Author: Rick Mc

Career gymnastics coach who loves the outdoors, and the internet.

Doc Ali’s new book

The Leadership Warrior: Coaches Edition
by peak performance coach, author, and speaker, Dr. Alison Arnold.
Based on the rigorous ethics, loyalty, respect, and discipline of the Samurai warriors, this book integrates it all for athletic coaches. Noble. Disciplined. Creative. That is the warrior way.

Eddie Van Hoof being investigated

“The suspension is not a disciplinary penalty, and indeed does not imply any assumption of guilt,” a statement said.

“British Gymnastics confirms that an independent investigation is being conducted into allegations of misconduct relating to Eddie Van Hoof, pending the outcome of which he has been suspended.”

The allegations being investigated have not been specified publicly.

BBC – Eddie van Hoof: British Gymnastics suspends coach amid investigation

I can hardly think of a National Team coach less likely to be guilty of … anything. Let’s wait on the results of this investigation.

Svetlana Boguinskaia OLY

Here’s what the new post-nominal designation OLY looks like. 🙂

Only Olympians can apply.

Greek philosopher Plato was a gymnast

Plato … was a philosopher in Classical Greece and the founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. He is widely considered the most pivotal figure in the development of philosophy …

Along with his teacher, Socrates, and his most famous student, Aristotle, Plato laid the very foundations of Western philosophy and science. …

His given name, we think, was Aristocles (Ἀριστοκλῆς). Plato was a nickname given to him by a wrestling coach for his broad chest. Or broad shoulders. Plato being related to the word for wide. That’s how one story goes.

Physical fitness was important to the Greek philosophers.

The gymnasium (Greek: gymnasion) in Ancient Greecefunctioned as a training facility for competitors in public games. It was also a place for socializing and engaging in intellectual pursuits. The name comes from the Ancient Greek term gymnós meaning “naked“.

Athletes competed nude, a practice which was said to encourage aesthetic appreciation of the male body, and to be a tribute to the gods …

Michigan State University and Nassar

MSU fired Nassar on Sept. 20, 2016.

Using as a guide the cost of the child molestation scandal that rocked Penn State’s football program, it could cost Michigan State University more than $1 billion to resolve lawsuits filed by the former gymnasts who were sexually assaulted by Dr. Larry Nassar. …

Incredibly, at MSU, there has been no truly independent investigation to determine just how far up the chain of command did knowledge of what was happening in the gymnastics program go. Who’s inattentiveness and possible negligence allowed Nassar to prey on children for more than 20 years?

Even the gymnastics coach, Kathie Klages, who dismissed complaints from the victims as frivolous and pressured them to stay silent, was allowed to retire and begin collecting a pension without facing criminal charges. …

Detroit News – Finley: MSU cost in gymnast abuse scandal could top $1B

 MSU has a page title Our Commitment where they comment on the Nassar case.

 

related – Lansing State Journal – Editorial: Lou Anna Simon must resign as Michigan State president

BBS NCAA Preseason Rankings

December has arrived, which means it is officially time to unveil the 6th annual Balance Beam Situation Preseason Rankings. It’s like the coaches poll, except I’ve been paying attention. …

Florida returns each and every lineup routine from last season’s third-place finish, while casually adding the best freshman class in the country. All that combines to create the strongest and most accomplished roster of any school in the country. In the final season with Baker and McMurtry, this is Jenny’s time.

1. Florida Gators
2. Oklahoma Sooners
3. LSU Tigers
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
5. UCLA Bruins
6. Utah Utes

2018 BALANCE BEAM SITUATION PRESEASON RANKINGS

Click through to see Spencer’s top 25.

Gators vs LSU Friday, 12 January 2018 at Florida.

front full step-out … off the roof

Click PLAY or watch it on Instagram. Yikes.