Illinois Sweeps Central Region Coach of the Year Honors
April 13, 2011 | Men's Gymnastics
April 13, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio - At the annual College Gymnastics Association/NCAA awards banquet Wednesday night at the Renaissance Columbus Hotel, the Illinois coaching staff was honored for the third straight year, as head coach Justin Spring was named Central Region Head Coach of the Year and Ivan Ivankov and Luke Stannard earned Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year accolades. This marks the third straight year Illinois has swept the Central Region awards.
"It's very unexpected, but it's great to be chosen by other coaches who combine for over 100 years of experience in gymnastics," Spring said. "It's truly an honor. For Ivan and Luke, the award is a testament to the help they give me and they deserve every bit of recognition they get."
Steven Legendre of the University of Oklahoma won the prestigious Nissen-Emery Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top senior male gymnast and honors excellence in gymnastics, good sportsmanship and fair play and a high standard of scholarship throughout his collegiate career.
The fourth-ranked Illini will begin competition at the 2011 NCAA Championships in the afternoon qualifying session on Thursday, April 14 at 12 p.m. CT.
