Here’s a terrific, inspiring feature on Nebraska assistant coach Jim Hartung:
… The first Husker men’s gymnast named to the inaugural Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame class last week, Hartung remains etched in the NCAA record book with seven individual national championships. A 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, Hartung has earned 22 All-America honors – the most of any male student-athlete in Nebraska history. He shares an NCAA record of seven individual national career titles with Illinois’ Joe Giallombardo (1938-39-40) and Michigan’s Sam Mikulak (2011-12-13-14). …
Throat Cancer Became Hartung’s Toughest Test, Biggest Trial
Hartung faced adversity himself after learning he had throat cancer more than four years ago.
“I was judging the World Gymnastics Championships in Belgium in 2010,” he told me. “I wore a tie all day, and when I took it off, I rubbed my neck and found a bump. I remember thinking ‘I don’t have a sore throat. I don’t have a cold.’ I just had an ominous feeling from that moment to the rest of the trip. When I got back to Lincoln, I saw a doctor the next morning. I was diagnosed with a type of throat cancer that was right behind my voice box.” …
There were times when Hartung wondered if he was going to see the next morning.
“My support system is what got me through,” he said. “I’ve always had a huge appreciation for my family and friends. The experience certainly put a lot of things into a new perspective. I had to go the doctor’s office every day. My wife, Lisa, would take me on Monday. Chuck (Chmelka), my boss, would take me on Tuesday. Johnny (Robinson), our other assistant, would take me on Wednesday. Dan Kendig, our women’s gymnastics coach, would take me on Thursday. Jim Devine, a doctor friend of mine, would take me on Friday. It was the same schedule for 10 weeks. I am indebted forever to all of them. …
… I started the ordeal at 185 pounds and by June, I was down to 119 pounds and struggling. I don’t know how to describe it. …
… “Jim never missed a routine in the NCAA Championships,” Chmelka said. “He was an absolute machine for four straight years. What he did was unheard of then and is still unheard of now. In the 1980s, you had to compete in twice as many routines as there is now. Jim’s strength and his focus were unbelievable. He was the toughest competitor I’ve ever seen. He was great individually but a total team player. …
It looks like Jim has beaten Cancer. If he stays clear through to November he’ll be “statistically cured”. 🙂
Gymnastics Coaching.com 