Sept. 10, 2013
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State swimming and diving program announced the hiring of diving coach Dennis Ceppa on Tuesday. Ceppa joins new head coach Tim Murphy's staff after serving as the diving coach at George Mason University for four seasons.
"Dennis Ceppa has a proven track record," said head coach Tim Murphy. "His divers perform at the highest level in the sport. Most recently one of his divers competed at the World Championships."
Ceppa comes to Penn State with much success as a head diving coach. During his tenure at George Mason, Ceppa earned Colonial Athletic Association Diving Coach of the Year honors twice in just four seasons. The Patriots captured four conference titles and had two divers earn the CAA Diver of the Year award. In 2012, Ceppa guided diver Derrick Butts to qualify for the NCAA Championships, becoming the first male diver in George Mason history to reach nationals. The coach is thrilled about the opportunity to join the Penn State program.
"I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity of being with Tim during his inaugural season here at Penn State, said Dennis Ceppa. "I cannot wait to get started and help our athletes make Penn State swimming and diving stronger than it has ever been."
Prior to his time with the Patriots, Ceppa enjoyed an impressive eight year stint at Rider University, where he claimed five Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and two East Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year awards. Similar to his time at George Mason, Rider produced its first diving NCAA national qualifiers from the men's and women's squads.
Going along with the achievements in the college ranks, Ceppa's pupils have thrived on the national level. Amanda Burke, a current USA National Team member, 2012 Olympic Trials finalist and 2013 World Championship team finalist, trains under Ceppa at the Mason Dive Academy, where the coach serves as the program director.
Ceppa graduated from the College of New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in technology education in 2003.