Clarence Pinkston
Clarence Elmer "Bud" Pinkston was an American diver. Born in Wichita, Kansas, he attended San Diego High where he won a Gymnastics title at age 15. He is the first San Diegan to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Pinkston attended college at Oregon State University and Stanford University. Pinkston won a gold medal in 10 metre platform diving and a silver medal in 3 metre springboard diving at the 1920 Summer Olympics; he won two bronze medals in the same two events at the 1924 Summer Olympics. Pinkston met Elizabeth "Betty" Becker at the 1924 Games; they later married, and Pinkston became her coach.
Both were supporters of the swimming and diving program at the Detroit [Athletic Club]. Pinkston served as aquatics director for the D.A.C. from 1927 until 1956. He continued as a coach for the club until he died in 1961. Several national champions and Olympic medalists trained under Pinkston's tutelage; Richard Degener, Jeanne Stunyo and Barbara Sue Gilders - all were sponsored by the Detroit Athletic Club.