The recently dedicated Rick Moss Aquatic Center at the Moultrie YMCA.

MOULTRIE — The Moultrie YMCA is rightly proud of the 171 national championships its divers have won since 1977.

And on Tuesday, the YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt, named its aquatic center in honor of Moss Farms Diving’s Rick Moss, who has helped guide Colquitt County’s rich diving heritage since the 1993 death of his father, the legendary coach Moose Moss.

For many years, Moss Farms coaches have used the YMCA’s facilities to help train their young athletes, many of whom went on to win state, national and international championships.

Although the Moss Farms program had its beginnings in the pool on the Poplar Arbor farm, it grew when Moose was able to train his divers at the YMCA pool before the Moose Moss Aquatic Center opened in 1993.

“When Moose left the farm, we needed an indoor facility and the Y stepped up,” Rick said. “And now, look at what we have. Without the Y stepping up, we wouldn’t have the Moose Moss Aquatic Center.

“We have enjoyed our partnership with the Y.”

The YMCA facility is ideal in part, Rick said, because it has a 3-meter belt that many young divers use to learn their first dives.

“And we can be here when it’s cold,” he said. “It’s nice to be able to coach inside.”

In the hall just outside the pool area are three large boards listing the divers who have won 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard and platform national championships representing the Moultrie YMCA.

The first was Drew Gunnels, who claimed 1-meter and 3-meter national YMCA titles in 1977 and 1978.

She also won USA Diving and world age-group championships and competed at the University of Alabama from 1981-1983.

“Without the YMCA, that would not have been possible,” Rick said, motioning to the board. “She would not have been there.”

The boards list 63 1-meter, 71 3-meter and 37 platform championships won by divers representing the Moultrie YMCA.

“As I look at those boards, I know there are YMCAs who would like just one championship,” YMCA of the Georgia Sunbelt CEO Rich Gallagher told the group gathered to celebrate the naming of the facility.

A number of former and current divers attended, as did Moss Farms Diving coaches Tom Gimm and Parker Hardigree.

Rick, who has been a member of the Moultrie YMCA since 1964, credited the parents and coaches of the athletes for the program’s success.

“They have worked thousands of hours to put those athletes on the wall,” he said. “And I’m sure there are more to come.”

In fact, divers will get a chance to add to the Y’s enviable total when the 2024 YMCA National Championships are held May 9-12 at the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Aquatic Complex.