Rich MacDonald
	Position: Diving Coach Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1997

Rich MacDonald begins his ninth year as the first full-time diving coach at East Carolina.

During his time with the Pirates, MacDonald has taken the diving program to the next level. Athletes recruited and coached by MacDonald own all but one of the Pirates' varsity diving records. At least one ECU diver has qualified for the NCAA Regional meet in seven of his eight years, five athletes in all. MacDonald had finalist on both springboards in 2007 and 2008 at the highly competitive NCAA Regional meet. This was the first time in school history. He has coached multiple Conference USA Freshman Divers-of-the-Year for both the men and women's team. MacDonald has coached seven C-USA finalist on the men's side and four and the women's side. Five of those divers finished with medals.

Before ECU, MacDonald coached at University Rhode Island from 1997- 2000. During his time with the Rams, he coached two Atlantic 10 conference champions, three NCAA Regional qualifiers and started a club team. MacDonald was also a volunteer assistant with L'Air Bergere diving team in Philadelphia for three summers. In 2000 the L'Air Bergere team was the Junior Olympic Summer National Champions.

MacDonald also started an age group team based in Greenville - the Emerald City Dive Club. He has had four North Carolina state finalist. In 2007 MacDonald coached his first North Carolina state champion. A native of Fort Washington, Pa., he attended Upper Dublin High School where he was a member of the 1993 state championship team. He also coached the Fort Washington swimming and diving team from 1992- 98. The Sharks were league champions four times during his seven years.

MacDonald earned his bachelor's degree from University of Rhode Island in 1997 double majoring in exercise science and education. He is also a member of the NCAA Swimming & Diving Rules Committee through 2010.