Source: Associated Press
Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 2:38:00 PM EST
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:40:11 PM EST
Posted: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 2:38:00 PM EST
Published: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:40:11 PM EST
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Olympian Justin Spring is moving up at Illinois -- and moving on from competitive gymnastics.
Spring, part of the U.S. men's team that won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, was promoted to associate head coach at Illinois on Wednesday. The move follows the retirement of longtime Illini coach Yoshi Hayasaki, and means an end to Spring's competitive career.
"It wasn't much of a tough decision," said Spring, who became an assistant at Illinois after a standout college career that included four NCAA titles and the Nissen-Emery Award.
"I will, of course, miss competing and being a part of it. But I'm also excited for the new opportunity and when it came about, I was more than happy to jump on it."
Spring was one of the most dynamic and entertaining gymnasts on the U.S. squad, with a dazzling high bar routine that rivaled any circus act. He made the Olympic team despite blowing out his knee at the U.S. championships one year earlier.
He also was on the 2005 world team, and won U.S. titles on high bar (2005 and 2007) and parallel bars (2008).
Spring's promotion is part of a restructuring to replace Hayasaki, the Illini's coach for 33 years. While Spring will be responsible for all coaching duties in the gym, women's coach Bob Starkell will have administrative responsibilities for both teams as the new director of gymnastics.
Starkell, the Big Ten coach of the year, will continue coaching the Illinois women's team.
Ivan Ivankov, a two-time Olympian and world champion in 1994 and 1997, becomes the assistant coach of the men's team. The native of Belarus was a visiting assistant coach this year.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
Spring, part of the U.S. men's team that won the bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, was promoted to associate head coach at Illinois on Wednesday. The move follows the retirement of longtime Illini coach Yoshi Hayasaki, and means an end to Spring's competitive career.
"It wasn't much of a tough decision," said Spring, who became an assistant at Illinois after a standout college career that included four NCAA titles and the Nissen-Emery Award.
"I will, of course, miss competing and being a part of it. But I'm also excited for the new opportunity and when it came about, I was more than happy to jump on it."
Spring was one of the most dynamic and entertaining gymnasts on the U.S. squad, with a dazzling high bar routine that rivaled any circus act. He made the Olympic team despite blowing out his knee at the U.S. championships one year earlier.
He also was on the 2005 world team, and won U.S. titles on high bar (2005 and 2007) and parallel bars (2008).
Spring's promotion is part of a restructuring to replace Hayasaki, the Illini's coach for 33 years. While Spring will be responsible for all coaching duties in the gym, women's coach Bob Starkell will have administrative responsibilities for both teams as the new director of gymnastics.
Starkell, the Big Ten coach of the year, will continue coaching the Illinois women's team.
Ivan Ivankov, a two-time Olympian and world champion in 1994 and 1997, becomes the assistant coach of the men's team. The native of Belarus was a visiting assistant coach this year.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
