Men's Swimming & Diving | 3/27/2020 4:08:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- The ESPN E:60 feature "Cliff Diving" about RIT diving coach Cliff Devries was recently nominated for a Sports Emmy Award by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 

The story depicting Devries' annual birthday dive off the 3-meter springboard at RIT's Judson Pool is one of five features in consideration for "Outstanding Long Feature." Devries is paralyzed on the right side of his body after having a six-inch long brain tumor removed from the base of his brain stem 24 years ago.

Nominations for the 41st-annual celebration were announced in 42 categories. The ceremony was originally scheduled for April 28th at the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall, but was postponed until later this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devries recently completed his 17th season as the diving coach at RIT. In that time, he has coached eight All-Americans. In 2018, Devries was awarded the prestigious Richard E. Steadman Award by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America. He became the first diving coach to win the award, given annually to a swimming or diving coach in high school, club, or university ranks who, "in the opinion of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. the CSCAA Forum, and the CSCAA, has done the most to spread happiness in Coach Steadman's beloved sport of swimming and diving."