PROVO -- Just when the BYU men's gymnastics program was soaring, the school's administration decided to ground it.
Last April, BYU announced plans to drop the sport (as well as wrestling), in part to enhance the number of athletic opportunities for women on campus.But the announcement blindsided those associated with the gymnastics program.
The Cougars have posted back-to-back fifth-place finishes at nationals the last two seasons and boast NCAA individual champions Guard Young and Courtney Bramwell.
No matter.
When the season ends, the plug will be pulled on the program. Today, the Cougars will stage their final home appearance ever in a three-team meet with Temple and Washington at 7 p.m. at the Smith Fieldhouse.
Yet the Cougars aren't focusing so much on their sport's death sentence but rather on what they can accomplish this season.
"The guys are real pumped," said coach Mako Sakamoto. "We're under pressure. We'll see if we can break our record of 228. If we do, I just may buy them dinner. We're all positive. We want to go out with a bang, with a record. That's what we're after."
The BYU gymnasts want to show the administration it is making a mistake by finishing in the top three at nationals and, maybe, winning the national championship, said assistant coach Kenzo Koshimura.
"It's not a feeling of revenge, but we want to show them what we can do," said Koshimura. "Hopefully that will get us more support."
BYU's last home event "is bittersweet," added Koshimura, who competed for BYU from 1992-96. "It's like when you're a senior and in your last meet, but even more emotional. Typically, when you're a senior, you know your team will still be here. It's a hard feeling. I don't feel good about what's happening."
BYU has fielded a men's gymnastics team since 1966 and has enjoyed a solid tradition. When Sakamoto took the helm in 1987, he lifted the program to new heights, coaching five All-Americans, including Young and Bramwell.
Young won the 1999 NCAA vault championship and earned All-American status on the floor exercise (2nd), high bar (5th) and all-around (4th). A member of the U.S. national team, Young took home a gold medal in the floor exercise last week in Sydney, Australia, at the 2000 International Challenge. His sights are set on competing in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney this fall.
Bramwell has been ranked No. 1 in the still rings since last year. In 1999, he was executed a perfect 10 performance on the rings, a first for a BYU male gymnast, and won the NCAA rings title.
Admission to today's final meet is free to the public.