| To contact the coaches: Head Coach "CJ" Johnson - 996-5614, cjgym@uic.edu Assistant Coach Sean Grosvenor Student Assistant Coaches Jeremy Koonce, Charlie Nelson |
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| 1999-2000 Schedule |
1998-99 Results |
1999-2000 Roster |
| 1998-99 Team Picture | Records | Quick Facts |
| Newsletter | Recruiting Information | Gallery |
| Notes | ||
| To contact the coaches: Head Coach "CJ" Johnson - 996-5614, cjgym@uic.edu Assistant Coach Sean Grosvenor Student Assistant Coaches Jeremy Koonce, Charlie Nelson |
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Entering his 26th year as the head coach of the men's gymnastics team, the name "CJ" Johnson has become synonymous with success. Both regionally and nationally recognized, UIC has cultivated a tradition of excellance under Johnson's leadership. His program has accumulated numerous championships and awards during the three decades that Johnson has been at the helm, culminating most recently with four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division I Regionals from 1994-97. Last season saw Johnson pick-up a milestone accomplishment of his own when he achieved his 200th career victory with a win at Navy on March 15. Johnson finished the '98-'99 campaign with 202 career victories - all at UIC - after his Flames ended the season with a 7-6 dual-meet record. UIC finished the season by winning six of its final eight dual meets, including an upset victory over then-No. 7 Michigan State. The Flames narrowly missed the NCAA East Regional, but did qualify no less than 11 UIC gymnasts to compete as individuals at the Regional. Those individuals turned in four top-25 performances for the Flames, including a 10th-place finish by junior Jody Liebler on the vault with a score of 9.575. A future star emerged for UIC in freshman Erin Willingham, who broke the school record on the pommel horse with a 9.900 against William & Mary. Johnson's '96-'97 squad was one of his best, finishing the season ranked ninth in the country. The Flames were led by All-American Shannon Welker and Chase Penny who each advanced to represent UIC at the NCAA championships. The Flames captured first place at the National Independent Championships, and advanced to the NCAA East Regional as a team for the sixth time in eight years. In 1995, Welker and Chase Penny qualified for the NCAA Championships with Welker garnering All-American honors on the floor exercise. The team also equaled four team records while 39 individual career marks were set or tied. As one of the top gymnastics coaches in the country, Johnson has also gained notoriety from the national gymnastics community and, in 1995, was named the Midwest Region’s Coach of the Year. Over the summer of 1996, Johnson served as Head Coach of Ireland’s Gymnastics Program, led by former UIC Flame Barry McDonald, which competed in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Outside of UIC, Johnson shares his gymnastics expertise by acting as a clinician for the Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. He has served the Association the past four years at its Winter Clinic as well as at the Summer Retreat in Lake Geneva, Wis. Not only does Johnson make himself available, he has also judged the IHSA State Gymnastics Series over the past seven years. Johnson is an active member of the College Gymnastics Association and served as that organization's president from 1994-'96. Johnson’s early UIC squad’s were among the finest in NCAA Division II competition, winning national titles in both 1978 and 1979. His teams have done very well since reaching NCAA Division I status in 1979-80 as they gave Johnson his 100th win on March 13, 1992 against San Jose State. Johnson has led the Flames to an impressive 202-131 mark, in 25 years of service. The success Johnson has enjoyed has been recognized throughout the country. The 1972 UIC graduate received one of gymnastics’ most prestigious awards for his accomplishments and dedication to the sport. At the 1990 National Congress in New Orleans, the United States Gymnastics Federation rewarded him with its Distinguished Service Award, which is second only to the USAG’s Coach of the Year Award. His national championship teams also brought him two consecutive NCAA Division II Coach of the Year Awards. He has been named the Mideast Region Coach of the Year on four different occasions, first in 1980 when his team was 10th in the nation, in 1988, 1994 and finally in 1995. Johnson’s gymnastics expertise extends beyond just the UIC program. In 1978, he was selected by the NCAA to coach the USA All-Star Team that competed in Mexico City and a year later, he traveled to Budapest, Hungary to coach the USA Men’s Gymnastics Team at the Hungarian Invitational. Johnson also served as head coach of the East Region Team at the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival and five years ago, he was selected to work with the coaching staff of the Irish National Team as a clinician and lecturer which resulted in his appointment as head coach of that squad. His international experience includes his appointment and selection as an international clinician to Costa Rica by the United States Olympic Committee and the United States Gymnastics Federation. He also served as the National Gymnastics Coach of Barbados at the British Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia. Johnson’s gymnastics foundation began in the 1960’s as a competitor at the club, high school and college levels. The high bar and vaulting events were his specialty although he competed as an all-arounder. He began his coaching career at Proviso West High School where he produced three high school All-Americans. Johnson and his wife, Jean, have two daughters, Katie and Renee, and reside in LaGrange.
Chicago, IL * Lane Tech H.S.Career/Personal: 1997: Was one of UIC's top performers on the parallel bars and horizontal bar. Had a very successful senior year after being injured several years during his undergraduate years. Sean finished his internship in Kinesiotherapy at the Westside V. A. Hospital. He will work towards another degree in Athletic Training during the 1999 season
Personal/Prep: A Club and High School gymnast at Lane Tech and UIC Gym Club as an all-around competitor...was the Illinois High School State Champion on Still rings and won every Sectional and Regional events...an honor roll student in both his junior and senior year's....A graduate in Kinesiotherapy in the School of Kinesiology...coached by "CJ" Johnson
Beginning his 3rd season as UIC's Gymnastics team chiropractor, Stuart's involvement in the prevention and treatment of injuries is a definite positive for the UIC program. Stuart offers two day a week treatments to the gymnasts. If situations are too severe he sees them at his office. Dr. Yoss is a former gymnast at Pitt where he was the captain of the gymnastics team. It was there he received his Bachelor's Degree. Stuart's talents and his attention to details have helped the UIC gymnastics team tremendously. All athletes are treated professionally. Each have returned to daily activities quicker since Stuart has joined the program. We are happy to have Dr. Yoss associated with the gymnastics team and we look forward to his service. He will be a very important part of the 1998-99 UIC Gymnastics season! Stuart resides in Chicago and will be a newlywed very shortly. Even with his grueling practice he has volunteered himself to the USAG where he took on duties at last year's Winter Nationals. Keeping even busier Stuart has chosen to continue his education earning a higher degree from the National Chiropractic in Lombard.