Longtime University of Illinois men’s gymnastics head coach Yoshi Hayasaki announced today that he is retiring following the 2008-09 season. Next year will be his 33rd and final season leading the Illini men’s gymnastics program. …
During his career, Hayasaki has produced 86 All-Americans, 44 Big Ten Champions and 10 National Champions, including Paul Ruggeri, who won the 2008 High Bar national title. His crowning moment came in 1989 when he led the Illini to the NCAA Team Championship. …
“I’m content with my decision to finish off my coaching career at the end of the 2009 season,” Hayasaki said. “The Illinois program is in great shape now and its success will continue. It is always difficult to say good bye, and it may get harder as I continue coaching next year. We have had a lot of success at Illinois and I have enjoyed each and every season with different encounters, challenges and successes. I enjoyed the journey that I took, but it is time for me to do something different while still young and healthy. I’m going to enjoy one more season with this terrific group of guys I now have, plus the outstanding freshmen who we are adding to the program. Obviously, my goal is to win the Big Ten and national title next season, just as it has been for the last 35 years.”
Yoshi was as energetic and enthusiastic as a 21-year-old coach at NCAA Championships last weekend. And anyone there can tell you, his team did a fantastic job.
We’re seeing the retirement of many of the original Japanese gymnasts and coaches who came to North America.
In my city, Calgary, I can tell you we knew NOTHING about gymnastics until the arrival of Shiro Tanaka, former Japanese High School Champion, in the 1970s. The Japanese ruled Men’s Gymnastics at that time. The legacy of those coaches is still with us today. It a little sad to see them retiring.
Good luck to Yoshi Hayasaki in all his future projects. After he wins NCAA Championships 2009, that is.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 