The most decorated gymnast in University of California history, Tim McNeill, will rejoin the Golden Bear program as its men’s gymnastics coach …
McNeill, who graduated from Cal in 2008 as a five-time NCAA champion, spent the 2009 season as a graduate intern with the Bears before training full-time with the U.S. National team this past year. …
“Being the head coach at Cal is absolutely my dream job,” McNeill said. …
McNeill replaces Barry Weiner, who retired from his position as head coach in June after posting a 19-year record of 266-111-1, which included NCAA championships in 1997 and ’98. …
But Marcus in the comments informs that she’s decided not to try for World’s 2010, instead focusing on the NCAA. I see that confirmed on College Gymnastics Board.
I’d have loved to have seen that Cheng vault (VIDEO) on the international stage.
This is the same decision faced by Canada’s Kristina Vaculik. So far Kristina’s on the Canadian list for World’s. I assume that means she won’t be reporting at Stanford until January.
Who else is deferring until January? Or later? … Mattie Larson, …
I’m still cheering for Vanessa Zamarripa to qualify to the USA World’s team.
It’s so refreshing to see a gymnast with fantastic execution.
… The popular UCLA gymnast stunned everyone in Day 1 by sticking a world class Cheng vault – a monstrous 6.5 value vault that only a handful of gymnasts have ever competed. If she hits it again tonight, she could become the most shocking member of the 2010 world team. …
Barring injury, Bross and Sacramone are locks for the world team. Sloan’ status is uncertain at this point, but if she gets healthy she’s a lock as well. …
Jeff Graba (pronounced gray-ba), who has served as a gymnastics assistant at powerhouse Utah the last five seasons, has been named the head gymnastics coach at Auburn University …
“I am both excited and thankful for the opportunity to coach in what I believe is one of the top athletic programs in the country,” Graba said. “I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to improve on an already quality gymnastics program, and to compete in the SEC …
Yesterday Andrew Hampy on behalf of Cal Berkeley Gymnastics submitted a business plan for financial viability to their chancellor’s office. It will be 3wks before they get a response.
Gymnastike linked a video from Cal Gymnastics Forever.
Daniel Geri 09 July at 19:22
Dear Friends and Supporters,
The Cal Gymnastics Forever Foundation will be meeting with the Chancellor of UC Berkeley NEXT WEDNESDAY, JULY 14TH. We will be submitting our Business Plan for financial viability, including ALL your letters and pledges.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR LETTERS AND YOUR PLEDGES NOW so that your voice will be heard. Pledges will only be collected after the University guarantees our program beyond the 2011 season.
We have made it easier to submit your letters, and even designed an ONLINE auto-create letter system so all you have to do is enter your name and contact information and click a button! It will take you LESS THAN 3 MINUTES!
Some criticized USAG for not jumping on the bandwagon in supporting threatened Cal Berkeley Gymnastics.
They now have … guardedly.
USA Gymnastics statement regarding University of California, Berkeley gymnastics
07/01/2010
USA Gymnastics is aware of the challenges intercollegiate athletics in general, and gymnastics specifically, may face at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as some of the initial efforts of support for the gymnastics programs. We are speaking with the athletic director to understand the circumstances and the most effective way to address them. Once we have a better understanding of the matter, we will work with the appropriate entities to develop a full-fledged and targeted effort.
An interview with one of the hardest working gymnasts in Hollywood:
Heidi Moneymaker attended the University of California, where she joined the gymnastics group and became uneven bars and vault team champion in 1997 and 2000 and individual champion in 1998 and 1999.
… Heidi competed in the 1999 World University Games and received two Honda Award nominations. With this skilled background, she made the step and has worked as a stuntwoman and stunt actress on television series and films since 2002.
24, Hancock, Mission Impossible III, My Name Is Earl, Serenity, Spider-Man 3 and Star Trek are just a few of the many well known and high profile movies and TV shows that Heidi has done stunt work for and I was lucky enough to be able to get in touch with her recently to ask her about some of her latest projects including being Scarlett Johansson’s stunt double in Marvel Studios‘ Iron Man 2! …
Note Alyssa starts with her left foot forward for a right twisting Onodi. This would seem to be easiest. Some girls do start with the opposite foot, however, finding it keeps them “squarer”.
… “I’m very proud of the work we have done over the last 20 years here at Cal – not just the great teams and champions, but I’m proud of all the great people who have left their mark,” Weiner said. “Mostly, I am proud of the contributions that our student-athletes have made and continue to make in all walks of life. I have been very fortunate to have spent 19 great years coaching at Cal. I am going to miss working with all of the great kids and people who make up the Cal community.” …
Nataional Champion UCLA Bruin gymnast Anna Li was chosen to speak at the memorial for legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
Congratulations.
The public memorial service was held, appropriately enough, in Pauley Pavilion. It was a venue Wooden loved and in which he won nine of his 10 NCAA basketball championships.
… Athletic Director Dan Guerrero announced that Wooden’s customary seat in Pauley Pavilion — Section 103B, Row 2, Seat 1 — would be retired. No one would ever be allowed to sit there again, a decision that was met with applause. …
