Affiliated with the Ron O'Brien Diving School she received a gold medal at the 1975 Pan American Games in Mexico City, and a bronze medal at the 1978 World Aquatics Championships in Berlin.

Chandler started diving when she was nine. when she was 12 she went to the junior Olympics. in 1975 she won the AAU national indoor 1-meter springboard event. She was also the springboard gold medalist at the pan American games. in 1976 she won the national indoor 3-meter springboard championship. She retired when she was 21 due to back injuries. She then did commentary on diving.

Chandler is currently the educational outreach director for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. She had previously been inducted into the hall in 1985.