STAFF EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977

2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE | soonersports.com

31 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS HEAD COACH MARK WILLIAMS 10th Year at OU: 223-18 | Alma Mater: Nebraska, 1980

Five National Championships Eight Conference Championships Five-Time National Coach of the Year Eight-Time MPSF Coach of the Year

With three NCAA Championships the University of Oklahoma men’s gymnastics program was no stranger to success prior to head coach Mark Williams’ arrival. However, Williams has established OU as the nation’s elite program with five national titles in the last seven years, claiming crowns in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and most recently in 2008.

The Sooners have also enjoyed international success with Williams at the helm as he helped train two Olympic medal winners. (Beijing 2008) and Guard Young (Athens 2004) represented the U.S. in the last two Olympic Games.

Williams was named the head coach at Oklahoma in 2000 and has positioned the program SOONERS UNDER WILLIAMS as a national contender every year with an overall mark of 223-18 (.925) in nine seasons. In addition to the five national titles, the Sooners have recorded three national runner-up Year Record Conference (Finish) Postseason (Finish) finishes under Williams and other gaudy numbers that includes 14 individual national 2000 15-4 MPSF (First) NCAA (Fourth) champions, 92 All-America honors, eight conference team championships, 29 individual 2001 24-2 MPSF (First) NCAA (Second) conference titles and two Nissen Emery Award winners (Jonathan Horton in 2008 and 2002 28-1 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) 2003 26-0 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) Daniel Furney in 2003), presented annually to the nation’s top senior gymnast. GYMANSTICS STAFF | HEAD COACH MARK WILLIMAS | HEAD COACH GYMANSTICS STAFF 2004 24-4 MPSF (Second) NCAA (Second) 2005 21-2 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) “What we have accomplished as a program in seven years is unprecedented,” said Williams. 2006 31-0 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) “I knew when I was hired that this was my dream job and each year I look forward to build- 2007 26-4 MPSF (First) NCAA (Second) ing upon Oklahoma’s tradition of gymnastics excellence.” 2008 28-1 MPSF (First) NCAA (First) TOTAL 223-18 .925 WINNING PERCENTAGE The 2008 Sooners won the eighth national title in the program’s history while Horton won an individual national title on still and freshman Steven Legendre won national titles on the exercise and . In addition to Horton and Legendre, who combined for six BY THE NUMBERS All-America honors, juniors Russell Czeschin (floor exercise), Chris Brooks (, high bar) and Jason Laughton () and sophomore Reed Pitts (floor exercise) re- ceived national awards as OU posted the second highest total in the nation in 2008 with 11. .925 14 The winning percentage since head The number of individual national Following the NCAA Championships, Williams was named National Coach of the Year for coach Mark Willimas has been titles won under the direction of the fifth time, just months after he was named the MPSF Conference Coach of the Year for at the University of Oklahoma. Williams. the eighth time in his career. The Sooners claimed their fourth straight Mountain Pacific Willimas has won an average of 24 Sports Federation title in 2008, the ninth conference championship in the last 10 years. In matches each of his nine years at the addition, Horton was the MPSF all-around champion for the third time. He added the rings university. 29 crown and earned his third MPSF Gymnast of the Year Award. The number of individual conference Williams’ 2007 OU squad won the program’s eighth MPSF title in nine seasons and finished championships that have awarded as national runner-up. Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons claimed the NCAA all-around crown and 1 under Williams. Since Mark Willams has been at Horton won the floor exercise and high bar titles, breaking ’s OU record for Oklahoma, the Sooners have finished career NCAA championships. either first or second in the last eight NCAA Championships. 92 In 2006, the Sooners won their second consecutive NCAA title and fourth in five years. Wil- The number of All-Americans that liams led OU to a perfect 31-0 record, racking up a school-record 14 All-America honors, an have been produced while Willimas NCAA high for the second straight year. has been at Oklahoma. 2 The 2006 squad also produced the eighth individual national champion under Williams as The number of Olympic gymnasts Horton captured the all-around title as well as the still rings and floor exercise. who have come from Oklahoma since Williams has been coaching at 100 Following the season, an unprecedented six members of that NCAA Championship team Oklahoma. The number of wins that Williams qualified for the Visa U.S. Championships. Following the meet, Williams was named head collected by 2004. Williams reaxched the plateau quicker than any coach in NCAA history. 32 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977

In 2008, Willimas went with Sooner gymnast Jonathan Horton to the Beijing Olympics. This was Education Willams third trip to the Olympics, the others being at the Athens and Atlanta games. • B.S. Secondary Education/English (Nebraska, 1980) • M.A. Journalism/Professional Writing (Oklahoma, 1991) HEAD COACH STAFF MARK WILLIAMS | GYMNASTICS Coaching Experience • Head Coach, Oklahoma (2000-present) • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (1988-99) • High School Coach (1982-88)

Career Coaching Highlights • 2008 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach • 2008 NCAA National Champions • 2008 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2008 National Coach of the Year • 2007 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2006 U.S. World Championships Head Coach • 2006 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year • 2006 NCAA National Champions • 2006 National Coach of the Year • 2006 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2005 NCAA National Champions • 2005 National Coach of the Year • 2005 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2004 U.S. Olympic Personal Coach • 2003 NCAA National Champions • 2003 National Coach of the Year • 2003 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2003 World Championship Personal Coach • 2002 World Championship Personal Coach • 2002 NCAA National Champions • 2002 National Coach of the Year • 2002 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2001 MPSF Coach of the Year • 2001 West Region NCAA Coach of the Year • 2001 World Championship Personal Coach • 2000 MPSF Coach of the Year coach of the U.S. Team for the 2006 World Championships in Denmark where Horton joined • 1999 Pan American Games Head Coach him as a member of the American squad. • 1996 Assistant Olympic Coach • 1995 Assistant World Championship Coach The 2005 Sooners won their third NCAA title in a four-year span. Williams guided OU to a • 1994 World Championship Personal Coach record of 21-2 and the Sooners produced a then-school-record 13 All-America honors, a • 1994 USA Gymnastics Coach of the Year NCAA high among the 2005 teams competing at the championship meet. • 1994 NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year • 11-time USA International Team Coach The 2005 squad also produced the fifth individual national champion under Williams when David Henderson took the title on the still rings. Henderson, his younger brother, Jamie, Coaching Accomplishments and Horton also gave Williams his 16th, 17th and 18th individual conference champions. • Athlete on U.S. Olympic Team • Two athletes on World Championship Teams Folowing the 2008 and 2005 seasons, the Oklahoma team traveled to Washington D.C. and • Athlete on Pan American Games Team • Athlete on Pan American Championship Team was honored at the nation’s capital on the White House South Lawn at NCAA Champion’s • Athlete on World University Games Team Day. After being recognized at a reception held by Oklahoma’s senators, the Sooners • Nine athletes on USA Senior National Team received a private tour of the Capitol from Oklahoma senator Tom Cole. • Eight athletes on Junior National Team • 92 NCAA All-America Athletes The 2004 Sooners were 1.5 points shy of becoming the first team in more than 20 years to • 14 NCAA National Champions win three consecutive NCAA titles. Williams guided OU to its second straight undefeated • Two USA Junior National All-Around Champions season (14-0) and finished 24-4 after its second place finish at nationals. The Sooners produced eight All-America honors, a NCAA high among the 2004 teams competing at the Gymnastics Activities championship meet. • NCAA Rules Committee Chair, 2005 • NGJA Nationally Certified Judge, 1984-2001 Also in 2004, Williams reached the 100-win plateau faster than any other coach in NCAA • F.I.G. Certified Judge, 1998-2004 history after defeating then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio. • USAG Men’s Program Committee Member, 1994-2000 • U.S. Men’s Elite Coaches Association Sec./Treas. & V.P., 1991-98 • USAG Board of Directors Sr. Rep, 1996-98 Williams made history in 2002 and 2003 when he became the first coach in NCAA history • Coached on seven NCAA National Championship Teams to win two national titles in his first four years as a head coach. He has also produced six (1981, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008) conference titles, in addition to being named Coach of the Year by the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation eight times and NCAA National Coach of the Year five times. Athletic Accolades (Nebraska) • NCAA Team Champion, 1979 and 1980 • All-American High Bar, 1978 • Big Eight Champion High Bar, 1978 • U.S. Junior National Team, 1975 SOONERSPORTS.COM 33 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

In his 28 years as a professional gymnastics coach, Williams has guided gymnasts to the Olympic, World Championship, Pan American Games and University Games teams. He has also coached numerous senior and junior U.S. national team members.

“As a college coach, NCAA competition will always be my first priority,” Williams said, “but I also want to encourage those guys who come into the program with aspirations to make the U.S. national team. As a coach, I am committed to making USA Gymnastics training and competition opportunities available to every athlete on my team who wants to compete on a national and international level.”

In addition to his coaching prowess, Williams is a nationally and internationally certified judge. He served as the vice president for the U.S. Men’s Elite Coaches Association, as a member of the Men’s Program Committee for USA Gymnastics (USAG) and on the USAG Board of Directors. Williams was a member of the 2000 Olympic Selection Committee. He also served as a personal coach on the U.S. team which competed at the 2001 and 2002 World Championships and the Chinichi Cup.

Williams’ vast experience has been recognized at the highest levels of the sport, one of the most notable was when he was asked to serve as the assistant coach for Team USA at the 1996 Olympic Games. In July of 1999, Williams was head coach of the USA’s Pan American Games Team which claimed the silver medal. He coached at both the 1994 and 1995 World Championships, as well as the 1987 Junior International, 1991-92 DTB Cups, 1991 World University Games and 2000 International Team Cup.

Williams’ career as an athlete was equally impressive whether as a gymnast, assistant coach or head coach, Williams has been a part of eight NCAA Championship teams. A high school standout from La Grange Park, Ill., he went on to compete at Nebraska (1977-1980). He received All-America honors on the high bar (1978) in addition to the two national cham- pionship titles he earned with his team (1979, 1980). He then helped the Cornhuskers to

GYMANSTICS STAFF | HEAD COACH MARK WILLIAMS | HEAD COACH GYMANSTICS STAFF another in 1981 as a graduate assistant coach. Ten years later, Williams was on the coaching THE WILLAMS FAMILY staff that produced OU’s third National Championship in 1991.

“My stint as a collegiate athlete was one of the best times in my life,” Williams said. “The In 2002, Williams made OU just the ninth program in NCAA history to win back-to-back excitement of being part of a great team is indescribable. There are very few opportuni- NCAA titles after finishing 26-0 and winning the NCAA Championship in Philadelphia, Pa. ties for gymnasts to feel that unity outside a university setting. I’ve coached hundreds of The 2005 and 2006 Sooners repeated the feat, going 31-0 in 2006 and capturing consecu- athletes in my career and not one has ever come to me with any regrets about choosing tive titles for the second time in Williams’ tenure. college gymnastics. I’ve been a coach at all levels and all have their benefits, but to me, the combination of athletics and education, plus the support and camaraderie of a team, make Williams’ success doesn’t stop at the NCAA level. He has earned the respect of the gymnas- NCAA gymnastics something special.” tics nation by coaching at every level of the sport, from beginners to Olympians. Williams graduated from Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education/English Although Williams has returned gymnastics at OU to the top of the sport, another one of his and completed his master’s degree in journalism at OU with a 4.0. primary goals as head coach was to revitalize OU’s presence on the international gymnastics scene. With Horton at the 2008 Olympic Games and Young at the 2004 Athens Games, Williams married to wife Susan in May of 1998. The couple welcomed their first child, son Williams has achieved just that. Cooper, in 2007.

Outside of coaching on the collegiate level, Williams was on the international scene at the 2008 Summer Beijing Olympics when Horton was selected to represent his country. Horton did his part in leading the underdog U.S. team to a bronze medal, while collecting a individual silver medal on the high bar. “I knew when I was hired that In 2004, Williams was again on the world scene, where he helped guide Young, then an OU assistant coach, to the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Young had been coached by Williams since he was 11 years old and, at the age of 27, Young achieved his goal of com- this was my dream job...” peting for the U.S. at the Olympics with Williams at his side. Not only did Young compete in the games, but his performance helped the team earn silver, the first team medal for the Head Coach Mark Williams U.S. since 1984.

“Mark is not only a good coach but a good friend,” said Young. “He was able to take a young boy who could not even do the splits and made him into an Olympic silver medalist. One of Mark’s strengths as a coach is his ability to unite a team. His dedication to the team is something I respect and aspire toward.”

34 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977

Q: What was it like to be at the Olympics in Beijing? Q: How are the returning five All-Americans progressing from last year? A: To be at the Olympics is not all that different than what you are doing on a STAFF Q & A WITH MARK WILLIAMS | GYMNASTICS daily basis to prepare athletes for a major competition, but it is at a grander scale. A: I think they have picked up where they left off. Steven (Legendre) is doing It was a thrill to be a part of the Olympics and this was the third one I have been a more difficult floor and vaults this year and everybody has had to change what part of. It is a huge reward to see an athlete you have been training with reach the they have been doing based on the code of points and rule changes. I think all of highest level of their sport. To be out there with Jon and the best athletes in the those guys are going to be great leaders for us this year. world, and to represent your country, is a thrilling experience. Q: What do you expect for this year? Q: What effect has Jonathan Horton’s Olympic success had on the program? A: Our expectations are the same every year, and that is to compete for a conference and national championship. However, for us to do that, we will need A: Those who have worked and trained next to him, and seen what he has to reach some milestones along the way and compete consistently and at a high done, have benefited the most. The guys here have had a first hand view of level. Right now, we are doing what we need to do and hopefully we will get to looking at what that experience is all about and have an idea of how it is done. those things as we go down the road. To reach that level of success is just a matter of sticking with a plan and letting it gradually progress where you are competing with the best in the country and then, Are the gymnasts getting more comfortable with the ultimately, with the best in the world. It certainly puts things into perspective, Q: now the guys in our program believe that competing with the best in the world is points system from a year ago? possible. A: I believe so. They have a year behind them in using the new point system. It Q: What does it say about the program to have Steven is not nearly as big a jump as we had to make last year. Our first couple of meets Legendre on the U.S. Senior National Team? were so different than what they had been used to and I think that we have already been through that phase. Now, it is just a matter of tweaking some things and making whatever changes there are to the rules. A: I think that Steven had earned that position based on his performance at the USA Championships. By putting Steven on the National Team, it allows him to represent the USA and it also helps to motivate him to train to be in the mix for 2012 and make the next Olympic team.

Under Williams, Oklahoma has won fiveNCAA titles, eight conference titles, 92 All-America honors, 14 individual national champions and 29 individual conference champions in nine seasons. SOONERSPORTS.COM 35 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS ASSISTANT COACH Fourth Year at OU | Alma Mater: Kharkov State, 1997 2008 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year

One of the main reasons for the sustained excellence of the University of Oklahoma men’s gymnastics team has been head coach Mark Williams’ ability to surround himself with a superior staff. Rustam Sharipov is no exception. Sharipov brings the experience of three Olympic medals, including two golds, to Norman.

In his first year as an OU assistant, the Ukraine native was named National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year as he helped lead the Sooners to the 2006 National Championship. In 2008, Sharipov and the Sooners duplicated that feat with the program’s eighth National title.

After retiring from competitive gymnastics in 2000, Sharipov moved to the United States and began his coaching career at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Norman. After spending one year in Norman, Sharipov accepted a coaching position at Education the Houston Gymnastics Academy where he worked with some of the top gymnasts in the nation, including U.S. National Team • Kharkov State (1997) members and Todd Thornton. In 2004, he was the head coach for the U.S. Team that won the gold medal at the Junior Pacific Alliance Competition and in 2002 was the coach of the U.S. Team that took gold at the Junior Pan American Coaching Experience Games. • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (2005-present) • Houston Gymnastics Academy (2001-05) As a gymnast, Sharipov burst on the scene in 1989 as the Soviet junior national champion and, shortly afterward, brought home • Bart Conner Gymnastics (2000-01) the all-around championship at the 1990 U.S. Olympic Cup. Sharipov put on a show at the 1992 European Championships, win-

Coaching Accomplishments ning the high bar and taking second on the parallel bars. He also took first on the parallel bars at the CIS Championships and • 2008 National Champions the DTB Cup, and added a high bar championship at the Tokyo Cup. Sharipov also helped the Unified Team to an Olympic Gold • 2008 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year Medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. • 2006 National Champions • 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year Sharipov did not slow down in ’93, taking first in the all-around at both the Nikon International and the International Cham- GYMANSTICS STAFF | ASSISTANT COACH RUSTAM SHARIPOV SHARIPOV RUSTAM COACH | ASSISTANT GYMANSTICS STAFF • 2004 Head Coach, Gold Medal Jr. Pacific Alliance Team pionships of , along with a third-place finish in the event at the European Cup. At the 1994 World Championships, • 2002 Head Coach of Gold Medal Jr. PanAm Team Sharipov was a member of the third-place team and was the • 1992 “Master of Sport,” Soviet Union runner-up on the parallel bars. Gymnastics Accomplishments • 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist on Parallel Bars In 1995, after winning championships on the parallel bars at • 1996 Bronze Medal Olympic Team (Ukraine) the French International and the Cottbus International along • 1996 World Parallel Bars Champion with an all-around title at the International Championships • 1996 European Parallel Bars Champion of Romania, Sharipov had an impressive showing at the • 1995 High Bar Gold Medalist at European Cup European Cup, winning gold on high bar and parallel bars. • 1995 P-Bars Co-Gold Medalist at European Cup He followed that up in 1996 with perhaps the best year of his • 1995 Fifth in All-Around at European Cup career, taking first on the parallel bars at the European • 1995 Championships of Romania AA Champion • 1995 Cottbus International Parallel Bars Champion Championships before adding the championship on the ap- • 1995 French International Parallel Bars Champion paratus at the World Championships. • 1994 World Parallel Bars Runner-Up • 1994 World Championships Third Place Team The crowning moment for Sharipov came in 1996 in Atlanta, • 1994 European Parallel Bars Co-Champion Ga., where Sharipov won the Olympic gold medal on the • 1994 Chunichi Cup AA and Still Rings Champion parallel bars and was a member of the bronze-medal • 1993 Third Place in All-Around at European Cup Ukrainian team. • 1993 Championships of Romania AA, SR, PB and

HB Champion • 1993 First Place Team at Diet Coke Mixed Duos A 1997 graduate of Kharkov State in Ukraine, Sharipov was • 1993 Nikon International AA and P-Bars Champion awarded the title of Master of Sport in 1992. The honor • 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Team (Unified Team) represents the highest athletic level that one can reach in • 1992 European High Bar Champion the former Soviet Union. Sharipov, and his wife Amber have • 1992 European Parallel Bars Runner-Up three daughters, Ksenia, 5, Maya, 3 and Isabella, born July • 1992 CIS Championships Parallel Bars Champion 2007. • 1992 DTB Cup Parallel Bars Champion • 1992 Tokyo Cup High Bar Champion • 1991 Alternate on World Champion Soviet Team • 1990 U.S. Olympic Cup All-Around Winner • 1989 Soviet Junior National Champion THE SHARIPOV FAMILY 36 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 ASSISTANT COACH DANIEL FURNEY

Fourth Year at OU | Alma Mater: Oklahoma, 2004 ASSISTANT COACH STAFF DANIEL FURNEY | GYMNASTICS 2008 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year

Keeping it in the family has been a familiar theme throughout the coaching ranks and that trend is represented by the men’s gymnastics team at the University of Oklahoma. Former OU gymnast and 2003 Nissen Emery award winner Daniel Furney begins his forth season as an assistant coach at his alma mater.

Whether as a student-athlete or assistant coach, the Sooners have enjoyed four national championship runs with Furney on campus. The four-year letterwinner led OU to the 2002 and 2003 NCAA titles and then duplicated that accomplishment as an assistant coach in 2006 and 2008. Furney was tabbed, along with current assistant coach Rustam Sharipov, as the National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008.

“As the national all-around champion and Nissen Emery award winner in 2003, Daniel had one of the most prestigious Education careers in this program’s history,” said head coach Mark WIlliams. “Since he’s had that experience here as a student-athlete, • B.A. Communications (Oklahoma, 2004) he is able to impart a lot of knowledge to our current student-athletes.” • M.Ed. Higher Education (Oklahoma, 2005) “I feel extremely privileged to be a member of the coaching staff of the best program in the nation,” said Furney. “I enjoy not Coaching Experience just being a coach, but being a mentor for these young men, both athletically and academically. It’s a great honor to be able • Assistant Coach, Oklahoma (2005-present) to have the opportunity to build upon the tradition that I was a part of at OU as a student-athlete.” Coaching Accomplishments • 2008 National Champions One of the most decorated gymnasts in the program’s history, Furney was named the school’s fifth Nissen Emery winner • 2008 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year prior to the 2003 NCAA Championships. That was just the start of a successful championship weekend for the then-senior. • 2006 National Champions • 2006 National Co-Assistant Coach of the Year Besides helping the Sooners to their second straight national championship and a perfect 26-0 record, Furney was the NCAA all-around champion with a score of 56.100. The all-around wasn’t the only event that Furney picked up a NCAA individual Gymnastics Accomplishments championship on as he won the title on the parallel bars a day later. • 2003 Nissen Emery Award Winner • 2003 Member of NCAA Championship Team Furney’s nine career All-America honors is tied for second most in OU history with Bart Conner. His most successful year • 2003 NCAA All-Around Champion • 2003 NCAA Parallel Bars Champion was in 2003 when he earned four All-America honors (all-around, vault, parallel bars, high bar). In 2002, Furney picked up • 2003 NCAA All-Around All-American All-America honors on the vault, high bar and all-around and in 2001 on the pommel horse and p-bars. • 2003 NCAA Vault All-American • 2003 NCAA Parallel Bars All-American Furney also picked up two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation individual conference championships in the all-around in • 2003 NCAA High Bar All-American 2003 and on the pommel horse, also in 2003. In addition, he was a member of the three conference championships teams • 2003 MPSF All-Around Champion at OU. • 2002 Member of NCAA Championship Team • 2002 NCAA All-Around All-American A former U.S. Senior National Team member (2001-02), Furney shares OU’s vault record of 9.7 with Jock Stevens. • 2002 NCAA Vault All-American • 2002 NCAA High Bar All-American • 2001 NCAA Pommel Horse All-American Furney graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2004 with a degree in communications. He then received his master’s • 2001 NCAA Parallel Bars All-American from OU in higher education administration with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics in May of 2005. • 2000 MPSF Pommel Horse Champion A native of San Antonio, Texas, Furney was married on Aug. 20, 2005, to the former Emily Land.

DANIEL AND EMILY FURNEY SOONERSPORTS.COM 37 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS GYMNASTICS SUPPORT STAFF

Dr. David Holden Jamie Henderson Team Physician Graduate Manager Assistant Athletic Trainer

Dr. David Holden, a board certified orthopedic surgeon from the McBride Clinic Jamie Henderson was a four-year letterman at Oklahoma from 2003 to 2006 in , returns for his 10th year with the Oklahoma men’s gymnas- and a five-time All-American on the pommel horse and still rings for the tics program. Sooners.

A graduate of Duke University and the University of Texas Medical School in The Crosby, Texas, native was a member of three NCAA National Championship Houston, Holden serves as a clinical instructor at the University of Oklahoma teams in 2006, 2005, and 2003 and served as a team captain his senior year. Medical School and is a member of various professional organizations includ- ing the AMA, OSMA, OCMA, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine After completing his bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Henderson returns as the and is a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. team gaduate manager.

Holden served as the U.S. athletes’ 2000 Swim Team Physician for the Henderson is working on a master’s degree in fine arts, focusing on sculpture. Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and as a team physician for the U.S. Olympics in 1994 and 1995.

Holden occasionally travels with the team to competitions and makes bi- weekly visits to the training facility to medically evaluate student-athletes. Lindy Roberts GYMANSTICS STAFF | SUPPORT STAFF GYMANSTICS STAFF Jennifer Cappuzzo, Director of Event Management MA, ATC (Sport Administrator) Assistant Athletic Trainer Danny Davis Jennifer Cappuzzo enters her second year as an athletic trainer at the Director of Event Operations University of Oklahoma. Assistant Athletic Trainer

Cappuzzo earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from West Virginia University and obtained a master of arts degree in health studies/sports Danny Haynor medicine health care from The University of Alabama where she served as the athletic trainer for the softball team. Event Management Assistant Athletic Trainer She has served as the athletic trainer for the women’s soccer and women’s bas- ketball teams at St. Mary’s College of California and with the 2005 and 2006 national championship women’s gymnastics team at the University of Georgia. Debbie Copp Director of Publications At OU, Cappuzzo, a Hamburg, N.Y. native, is responsible for the daily care, treatment, rehab and prevention of injuries for the men’s and women’s gym- Assistant Athletic Trainer nastics programs. Scott Matthews Josh Agee Director of Graphic Design Assistant Athletic Trainer Athletic Trainer, ATC Assistant Athletic Trainer Ashley Gloystein A Certified Athletic Trainer, Josh Agee came to the University of Oklahoma in Marketing August from the University of Central Missouri. A native of Republic, Mo. he is Assistant Athletic Trainer in his first year with the men’s gymnastics program.

While earning his undergraduate degree, he worked with the Central Missouri Annette Moran athletic department as a athletic trainer for football and basketball. Academic Advisor During 2007, he worked as in intern trainer for the Seattle Supersonics. Assistant Athletic Trainer

He is currently working towards his master’s degree in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration. Lisa CavanaughAssistant Athle Meet Directorer

38 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977 UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

David L. Boren DAVID STAFF | GYMNASTICS L. BOREN 13th President at Oklahoma

David L. Boren, who has served Oklahoma as governor and U.S. commitment to reform, leading numerous efforts to make Technology Center; and the $83.5 million stadium project. The senator, became the thirteenth president of the University of government work better for American citizens. As chairman of Health Sciences Center has a new Student Union, and the new Oklahoma in November 1994. He is the first person in state the Senate Intelligence Committee, he strengthened oversight $24 million Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center. history to have served in all three positions. of secret government programs and reformed the procedures for Presidential notice of such programs to Congress. Boren is widely respected for his academic credentials, his Presidential Travel Scholarships, students from 111 countries longtime support of education, and for his distinguished politi- For more than 10 years, he led the fight for congressional on campus, more reciprocal international exchange agree- cal career as a reformer of the American political system. A campaign finance reform and for legislation discouraging ments than any other university and the new International graduate of Yale University in 1963, Boren majored in American administration and congressional staff from cashing in on Programs Center are all making OU more international. The new history, graduated in the top one percent of his class and was government experience and contacts by becoming lobbyists. Honors College helps to assure that no students need to leave elected Phi Beta Kappa. He was selected as a Rhodes Scholar In addition, he introduced legislation seeking to limit gifts and Oklahoma to find an educational experience to match their and earned a master’s degree in politics, philosophy and travel subsidies that government workers, including members potential. economics from Oxford University, England, in 1965. of Congress, can receive from lobbyists. Boren also chaired the special 1992-93 Joint Committee on the Organization In 1995, Boren launched the “Reach for Excellence” fundraising In 1968, he received a law degree from the University of of Congress, which produced proposals to make Congress campaign with a five-year goal of $200 million, which was Oklahoma College of Law, where he was on the Law Review, more efficient and responsive by streamlining congressional twice as large as any fundraising drive in Oklahoma history. The elected to the Order of the Coif, and won the Bledsoe Prize as bureaucracy, reducing staff sizes and reforming procedures to drive exceeded $500 million, raising OU into the top 15 public the outstanding graduate by a vote of the faculty. end legislative gridlock. universities in the United States in private endowment per capita. Since 1994, endowed professorships have more than As Oklahoma’s governor from 1974 through 1978, Boren Boren left the U.S. Senate in 1994 with an approval rating of quadrupled and the OU donor base has grown from 18,000 promoted key educational initiatives that have had an enduring 9l percent after being reelected with 83 percent of the vote to more than 107,000 friends and alumni. During the first impact on Oklahoma. Established during his tenure were the in 1990, the highest percentage in the nation in a U.S. Senate 10 years of Boren’s tenure over $1 billion in private gifts were Oklahoma Arts Institute, the Scholar-Leadership Enrichment contest in that election year. donated to the university. Program, and the Oklahoma Physicians Manpower Training Program, which provides scholarships for medical students Boren served from 1988 to 1997 as a member of the Yale Uni- Above all, the Boren years have been marked by an emphasis and medical personnel who commit to practice in underserved versity Board of Trustees. His university experience also includes on putting students first. There is not a university president in rural areas. Also, the first state funding for Gifted and Talented four years on the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University, where the country that is more committed to students as his number classes was provided in 1976 and, from 1976 through 1978, he was chairman of the Department of Political Science and one priority. He teaches a freshman-level course in political Oklahoma ranked first among all states in the percentage chairman of the Division of Social Sciences. In 1993, the Ameri- science each semester and is one of the few presidents of major increases of funding for higher education. can Association of University Professors presented Boren with universities to teach. the Henry Yost Award as Education Advocate of the Year. In April One of Boren’s most far-reaching projects in promoting quality 2004, Boren received the Mory’s Cup from the Mory’s Associa- Boren is married to Molly Shi Boren, a former judge and English education at all levels is the Oklahoma Foundation for Excel- tion at Yale University. In making the presentation to Boren it teacher. Mrs. Boren is President Emeritus of the Oklahoma lence, which he founded in 1985. The foundation recognizes was noted that he was the first Yale graduate in the university’s Arts Institute, which provides education programs in nine arts outstanding public school students and teachers and helps history extending over three centuries to have served as a disciplines for high school students from across the state who establish private local foundations to help give academic Governor, U.S. Senator and President of a major university. are gifted in the arts. Molly Boren has two degrees from the endowment grants to local public schools. As a senator, he University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in English and a Juris was the author of the National Security Education Act in 1992, Under Boren’s leadership, the University of Oklahoma has Doctorate from the OU College of Law. A native of Seminole, which provides scholarships for study abroad and for learning developed and emerged as a “pacesetter university in American Boren has two children, Carrie Christine Boren, an Episcopal additional languages, as well as legislation to restore the tax public higher education,” with 20 major new programs initiated minister, and David Daniel Boren, a member of the United deductibility of gifts of appreciated property to universities in since his inauguration. They include establishment of the Hon- States Congress from Oklahoma. Devoting much of his life to 1993. ors College, the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of public service, Boren drew from the example of his parents, the the American West, a new expository writing program for fresh- late Congressman Lyle H. Boren and Christine Boren. Boren, also a former state legislator, spent nearly three decades men modeled on the program at Harvard, an interdisciplinary in elective politics before becoming the president of the religious studies program, the Artist-in-Residence Program, the University of Oklahoma. Boren was the youngest governor International Programs Center, and the Faculty-in-Residence in the nation when he served from 1974 to 1978. Known as Program putting faculty family apartments in student residence a reformer, Boren campaigned with a broom as his symbol. halls. The Retired Professors Program has been started, bring- During his term, he instituted many progressive programs, ing 50 retired full professors back to the University to teach including conflict-of-interest rules, campaign-financing freshmen. disclosure, stronger open meeting laws for public bodies, more competitive bidding on state government contracts, and reform The number of new facilities started or completed on the cam- of the state’s prison system, including expanded education pus during the Boren years has matched the explosion in new programs for first-time offenders and the largest expansion of programs. Since 1994, almost $1 billion in construction projects the work-release program in state history. have been completed or are under way on OU’s three campuses. Among the largest of the recent projects are the $18.7 million During his time in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1994, Boren renovation and expansion of historic Holmberg Hall, home of served on the Senate Finance and Agriculture Committees music and dance programs; the $67 million National Weather and was the longest-serving chairman of the Senate Select Center; the $19 million addition to the Michael F. Price College Committee on Intelligence. From his days as a state legislator of Business; the $17 million Gaylord Hall for journalism and and governor of Oklahoma to Washington, Boren carried a mass communication; the $27 million Stephenson Research and SOONERSPORTS.COM 39 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS VP/ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

Joe Castiglione 11th Year at Oklahoma

Principle Centered Leader …Visionary ... Passionate Advocate for have to look at their AD who started and completed his master’s as director of athletic fund-raising at Georgetown before being Student-Athletes ... Establishes Standards of Excellence & Cultural degree while running the department and maintaining his hired in 1981 at Missouri as director of communications and Values ... Builder of Championship Programs priorities to his family. He quickly put his experience to use as an marketing. adjunct professor in the College of Education teaching a graduate Active on the national and conference level, he is currently serv- Each of those characteristics, standing alone, describes the class in Marketing & Development. ing on the Gatorade Collegiate Advisory Board and the National 11th director of athletics in University of Oklahoma history. Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Board However, just as he has brought together different groups who The 11th director of athletics at the University of Oklahoma has of Directors. He served two terms as chair of the Big 12 Board are committed to one goal, you must combine those traits to get celebrated seven national team championships and over 40 con- of Athletics Directors and is a past president of the Division I-A the complete picture of the person who has led the OU athletics ference team titles; record numbers of graduating student-ath- Athletic Directors Association and NACDA. He served a four-year department since 1998. letes and record-setting grade point averages for Sooner teams; term on the NCAA Championship/Competition Cabinet and the dramatically increased donor giving; huge increases in ticket sales NCAA Baseball Committee and is a past member of the NCAA Joe Castiglione has established a pattern of excellence that few in for all sports; major facility improvements, and development and Football Special Events Certification Committee. He recently his profession can match. In an environment where every decision construction of new facilities. And, as aggressive as the push to agreed to serve on the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic is made reflecting the department’s mission statement “Inspiring improve, expand and excel has been, he has produced a balanced Planning Committee and the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball champions today … Preparing leaders for tomorrow,” forming budget in every year of his tenure, a first since the early 1980s. Discussion Group. In 2007, he was named to the Phi Delta Theta the background, Castiglione is leading the department that has Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a highly requested speaker at written one of the most successful eras in school history. Credited with energizing OU’s fund-raising efforts, Castiglione annual conventions and continuing education institutes. was instrumental in the athletics department’s major campaign, GYMANSTICS STAFF | JOE CASTIGLIONEGYMANSTICS STAFF Quick to give credit to the student-athletes and coaches, the Great Expectations: The Campaign For Sooner Sports. The cam- A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Castiglione is married to the staff and the university administration, the donors and the fans, paign ended in November of 2003 with more than $125 million former Kristen Bartel, a 1990 graduate of the University of Mis- Castiglione was the one who implemented the changes that led raised. The figure has grown to almost $200 million since then as souri. They are the parents of two sons, Joseph Robert, Jr., (12) to success. When he was hired in 1998, the search committee the department continues its approach, and largest fund-raising and Jonathan Edmund (8). believed they had found a rising star in the field of intercollegiate effort in OU athletics history including projects that impact each athletics administration. Everything that has happened since his of OU’s nearly 500 student-athletes and has become a national Other highlights of Castiglione’s tenure include: arrival at OU has cemented that reputation. model. • An annual finish among the top 25 in the standings for the Director’s Cup which measures overall athletics success in eight of The accomplishments of the department and its student-athletes, Castiglione has cultivated over 20 multi-million dollar gifts, the last nine years, including an all-time program best of 15th in coaches and staff have earned national recognition for the univer- including the largest capital gifts in history for athletics at OU, 2003-2004. OU ranked 23rd in the 2007-08 standings. sity and the department. Recognized as the 2007 PRISM Award and some of the largest ever for the university as a whole. He • A total of 29 OU teams that have ranked among the top 10 in winner by the School of Sports Management at the University has driven dramatic facilities projects, including a $70 million season-ending polls. of Massachusetts, OU was just the second Division I winner renovation and expansion of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial • A school-record and Big 12-best graduation rate of 74% in 2003. and all of the programs recognized by the selection panel were Stadium. Others include a $17.2 million renovation of Lloyd Noble • Three appearances in the BCS National Championship Game and started under Castiglione’s leadership. The PRISM Award annually Center; phase I of The Headington Family Tennis Complex; John the college football national championship in 2000. recognizes one Division I intercollegiate athletics department Jacobs Track and Field Complex; the Everest Training Facility, one • Appearances by the men’s and women’s basketball teams in that demonstrates industry-leading excellence and innovation in of the largest indoor practice areas in the country; and construc- their respective Final Fours in 2002. sports management. tion of the Gregg & Betsy Wadley Indoor Tennis Center. Other • A Division I record of 74 combined victories produced by the projects completed in his tenure have included the redesign of the football team and both basketball squads in the 2001-02 school His commitment to the success of student-athletes led NCAA Sooner football practice fields; the Port Robertson Wrestling Facil- year. President Dr. Myles Brand to appoint him as chair of the Football ity; phase I & II of the Sooner Soccer Complex, expansion of the • An average of more than 17 out of 20 OU teams per year Academic Progress Rate (APR) Working Group in June of 2008. Viersen Gymnastics Pavilion as well as additional renovations to represented in postseason play. A total of 18 of OU’s 20 teams This group, which includes presidents, chancellors, conference the McCasland Field House; L. Dale Mitchell Park, the Charlie Coe advanced to NCAA competition in 2007-08 and conference titles commissioners, faculty athletics representatives, athletics Golf Learning Center, the OU Softball Complex and Barry Switzer were produced by football, men’s gymnastics and women’s directors and head football coaches, has been given the charge Center. His administrative work, which has seen significant gymnastics. to review the APR as it pertains to Division I football student- reorganization and the hiring of 12 head coaches, also included athletes. When the study is complete, the group will report back the negotiation of multi-million dollar multi-media rights to Dr. Brand and the NCAA Board of Directors with their findings, contract that produces more than $8 million in annual revenue evaluations and recommendations for improvement. for the athletics department. His leadership was instrumental as well as the Sooners added their 21st athletics team to the OU His peers have honored him for the department’s achievements family, women’s rowing (which will begin competition in the fall as well. In October 2004, the Bobby Dodd Foundation named of 2008) and the design and construction of the new McClendon him Athletics Director of the Year. In 2003, he was inducted into Boathouse on the Oklahoma River. the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators Hall of Fame. In June 2001, he received the General Robert R. Castiglione was hired on April 30, 1998, after serving as athletics Neyland Athletic Director Award for lifetime achievement from director at Missouri. In his 17-year career with the Tigers, Casti- the All-American Football Foundation. The National Association glione, who was named director of athletics at Missouri on Dec. of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named him Central 15, 1993, was credited with rebuilding sports programs, hiring Region AD of the Year in 2000. outstanding coaches, implementing an innovative master plan for facilities, inspiring record-setting increases in fund-raising and Perhaps his most unique achievement over the last 10 years balancing the budget in each of his five years as athletics director. for Castiglione, though, came when he received his master’s of A 1979 Maryland graduate, Castiglione received the University’s education degree from OU in May 2007. To understand the need Distinguished Alumnus Award in April 2007. He began his career for education and lifelong learning, OU’s student-athletes just as the sports promotions director at Rice. He then worked a year 40 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPS - 2008 | 2006 | 2005 | 2003 |2002 | 1991 | 1978 | 1977

Larry Naifeh Dr. Gerald Gurney Executive Associate Director of Athletics Senior Associate A.D. Academics and Student Life ADMINISTRATION | GYMNASTICS STAFFADMINISTRATION | GYMNASTICS

Jason Leonard Kenny Mossman Executive Director of Compliance Senior Associate A.D. Communications

Gloria Nevarez Greg Phillips Senior Associate A.D./Administration Senior Associate A.D./Chief Financial Officer

Billy Ray Johnson Dr. Nicki Moore Senior Associate A.D. Ticket Operations Assistant A.D. Psychological Resources

Luther Lee Merv Johnson Assistant A.D. Business Special Assistant to the Athletics Director

Matt Roberts Connie Dillon Assistant A.D. Development Faculty Athletics Representative

Greg Tipton Joe Washington Assistant A.D./Lloyd Noble Center General Manager Special Assistant to the Athletics Director, Executive Director, Varsity O Association

Charlie Taylor Assistant A.D. Marketing

ATHLETIC PHONE DIRECTORY Gymnastics, Men’s...... 8341 Unless otherwise noted, numbers are Gymnastics, Women’s...... 8333 (405) 325 + four-digit extension Marketing...... 7811 Media Relations...... 8231 Academics & Student Life...... 8265 Medical Training...... 8332 Administration...... 8200 O-Club...... 8224 Baseball...... 8354 Publications...... 8367 Basketball, Men’s...... 4732 Soccer...... 8296 Basketball, Women’s...... 8322 Softball...... 8361 Business & Finance...... 8440 SoonerSports.com...... 4274 Compliance ...... 8561 Sooner Sports Properties...... 2148 24 Hour Hotline...... 6479 SoonerVision...... 8261 Development & Sooner Club...... 8000 Spirit...... 8366 Toll Free...... (866) 766-6372 Strength & Conditioning...... 8330 Equipment...... 8379 Tennis, Men’s...... 8362 Events & Operations...... 8235 Tennis, Women’s...... 8325 Facilities...... 8290 Ticket Office...... 2424 Football...... 2345 Toll Free...... (800) 456-4668 Graphic Design...... 8223 Track & Field...... 8212 Golf, Men’s...... 8342 Volleyball...... 8364 Golf, Women’s...... 8343 Wrestling...... 8209 SOONERSPORTS.COM 41 2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS HEAD COACHES

Sunny Golloway Jeff Capel Baseball - Fifth year Men’s Basketball - Third year

Sherri Coale Martin Smith Women’s Basketball - 13th year Cross Country/Track & Field - Fourth year

Bob Stoops Jim Ragan Football - 10th year Men’s Golf - Ninth year

Carol Ludvigson Mark Williams Women’s Golf - 24th year Men’s Gymnastics - 10th year GYMANSTICS STAFF | HEAD COACHES GYMANSTICS STAFF

K.J. Kindler Nicole Nelson Women’s Gymnastics - Third year Soccer - First year

Patty Gasso Paul Lockwood Softball - 15th year Men’s Tennis - 22nd year

David Mullins Santiago Restrepo Women’s Tennis - First year Volleyball - Sixth year

Jack Spates Leanne Craine Wrestling - 16th year Rowing - First year

42 2009 OKLAHOMA MEN’S GYMNASTICS MEDIA GUIDE