1998 Hall of Fame Inductee

KARLA HELDER - Suisun, CA
Diving - 1979, 1980, 1981

Karla Helder was an outstanding diver and coach for the Chico Women's Swimming and Diving Team. She competed as an athlete from 1979 to 1982 and was involved in our program as the Men's and Women's Diving coach until it was cut in 1991. More importantly, Karla has accomplished more as an athlete and professional coach than any other swimmer/diver in Chico State history.

Karla came to Chico as a 20-year-old untrained athlete who was anticipating diving under the direction of Lani Loken-Dahle. She worked hard and placed sixth in her initial conference championships. In the next two seasons (79-80 and 80-81) Karla continued to work hard and became a tough competitor. She achieved conference championships on both one and three meters and was named conference Diver of the Year both seasons. In her second season she qualified for nationals and placed sixth on both boards at AIAW's also earning her All-American status. In her junior year she placed first on three meter, second on one meter, and earned her first AIAW National title. With the opportunity to train under a world class coach, she transferred to CSU, Northridge for her senior year. She went undefeated in the three meter event and was a NCAA National Champion as well as securing second place on one meter. Though at CSUN, she had the complete support of Chico swimmers and divers as we watched one of our own repeat as a national champion from our program.

Karla immediately returned to Chico, graduated and became involved in the Senior Elite level and eventually became the head coach for the University. She was repeatedly voted Diving Coach of the Year in our conference and in 1990 she was voted NCAA Coach of the Year. That year Chico had three National Champions: Laura Tilly on one meter, Jeff Kunselman on one and three meters, as well as the other men and women that placed well throughout the next year. Just recently, as the coach for UC Davis, she was again voted the NCAA Diving Coach of the Year, with yet another national champion.

As expected, Karla is very involved in the business of competitive diving. She was invited to Venezuela to begin a program from scratch and eventually Karla's Club created a job for a diving coach and produced a national champion. She is currently the president of the Nor Cal Association of US Diving and the Regional Technical Director for Northern California. She continues to compete as a master's diver and has set several national records, one American World record and holds five national titles. She is simply amazing!

Karla has clearly contributed to the success of Chico State Swimming and Diving both as an athlete and coach. She continues to bring the highest level of distinction to herself and our University.