James William Dietz

Jim Dietz had one of the longest and most distinguished careers of any American rower, competing internationally for the United States from 1967-83. A sculler, Dietz competed at the Pan American Games in 1967, 1975, 1979, and 1983, winning gold in doubles in 1967, silvers in singles in 1975 and doubles in 1983, and a bronze in 1979 single sculls.

Dietz also competed at the World Championships in 1970, 1974-75, and 1979, but never was able to mount the podium. In addition to his two Olympic appearances, Dietz made the 1980 Olympic team which was not allowed to compete in Moskva. He was World Junior Champion in single sculls in 1967. Dietz won 45 US titles and 37 Canadian championships.

Dietz attended Northeastern University, graduating in 1972, and later became a renowned crew coach at the University of Massachusetts, starting there in 1995. He was head coach at the Coast Guard Academy from 1985-94. Dietz led the Minutewomen to 15 Atlantic 10 team titles (through 2015) and was Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year nine times (through 2015).