."
Coach Kelsey joins an accomplished group of past honorees, including Adam Soldati (2024) and Andy Serie (2023), whose work continues to shape the next generation of diving coaches and athletes.
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