CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Longtime Clarion University Swim Coach Bill Miller and Diving Coach Don Leas were recently inducted into the Pennsylvania Aquatic Hall of Fame during a ceremony at Bucknell University held during the PIAA Swimming Championships.

Miller was also swimming coach at Seneca Valley High School and Norwin High School. Complete story at the Cranberry Eagle.

Established by the Pennsylvania State University in 1968, the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame recognizes those Pennsylvanians who have exhibited extraordinary service and achievement through aquatics.  The Hall of Fame is located in the upper lobby of the McCoy Natatorium Building on the University Park Campus.  It includes a large plaque with appropriate inscription, nameplates, framed pictures of elected members, and a brief summary of their accomplishments.  This year  on Saturday, March 14, 2015, Donald Leas, William Miller, Eric Namesnik and Tim O’Connor were inducted into the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame prior to the start of the PIAA-AA Girls’ Swimming Finals at Bucknell University.

William Miller

Bill Miller, a 1959 graduate of Butler High School, graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1964. Prior to becoming Clarion’s head coach, Miller coached at Seneca Valley (where his teams won four section and one WPIAL titles) and Norwin high schools.

From 1979-2000 Miller coached the Clarion University men’s team for 22 seasons and the Golden Eagles women’s team for 13 seasons before retiring in 2000. His teams won 80 percent of their dual meets (244 wins in 302 meets), 28 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference team championships, and 23 top-five finishes in the NCAA Division II national meet.  Clarion’s men’s teams had a 154-38 dual-meet record, won 16 PSAC titles, and garnered 12 top-five national finishes under Miller’s guidance. The Golden Eagles won 11 straight PSAC titles from 1970 to 1989 and were national runners-up in 1992.  Miller led the Clarion women to a 90-20 dual-meet record, 12 PSAC titles, and 11 top-five national finishes, highlighted by a national runner-up honor in 1993. 

In recognition of his coaching prowess, Miller was named as the PSAC “Coach of the Year” a total of 13 times (seven women’s, six men’s). He was also selected as the NCAA Division II men’s “Coach of the Year” in 1992, the same year in which he received the Steadman Award from the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in recognition of his contribution to the sport of swimming nationally. In 2005, he was inducted into the Clarion University Hall of Fame. 

Miller is a former member of the NCAA Swimming Rules Committee, as well as chair for NCAA Division II Swimming (1981-85), CSCAA board member and Officials Coordinator for the Division I National Championships.

Donald Leas
Don Leas started high school diving in 1953, and he has been inseparable to the sport ever since.

He competed for Michigan State in NCAA competition in both diving and gymnastics (Big 10 Champion on Flying Rings). Most of his years coaching diving were at Clarion University of Pennsylvania (1966 –1990) developing 36 National Champions. But his contribution to the sport goes far beyond his athleticism and coaching. Don has participated in a variety of roles regarding USA Diving; he has been the Chairman for almost every committee including rules, certification, safety and membership. He has been the technical and administrative liaison to numerous organizations and events including the FINA World Trials, Goodwill Games, FINA World Cup, U.S. Olympic Festival, NCAA, AAU, and the USOC.

He has been an advisor and referee to over 10 international events.  Most notably, at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he served as the diving coordinator. In addition, Don has consulted with many diving videos for the Athlete Institute and been involved with the writing of the Rules and Regulations regarding Competitive and Technical Diving. He has been author or editor to over 12 book publications on diving and diving rules.

Don has been the recipient of many awards and distinctions, including being named NCAA Diving Coach of the 1980s and in 1984 NCAA Swimming Coach of the Year.  In 1997, he was inducted into Clarion University Hall of Fame, while in 1999 Don was the Paragon Award Winner according to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.  Most impressively, in 2012 Don was the recipient of the Duraflex International Diving Award, which is presented to recognize outstanding international contributions to the sport of diving.

Don is a unique contributor to aquatics and has devoted a lifetime of service to advancing and improving the sport he loves.