Dec. 6, 2006

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Justin Spring, who recently concluded an illustrious four-year career with the Illini in 2006, was recently named assistant coach for the Illinois men's gymnastics team, head coach Yoshi Hayasaki announced today. Spring will begin his duties as assistant coach on Jan. 1, and joins Hayasaki's top-assistant Jon Valdez on the coaching staff for the nationally-ranked Illinois squad.

"Having Justin join our coaching staff gives a tremendous boost to our program," Hayasaki said. "Justin will be helping in the area of recruiting, promoting and administration. On our staff, Justin also will spend time with individual athletes for any technical advice they need. Overall, the biggest asset that our team gains is the experience and knowledge that Justin brings, along with his great ability to perform and compete."

Spring joins an Illinois men's gymnastics team that received a preseason ranking of sixth by the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll announced on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The Illini received their ninth straight top-10 ranking since the web site first began its poll in 1996.

Spring, one of the most talented Illinois gymnasts of all time, had one of the best seasons in the history of the program in 2006, which culminated in earning the 2006 Nissen-Emery Award, an honor that goes to the top male gymnast in the nation. A double titlist at the 2006 NCAAs, Spring took home the crown on high bar and defended his title on parallel bars. In addition, he carded five total All-America honors with a second-place finish in the all-around, third on floor exercise and fourth on vault.

Along with his individual honors, Spring helped the Illini to runner-up finishes at the 2006 NCAA and Big Ten Championships. The finish at NCAA came half-a-point shy of team-champion Oklahoma and just short of the Orange and Blue's 10th national title.

The Burke, Va., native is a four-time NCAA Champion, winning a pair of titles in high bar in both 2004 and 2006 and back-to-back crowns on parallel bars in 2005-06. Along with his national recognition, Spring earned 2006 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year accolades. In all, Spring finished his illustrious career being named to the All-Big Ten first team three times, grabbed Big Ten Gymnast of the Week laurels six times and earned Inside Gymnastics' NCAA Gymnast of the Week honors three times.

During his four-year career, Spring garnered three Big Ten Championships with titles on parallel bars and in the all-around in 2006 and on the floor exercise in 2004. One of Illinois most highly touted gymnasts, Spring is a two-time recipient of the Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year award (2004, 2006), which goes to Illinois' top male and female athlete. A face and name that will forever be remembered in Illini record books, Spring left the Fighting Illini a 12-time All-American, the most since Abie Grossfeld earned 12 from 1957-59, and holds the Illinois record on the floor exercise, vault, parallel bars and high bar.

Spring's success has extended far beyond his honors in Big Ten and NCAA competition. He represented the U.S. at the 2005 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Melbourne, Australia on floor exercise, parallel bars and high bar as a member of the 2005 US National Team. At the 2005 World Championships, Spring finished 10th to qualify as a reserve on high bar and finished 12th on parallel bars. In 2005, Spring became the first Illini to ever win a U.S. National title with his two-day combined high bar score of 18.750, while also scoring a 9.500 on high bar at the 2005 American Cup to take home the silver medal behind Olympian Paul Hamm.

The Illini gymnast finished fourth on the high bar at the 2004 Visa U.S. Championships with scores of 9.600 and 9.650 in the two-day format, and competed for Team USA at the 2003 World University Games in Daegu, South Korea, advancing to the finals on floor. In 2006, Spring garnered a selection to the 2006 Men's World Championships team, but had to pull out due to injury.

The Illini will begin their season this Friday, Dec. 8, with the annual Mixed Pairs Exhibition meet held at Huff Hall in conjunction with the women's gymnastics team. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m., while admission is free. After the meet, Illini gymnasts will be handing out team posters and schedule cards, and will be available for autographs.