The Clarion University Department of Athletics is saddened by the passing of Don Leas, longtime men's and women's diving coach and a 1997 inductee into the Clarion Sports Hall of Fame.  He passed away on April 25 at the age of 84 years old. 
 
The architect of Clarion's nationally recognized men's and women's diving programs, Leas had a 24-year career that was unequaled by any coach in the nation from 1966-90. His divers won 36 individual national championships and posted 234 All-America placings. Named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in 1984 (swimming & diving), he was also twice selected as NCAA Division II Men's Diving Coach of the Year in 1988-89. Instrumental in Clarion's overall swimming team success, he helped the men's team win 19 straight PSAC titles (1971-89), and the women's team capture 15 PSAC crowns and eight Division II National Championships between 1977-86.  Leas was named to the NCAA's "Team of the Decade" coaching staff in 1991 as part of the NCAA's celebration of its 10th year offering women's championships. In 1997 he was inducted into the Clarion University Sports Hall of Fame, and in 1999 was the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Paragon Award Winner.  Most impressively, in 2012 Leas was the recipient of the Duraflex International Diving Award, which is presented to recognize outstanding international contributions to the sport of diving.
 
In USA Diving Leas served as the Chairman for almost every committee including rules, certification, safety and membership. He was the technical and administrative liaison to numerous organizations and events including the FINA World Trials, Goodwill Games, FINA World Cup, U.S. Olympic Festival, NCAA, AAU, and the USOC.
 
Leas was also an advisor and referee to over 10 international events.  Most notably, at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he served as the diving coordinator.  He consulted on many diving videos for the Athlete Institute and been involved with the writing of the Rules and Regulations regarding Competitive and Technical Diving. Leas was the author or editor to over 12 book publications on diving and diving rules.
 
A native of Philadelphia, Pa., a 1953 graduate of Northeast High and a 1957 graduate of Michigan State University, Don was an accomplished gymnast and diver. He came to Clarion from St. Cloud State in 1966.
 
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion where visitation will be held on Friday, May 3 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 10-11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 600 Wood Street in Clarion. Funeral services will follow at the Church at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Kevin Haley officiating.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 600 Wood Street, Clarion PA 16214 (www.fumc-clarion.org).