Mark Dusbabek

Diving Coach

2009 MIAC Men's Diving Co-Coach of the Year

Mark Dusbabek joined the Tommie coaching staff for 2008-09 season and brings 17 years of experience in diving as a competitor and coach. He competed one season as a college freshman with the Wisconsin Badgers and later graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota. He has coached the last four seasons at Wayzata High and also has also coached at Osseo, Forest Lake and Centennial high schools.

"Mark is one of those rare coaches who is a true teacher first, and also has the technical chops to take any motivated diver beyond what they think they can do," said UST coach Tom Hodgson. "We are very excited to have Mark guiding our diving program.  He is one of the most successful and respected coaches in Minnesota."

"For me, the sport of diving is more than somersaults and twists, its more than personal achievement, and it’s certainly more than the opinion of the judges," Dusbabek said. "Sport in general challenges the athlete physically and spiritually, it shapes our character, and teaches the athlete life skills which will serve them well in their families and career. One of the most profound skills I have gained from the sport is the ability to face life’s challenges with grace and poise and to pick myself up and learn from failure."

Dusbabek's first season with St. Thomas was beyond successful.  Kasya Mestnik improved to All-Conference status on 1m, and Jeremy Andersen placed high on both boards.  Brand new diver Neal Nelson improved so quickly that he went from no diving experience to the championship finals on both boards in the space of one season.  Based upon the remarkable improvement of Neal and Jeremy, Mark was named MIAC Men's Diving coach of the Year.