Hall of Fame - Western Washington University Vikings -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 3/14/2003
Last Visited: 12/20/2003
The inductees are men's rowing coach Bob Diehl, women's volleyball setter Kim Kolody-Bjorklund, and men's basketball guard Manny Kimmie.
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In his six years as crew mentor, Diehl had varsity eight shells win Northwest small college titles four times, a varsity four place fourth at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship, and two rowers compete in the Olympic Games.
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Bob Diehl
The 64-year-old Diehl coached men's crew at Western from 1970 to 1976.In 1972, he introduced the Viking Invitational Regatta, which included virtually every Northwest rowing program and continued for 13 years.
Diehl was the coach when Western made its first appearance at the prestigious Opening Day Regatta.
He directed varsity eights which won LaFromboise Cup (northwest small college) titles in 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975.Also, in 1973, Diehl's varsity four placed fourth at the IRA national championships.
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Diehl, who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1961 at the University of Washington, rowed for the Huskies from 1958 to 1960 under coach Fil Leanderson.
Bob Diehl (left) with University of Washington Coach Dick Erickson
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Diehl began rowing competitively again in 1992, winning several medals in masters singles, doubles and quads competition.Highlighting those accomplishments were gold medals at the 1993, 1995 and 1997 U.S. National and Canadian National championships.He won a gold and two bronze medals at the 1994 World Master Games in Australia, and took silver and bronze medals at the 1998 World Master Games held in Portland, Ore.
Diehl is the third-generation president of the Diehl Ford Company in Bellingham, which recently celebrated its 95th anniversary and is the third-oldest Ford dealership in the world among 20,000 dealerships in 59 countries.
Currently, he is a member of the Viking Athletic Advisory Board and participates in Western's Coaches Car program.
Diehl and wife Conni live in Bellingham.He has a grown son, Mike, and four grandchildren.
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BOB DIEHL Crew CoachMen's rowing coach at Western from 1970 to 1976