Arizona State University Gymnastics: A Legacy of Excellence
Arizona State University (ASU) boasts a storied gymnastics program, marked by individual brilliance, team achievements, and dedicated leadership. From its early years to its present form, ASU gymnastics has consistently strived for excellence, leaving an indelible mark on collegiate gymnastics.
Early Pioneers and Foundational Success (Women's Gymnastics)
The foundation of ASU's women's gymnastics program was laid by pioneering athletes who set the standard for future generations.
Kathy Godward: The First All-American
Kathy Godward, a gymnast for the Sun Devils from 1977-80, became ASU's first female All-American in gymnastics. She earned the nation's top honors on balance beam in her final two seasons in Tempe. In 1979, Godward was the NCAA runner-up on beam, leading Arizona State to a second-place finish in their region at the AIAW Gymnastics Championships. Godward was an essential part of accelerating the growth of the Sun Devil Gymnastics program. She was a key member of the 1980 team that finished ninth at the AIAW Championships, despite the program being in its fifth year of existence. That year, she finished third in the country on beam, becoming the first of only five Sun Devils in program history to be named a two-time All-American on the event. During Godward's four years, ASU boasted an incredible dual record of 50-22, including a 22-win campaign in 1980, setting a record for most single-season dual wins that still stands to this day.
After her career at ASU, Godward went on to work with young gymnasts serving as a coach for Arizona Stingrays Gymnastics program, mentoring several future Division-I athletes and remaining a part of the program's staff. Godward also has served as a gymnastics' judge since leaving ASU, becoming heavily involved in the Arizona branch of the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges (NAWGJ). She previously served as Arizona State Judging Director and is currently a sitting board member of the Arizona NAWGJ. Godward reached Elite status as a judge, earning experience at the NCAA level as a floor judge at the 2000 Pac-10 Championships.
Achievements in the 1980s
The 1980s witnessed significant milestones for ASU women's gymnastics, with gymnasts earning national recognition and titles.
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Lisa Zeis
Zeis, a 1983 World University Games competitor, claimed the 1985 NCAA balance beam title prior to winning the 1986 national floor exercise championship. She earned All-America and all-conference accolades during each of her four seasons at ASU. In addition, Zeis won the 1986 Pacific West Conference balance beam, floor exercise and all-around titles. She was the 1984 WCAA balance beam and all-around champion as well. Zeis joined the ASU coaching staff in 1987 as its first-ever full-time assistant coach.
Amy Brummer
Brummer earned All-American honors three times and was a three-time All-Pac-10 performer. She was also an Academic All-Pac-10 selection in 1995. Brummer posted three NCAA individual titles. After finishing as a runner-up in the uneven bars in 1983, she returned to capture the title in 1984. In 1986, she attained the all-around and balance beam crowns. Brummer also won five Pac-10 titles: two for vault, two for the uneven bars, and the 1983 all-around. Earned ASU's first women's gymnastics national championship in 1983, competing on uneven bars.
Jackie Neal
Neal won two NCAA individual titles. She captured the 1983 NCAA floor exercise crown and the 1986 vaulting title. In 1985, she was the NCAA floor exercise runner-up. A four-time All-America selection, Neal won the 1984 Western Collegiate Athletic Association (WCAA) vaulting championship and twice earned all-conference accolades.
Freeland: excelling in academics and athletics.
During her four years at Arizona State, Freeland was repeatedly honored for her academic achievements as well as her athletic abilities as a gymnast. She was a Pacific-10 Conference All-Academic selection as a sophomore, and she finished third on the vault nationally, earning her first All-America honors. In her junior season, she tied for first on the vault at the Pac-10 Championships and finished sixth nationally, earning all-American honors for the second straight year, and she was named to the Pac-10 All-Academic first team and honored as a second-team GTE Academic All-American. Freeland was then named the Pac-10 Gymnast of the Year and earned All-Pac-10 honors again as a senior. She earned all-American honors on the beam, and she was again named to the Pac-10 All-Academic first team and to the GTE Academic All-America team.
Kelly: A Five-Time All-American
A five-time All-American between 2004 and 2006, Kelly is one of the most decorated gymnasts ever at ASU and was inducted in 2018. Kelly won the NCAA Championship on beam in 2004, just the eighth different Sun Devil gymnast to take home an individual championship. Kelly earned an All-American nod in each of the five exercises. In 2004 she was named first team for all-around and beam and second team for vault and floor exercise. In 2005, Kelly picked up the event she was missing, and was named an all-American on the uneven bars. Kelly was named to an all-Pac-10 team during each of her seasons as a Sun Devil. Kelly scored a perfect 10 eight times across various events.
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Men's Gymnastics: Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Club Success
The ASU Men's Gymnastics team has a unique history, transitioning from an NCAA sport to a successful club program.
Early Years and Coaching Leadership
The Arizona Men's Gymnastics team initially started as a club program under the direction of Coach Norris Steverson. Don Robinson took the job as head coach in 1969 and coached a very successful program for 25 years.
Transition to Club Status and Continued Success
In May of 1993, the ASU Men’s Gymnastics Team was cut as an NCAA sport. It was then registered as a club sport under the Recreation Department and continues to be totally self-funded under the leadership of head coach Scott Barclay. The team lost 4 of its starters before the 93-94 season started due to frustration, but the remaining team went on to have a 13-16 dual meet season against other NCAA teams. In the end they went on to win the USA Collegiate Club National Championships in April of 1994.
Funding and Community Involvement
As a club, all operating expenses for each season are raised through three sources:
- Through Booster club memberships and donations
- Corporate sponsorships
- Team fundraising events.
Of these three, the team members themselves raise over 60% of the needed funds each year by hosting junior meets and clinics, setting up equipment for local junior competitions, building competition floors for local gyms and scoring junior competitions. These fund-raising activities keep the team busy throughout the school year. On top of that, they remain active in doing school and promotional shows whenever they have the chance. The team is supported through a non-profit 501-C3 booster club consisting of 7-9 board members. These are individuals who are committed to seeing the tradition of Arizona Gymnastics continue. The team also has a history of community involvement by doing shows and talks for schools (ie.-”say no to drugs”), churches, and community groups. Now that we are no longer under the NCAA umbrella, we are even more available to be involved in these types of community appearances.
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The Impact of Arizona Gymnastics
From the individual athlete who now gets a chance to continue his career as a student athlete to that young gymnast who looks up to them and dreams of someday being a contributing team member himself. The Arizona men’s gymnastics team continues to impact thousands of young kids (boys and girls) in many ways and we look forward to many more years of impacting young lives for the better. Being able to have a successful team program takes much more than 12 competitive gymnasts and a couple coaches. It takes a bit of EVERYONE who cares to see the Arizona gymnastics tradition continue.
Notable Figures in Men's Gymnastics
Don Robinson
Honored as the first Lifetime Achievement Award winner by the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, Don Robinson coached and administered himself into a gymnastics icon. Following a fruitful run of nine conference and four state championships as a high school coach in Colorado, he moved on to the collegiate level. In the NCAA, Robinson coached at New Mexico University before settling in at Arizona State University, where he won six Pac-10 Conference titles and 13 NCAA top finishes in more than 30 seasons. Simultaneously, he organized the first two Coaches Congresses in 1965 and 1966, as well as became instrumental in the United States Gymnastics Federation. Additionally, Robinson served as President of the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches. Don Robinson is the second coach of the ASU Mens Gymnastics Team and first coach to win an NCAA Champion ship after 2 runner-up finishes.
Dan Hayden
Dan Hayden, a standout gymnast for Arizona State University, left a lasting legacy in Sun Devil gymnastics history. Competing at the highest level, Hayden captured two NCAA national titles on parallel bars and high bar, winning both events in 1985 and 1986. His dominance extended beyond individual events, as he finished tied for second in the all-around at the 1985 NCAA Championships and secured third place in the all-around in 1986. Beyond his NCAA achievements, Hayden earned All-America honors on floor exercise and pommel horse, further cementing his reputation as one of ASU’s most decorated gymnasts.
Chris Evans
Recognizing his historic achievements, Chris Evans was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 1976. His legacy as a trailblazer in Sun Devil gymnastics remains an inspiration for future generations.
L.J. Larson
L.J. Larson earned 2nd at the 1976 NCAA Championships Pommel Horse.
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