Leslie Hasselbach Adams To Be Promoted To High Performance Director

Leslie Hasselbach Adams will be promoted to High Performance Director when Dan Laak retires at the end of August, USA Diving has announced. Hasselbach Adams has served as High Performance Manager since August 2018.

“I am confident that Leslie will continue to build on the success of the last four years. She was instrumental as we navigated the challenges of COVID and a postponed Olympic Games.  She has built relationships with our divers and the diving community around the world. Her knowledge, demeanor and conviction make her the right choice for this role. As we look to 2024 and beyond, I am thrilled to have Leslie leading the High Performance team,” said USA Diving President Lee Michaud.

Adams joined the USA Diving staff alongside Laak in 2018. In her role as High Performance Manager, she has assisted in developing, presenting and implementing all sections of the high performance plan. She served as team manager at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. She also has overseen various aspects of the high diving, junior diving and education programs. She spent 18 years as head diving coach at Clemson University, where she earned a master’s degree in student affairs administration and counseling education. She recently completed a graduate certificate in organizational leadership from Anderson University in South Carolina. She also graduated from the Summer 2013 NCAA Women’s Coaches Academy after receiving a full scholarship to attend.

“I’m thrilled to begin my duties as USA Diving’s new High Performance Director. USA Diving develops world-class divers, and I couldn’t be happier about continuing to help America’s best prepare to compete at the highest level,” Hasselbach Adams said. “My thanks to Lee and the Board of Directors for having confidence in my ability to lead this vital component of our organization. None of this would be possible for me without Dan’s guidance and friendship. I could not ask for a better mentor, and I know that I’m well-prepared because of the time he invested in my development.”

Laak has been working with Hasselbach Adams to facilitate the transition.

“I’m very proud of what Leslie and I have accomplished over the past four years. I could not have chosen a better person to work with, and I’m excited for her as she takes over as High Performance Director,” Laak said. “Leslie has been a key asset in USA Diving’s success, and we are very lucky to have her in the organization.  I will be cheering for her as she aims to take USA Diving to even greater heights in 2024 and beyond.”