Columbia Diving

Gordon Spencer, in his 23rd year at Columbia, has built the Lions' diving program into one of the most respected in the East, most recently with athletes such as All-American and five-time EISL champion Mark Fichera ’01, and Scott Troob ’04, who earned honorable mention All-America in 2003.

Also the women’s diving coach, Spencer coached Teresa Herrmann ’04 to “Outstanding Diver of the Meet” honors at the 2002 Ivy League Championships, and Grace Coyle ’04 to All-Ivy honors in 2003 and 2004.

Spencer came to Columbia from Kent State University, where he built a diving power in just two years. A native of Canton, Ohio, he was a three-time state finalist at Canton McKinley High School and attended Indiana University, where he competed under the legendary Hobie Billingsley, reaching the national championships. He later coached at Billingsley's diving school.

After his 1977 graduation, Spencer became an assistant diving coach at two Miami high schools. He returned to Kent State in 1981 and earned a master's degree in athletic administration.

While his Columbia divers have been a deciding factor in many a Lion victory, Spencer has also made a name for himself away from Morningside Heights. In 1991 he was named the Junior Olympic Zone A Coach of the Year.

Spencer is very active in the diving scene outside of Columbia. He has served as a judge for the Senior National Diving Championships. He coaches an elite U.S. Diving club comprised of some of the best Junior Olympic divers in the nation. The program consistently produces East Coast champions and national age group finalists on both platform and springboard. Former Lion standout Daniel Brown ’00 dived for Spencer’s famed Morningside Heights club team. This past summer, Spencer coached Linus Altman-Kurosaki to a medal at the Junior Nationals.

Spencer, his wife Bertica, and their 18-year old daughter, Caitlin, reside on Morningside Heights.

Assistant Coach Andy Shyong

Andy Shyong is in his fourth year at Columbia as the assistant diving coach. He is currently attending Columbia School of Dental and Oral Surgery. He graduated from Princeton in the class of 2000 with a bachelor of arts in molecular biology.

Andy has coached for several other diving clubs including Harrington Park Swim Club (summer, 1993-1994), Demarest Swim Club (summer, 1995-1997) and Englewood Field Club (summer, 2000-2001). He was most recently the 2002 USA East/West all-star team coach for the Canadian vs. USA Junior Challenge.

Shyong's own diving accomplishments have included being a 5 time Junior National Championships Qualifier, 7 time Eastern Interscholastic Swim League finalist, 4 time NCAA National Zone qualifier, Academic All-American Honorable Mention in 1996, Academic All-Ivy Team selection in 2000, 2 time Second Team All-Ivy team selection in 2000, and the 2000 co-recipient of the Princeton War Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding swimmer/diver.

Andy's abilities, however, extend beyond the boards where he excelled in swimming as well. He was a YMCA National Qualifier and swam butterfly for Princeton.



	Gordon Spencer, in his 23rd year at Columbia, has built the Lions' diving program into one of the most respected in the East, most recently with athletes such as All-American and five-time EISL champion Mark Fichera ’01, and Scott Troob ’04, who earned honorable mention All-America in 2003. Also the women’s diving coach, Spencer coached Teresa Herrmann ’04 to “Outstanding Diver of the Meet” honors at the 2002 Ivy League Championships, and Grace Coyle ’04 to All-Ivy honors in 2003 and 2004. Spencer came to Columbia from Kent State University, where he built a diving power in just two years. A native of Canton, Ohio, he was a three-time state finalist at Canton McKinley High School and attended Indiana University, where he competed under the legendary Hobie Billingsley, reaching the national championships. He later coached at Billingsley's diving school. After his 1977 graduation, Spencer became an assistant diving coach at two Miami high schools. He returned to Kent State in 1981 and earned a master's degree in athletic administration. While his Columbia divers have been a deciding factor in many a Lion victory, Spencer has also made a name for himself away from Morningside Heights. In 1991 he was named the Junior Olympic Zone A Coach of the Year. Spencer is very active in the diving scene outside of Columbia. He has served as a judge for the Senior National Diving Championships. He coaches an elite U.S. Diving club comprised of some of the best Junior Olympic divers in the nation. The program consistently produces East Coast champions and national age group finalists on both platform and springboard. Former Lion standout Daniel Brown ’00 dived for Spencer’s famed Morningside Heights club team. This past summer, Spencer coached Linus Altman-Kurosaki to a medal at the Junior Nationals. Spencer, his wife Bertica, and their 18-year old daughter, Caitlin, reside on Morningside Heights. Assistant Coach Andy Shyong Andy Shyong is in his fourth year at Columbia as the assistant diving coach. He is currently attending Columbia School of Dental and Oral Surgery. He graduated from Princeton in the class of 2000 with a bachelor of arts in molecular biology. Andy has coached for several other diving clubs including Harrington Park Swim Club (summer, 1993-1994), Demarest Swim Club (summer, 1995-1997) and Englewood Field Club (summer, 2000-2001). He was most recently the 2002 USA East/West all-star team coach for the Canadian vs. USA Junior Challenge. Shyong's own diving accomplishments have included being a 5 time Junior National Championships Qualifier, 7 time Eastern Interscholastic Swim League finalist, 4 time NCAA National Zone qualifier, Academic All-American Honorable Mention in 1996, Academic All-Ivy Team selection in 2000, 2 time Second Team All-Ivy team selection in 2000, and the 2000 co-recipient of the Princeton War Memorial Trophy for the most outstanding swimmer/diver. Andy's abilities, however, extend beyond the boards where he excelled in swimming as well. He was a YMCA National Qualifier and swam butterfly for Princeton.