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In Memoriam, 2020: Mari-Rae Sopper, 9/11/01
On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams, as well as the others who lost their lives that fateful day.
SCSU Hires Knox as New Head Coach
SCSU has hired Byron Knox as their new Head Coach. Know was the Head Coach at Bridgeport for the last 16 seasons, and led the squad to six straight USA Gymnastics National titles. He was a gymnast on SCSU's Men's team, a member of the US National team and coached at SCSU and Yale. Bridgeport faces some uncertainty as the university has been acquired. A number of gymnasts have transferred during the off-season.
Link: Release
Gymnastics at Risk: Four Programs Cut, Two Saved
The financial aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis have put athletics departments across the country under financial distress. Already, schools have announced cuts to their Gymnastics programs. Men are especially at risk with the loss of critical mass that could lead to the extinction of the sport in the NCAA. Here's the running list, one that we hope remains at five or less:
2020-2021: Arizona Welcomes Two More to Incoming Class
Arizona has announced the addition of Halli Mayberry and Taylor Raskin to the 2020-2021 roster. The commits of both athletes were covered previously.
Link: Release
Alaska-Anchorage To Cut Gymnastics After This Season
UAA has announced a decision to terminate Gymnastics, Men's Hockey and men's and women's skiing after this current season. The decision must be ratified by the Board of Regents in their September meeting. A period of public comment is available, and the team is organizing actions to protest the decision.
Link: Release
Annual Coaches' Scholarship Survey in Progress
Each summer, we run a survey of all the scholarship-granting women's programs, to gauge the number of available scholarships for the next several years at each program. The initial results are posted in the the commits section. Coaches' please check your inbox for a survey or contact the site if you did not receive one.
2020-2021: LIU Lands Titarsolej
Dutch National Team member Mara Titarsolej has committed to LIU for 2020-2021. The soon to be (Auguest) 21 year old competed for the Netherlands at the 2016 Europeans and 2015 Worlds but took some time off from the sport during the last quad. She finished 6th AA, 5th on BB and 5th on FX at the 2019 Dutch Championships.
Link: Instagram
2021-2022: Lauzon Switches to Cal
Mya Lauzon, a L10 from Metropolitain, has apparently switched her commitment to Cal. Her club originally reported her as committed to Minnesota.
Link: USAGym Bio
USU Promotes Lewis to Associate Head Coach
Utah State has promoted assistant Erik Lewis to the position of associate Head Coach, as announced by Head Coach Amy Smith.
Link: USU Release
Tanyo Ho Resigns as Head Coach at Alaska-Anchorage
Tanya Ho has stepped down after three season as Head Coach at Alaska-Anchorage. Assistant Alina Cartwright was also removed from the roster.
Link: Release