Suzanne Yoculan
Suzanne Paige Yoculan was the head coach of the women's gymnastics program at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia from 1983 to 2009. During her tenure, she built the Georgia gymnastics program into a national powerhouse and is one of the most decorated coaches in history of collegiate gymnastics.
Yoculan graduated from Penn State University in 1975 with a degree in therapeutic recreation with a dance emphasis. She was named the head women's gymnastics coach at the University of Georgia on August 24, 1983, and coached her first meet against the University of Alabama Crimson Tide on December 3, 1983.[3] During her 26 years at the helm, Georgia's gymnastics team, the "Gym Dogs," posted a meet record of 831-117-7 (.870 winning percentage). Under Yoculan, the Gym Dogs won 16 Southeastern Conference Championships and 10 NCAA championships, including a run of 5 consecutive national championships during her final 5 seasons.[3]
Since 2000, she has been in a long-term relationship with UGA Board of Regent member Don Leebern. This relationship raised some eyebrows for several reasons, the foremost being that Leeburn remains married to another woman. Many questioned the appropriateness of the relationship due to Leeburn's power over financing for the gymnastics program.
Career Review and Honors
- 10 NCAA Women's Gymnastics championships - 1987, '89, '93, '98, '99, '05, '06, '07, '08, '09 [4]
- 16 Southeastern Conference Championships - 1986, '87, '91, '92, '93, '94, '96, '97, '98, '99, 2001, '02, '04, '05, '06, '08[3]
- 21 NCAA Regional Titles - 1986, '88, '89, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, '96, '98, '99, 2000, '01, '02, '03, '04, '06, '07, '08, '09[3][5]
- NCAA Women's Gymnastics Coach of the Year - 1987, '93, '98, 2006, '08[3]
- Southeastern Conference Women's Gymnastics Coach of the Year - 1986, '87, '99, 2001, '02, '04, '08, '09[3][6]
- Her teams finished in the Top 3 nationally 19 out of her final 21 years, in addition to qualifying for the "Super Six" (final six NCAA teams) every year since the format was introduced in 1993. Her teams also never missed participating in the NCAA Women's Gymnastics competition.
- 4 Undefeated Seasons- '93, '98, '99, '06[3]
References
- ^ NCAA.com: Women's Gymnastics
- ^ Johnston, Andy (April 22, 2006). "Magnificent 7: 1987 1989 1993 1998 1999 2005 2006: Georgia vaults to seventh national title". Athens Banner-Herald. Morris Communications. Retrieved 2008-03-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Georgia Biographies: Suzanne Yoculan". GeorgiaDogs.com. University of Georgia Athletics Association. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
- ^ "National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics". NCAA. Retrieved 2007-04-15.
- ^ Template:Cite web a takes top spot
- ^ "SEC Gymnastics History and Records". Southeastern Conference. Retrieved 2008-03-22.