Billy Ray Schmidt was a diver for the University of Georgia’s Swimming & Diving Team from 1962-1966. Schmidt’s diving career began in Albany, Georgia in 1959. During his collegiate career, Schmidt won the SEC 3-meter diving championship three times and the 1-meter championship twice. Schmidt began coaching in 1964 for his hometown team in Albany. From 1968 to 1970, Schmidt coached swimming for the U.S. Army at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Most of his coaching career was spent as the diving coach at Westminster Schools in Atlanta from 1970 until 1992. While at Westminster, Schmidt coached 31 high school All-American athletes and coached two USA Diving National champions. He also served as the president and head coach of the Atlanta Diving Association. Schmidt was inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Billy Ray Schmidt passed away in 2006.

Career Highlights

• 5 SEC Championship diving titles
• Coached 31 high school All-Americans
• Coached two USA Diving National Champions