The aquatic sports community in the greater Philadelphia area is mourning the loss of Thomas “Tom” Henninger, a former NCAA Division I collegiate diver, High School All-American, and dedicated Diving Coach at Germantown Academy, who passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. He was 37 years old.
A resident of Philadelphia and native of Glenside, Pennsylvania, Tom was a celebrated figure in Pennsylvania diving, leaving behind an indelible mark as both an elite athlete and a transformative mentor to young divers.
| Full Name | Thomas Henninger |
| Date of Birth | December 8, 1988 |
| Date of Passing | July 22, 2026 |
| Hometown / Residence | Glenside, PA / Philadelphia, PA |
| Alma Mater |
Germantown Academy (Class of 2007) University of California, Berkeley |
| Coaching Roles |
Diving Coach, Germantown Academy (Fort Washington, PA) Guest Coach, STAR Diving Camp (Bermuda) |
| Parents | Tom and Melinda Henninger |
Early Life and High School Athletic Brilliance
Born and raised in Glenside, Pennsylvania, Tom attended Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, where he established himself as one of the most decorated high school divers in the school’s history:
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Three-Time High School All-American: Recognized nationally for his exceptional precision and consistency on the springboard.
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Three-Time Eastern Champion: Captured the Eastern Interscholastic Diving Championship title three consecutive years from 2005 through 2007.
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Team Titles & School Records: Played an instrumental role in leading Germantown Academy to back-to-back Eastern Interscholastic team titles in 2005 and 2006. He set long-standing Germantown Academy 1-meter diving records (360 points for 6 dives; 560 points for 11 dives).
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National Qualification: Advanced to the Junior Olympic National Championships in both 2006 and 2007.
Collegiate Career at UC Berkeley
Following his high school accomplishments, Tom competed at the highest collegiate level for the University of California, Berkeley (Cal Golden Bears) swimming and diving program:
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Represented Cal at the Pac-10 Championships, placing 6th on the 1-meter springboard in 2008.
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Competed in the NCAA Zone E Championships, achieving top-12 finishes across the 1-meter springboard, 3-meter springboard, and platform events.
Return to GA: Building the Next Generation of Divers
After his competitive athletic career, Tom returned to his roots at Germantown Academy (GA) as the head Diving Coach for the boys and girls varsity teams. He brought a grassroots, encouraging approach to coaching, focused on expanding youth participation and instilling confidence in young athletes.
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International Coaching Outreach: In July 2018, Tom was invited to Bermuda to assist Athenian Olympian Katura Horton-Perinchief at the STAR Diving Camp at the Bermuda National Training Centre, helping introduce competitive diving to new athletes on the island.
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Coaching Philosophy: Tom actively worked to build GA’s diving program from the ground up, bringing energy, technical expertise, and genuine enthusiasm to developing divers of all skill levels.
Legacy and Community Impact
Tom Henninger is remembered by teammates, students, fellow coaches, and friends as a passionate athlete, a skilled instructor, and a supportive leader who dedicated his life to the sport he loved.
He is survived by his parents, Tom and Melinda Henninger, his extended family, and the generations of student-athletes he mentored at Germantown Academy and beyond.