Miami Diving

DARIO DI FAZIO Program Director Head Coach

Dario Di Fazio brings a wealth of diving experience and history to Miami as he, along with head coach Randy Ableman, lead one of the nation's most prestigious diving programs.  He is the Head Diving Coach of the Beginner, Development, Junior Olympic programs. He also will assist coach Randy Ableman in developing the University Of Miami talented senior diving unit.

Since coming to Miami in 1996, on the collegiate level, a total of 10 Hurricane divers have gone on to win 14 national titles and has helped develop 7 Olympians . At a Club level, many athletes in the Miami Diving team, have attained a full or partial scholarship at major Universities. From 1999-2002, 2010 , 2015-2018 he has been the USA Nationals coach representing the USA in many international meets. He co-coached Sam Dorman for a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeir, Barazil.

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As a diver, Di Fazio's resume is highlighted by appearances in the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and the Centennial Olympic Games of 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia as a member of the Venezuelan Olympic Diving Team--registering top-25 finishes at both.

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Di Fazio was also a 32-time Venezuelan National Champion as well as a seven-time South American Champion and a member of the 1995 Venezuelan Pan American team. In 1994 placed 16th at the World Championships in Rome, Italy. In 1989 he moved to the U.S. to train and practice under the supervision of current UM head coach Randy Ableman before going on to dive at Oakland University on the collegiate level.

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At Oakland, Di Fazio was a three-time NCAA Division II champion from 1993-95 and was named the NCAA Division II Diver of the Year in 1994.

The native of Venezuela earned his Bachelor's Degree in Management Information systems from Oakland (Mich.) in 1995 and an Associate's Degree in Computer Science from Miami-Dade Community College in 1992.

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Di Fazio is married to the former Gigi Goebel and has two children Mia and Adrian.

Sheila Marquez Assistant Coach (Summer Camp Director)

With more than 10 years of experience, Sheila is in charge of the Learn to Dive program, Future Champions and Summer Camp programs. She has helped develop many divers to move onto the Future Champion and Junior Olympic programs. During the summer she is the camp director. Her approach to teaching diving is unique based on positive reinforcement.  Everyone loves coach Sheila.

Wallace Layland Assistant Coach

Wally coaches the Future Champion program along with coach Sheila. She also assists coach Dario with the Junior Olympic program.

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As a diver:

2016 HONORABLE MENTION ALL-AMERICA (3-meter)

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Sophomore (2015-16)...
Earned Honorable Mention All-America recognition after finishing 11th in 3-meter (329.20) at NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Atlanta...Also competed in platform (240.15, 20th place) and  1-meter (252.30, 39th place) at NCAA Championships...Named ACC Most Valuable Female Diver of 2016 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships in Greensboro, N.C....Earned ACC silver medals in both 1-meter (318.65) and platform (300.80)...Qualified for finals in 3-meter at ACCs and finished seventh (320.50)...Finished fourth in 1-meter (282.85) and third in 3-meter (291.50) in dual meet with FIU (Jan. 30)...Took fourth in 3-meter (287.75) in tri-meet with Kansas and Rutgers (Jan. 9)...Earned top finish in dual meet with Princeton (Nov. 6) in 3-meter (326.18)...Finished second in 3-meter (326.10) in tri-meet with Texas A&M and Incarnate Word (Oct. 30)...Top finisher in platform and 3-meter (328.80) in Dual-A-Palooza hosted by FIU (Oct. 17).

True Freshman (2014-15)...
Delivered strong freshman season, earning trip to 2015 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships…Named CSCAA Academic All-American…Compiled score of 261.10 in 1-meter event and 268.86 in 3-meter at NCAA Championships in Greensboro, N.C…Earned fourth place finish in platform event (279.55) at 2015 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships in Atlanta…Finished No. 10 in 3-meter (286.95) and No. 14 in 1-meter (267.20) at ACC Championships…Took second in 3-meter (318.95) and fourth in 1-meter (285.10)in quad-meet with UNC-Wilmington, Georgia Tech and host Virginia Tech (Jan. 24)…Finished second in 3-meter (300.60) in tri-meet with Rutgers and Tulane (Jan. 10)…Swept 1-meter (289.35) and 3-meter (314.85) in dual meet victory over Illinois State (Nov. 7).