I think about it. We’ve been really close … but you’re right, we haven’t really won one in 20 years and it bothers us a little bit. But I don’t dwell on it. – Greg Marsden, on the fact Utah gymnastics hasn't won the national title in 20 years
SALT LAKE CITY — The reminders are strung atop the practice gym like banners at a county fair. Utah has been in the gymnastics business 40 years, counting this season, and there are 39 flags to mark its trips to the national championships.
The Utes have never missed the sport’s Big Dance (Big Routine?). Ten of the banners commemorate national titles. But it doesn’t take long to note the irony: They go to the championships every year, but haven’t won a title in two decades.
“You had to bring that up, didn’t you?” says coach Greg Marsden.
Twenty years don’t slip unnoticed past a man like that. Of course he thinks about it. Doesn't Tom Selleck think about turning down the lead as Indiana Jones?
So here they are, ranked No. 6 and starting another season on Friday against BYU. The goal is the same as always: taking home all the hardware.
“To be perfectly honest, I thought we were a top-three team last year and we demonstrated it all the way until we got to the championship,” Marsden says.
A meltdown on the beam killed their chances to make the Super Six.
“It’s our own fault,” he says.
In some ways, it’s nitpicky to note Marsden’s non-championships. He has finished second nationally eight times. Last year’s team gave Utah its first Pac-12 title in any sport and he and co-coach/wife Megan won conference Coach of the Year honors.
He started the program in 1975-76 and went on to become the sport’s dominant coach. He has more wins (1,018) and championships (10, tied) than anyone. Utah has led the nation in attendance 30 of the last 33 years, sometimes outdrawing men’s basketball. That’s partly because of scheduling. Nine of this year’s opponents are in the top 25. But Marsden isn’t particularly nervous. He scheduled similarly, even before he was in the Pac-12.
“I get up in the morning and it’s all I think about; all I want to do,” Marsden says, pointing to the practice mats. “I just love what I do and I love this place and love where I do it.”
Finishing anywhere but first, though, is a love/hate kind of thing.
So why hasn’t he won a championship since 1995? It’s not like he doesn't care. In 2000, 2006, 2007 and 2008 they finished second.
In 1993, Marsden was reprimanded by the NCAA for storming out of a meeting and in 2012 scolded by the Pac-12 for regular-season post-meet remarks. He had several public run-ins with former Georgia coach Susan Yoculan, who also has 10 championships. These things come up. But they apparently have no effect on his job security. While Megan is composed and logical, Greg stresses like he’s on a stopwatch. If not a coach, Megan could be a television anchor; Greg would be a better ring announcer.
A freshman recruiting class this year has lessened worries at the beam, which has been a vulnerability. Although Utah has enough talent to win a championship, it may not have enough experience.
Through the last four decades, other teams such as Georgia and Alabama crept in and chipped away at Utah’s foundation. But the addition of the Dumke Gymnastics Center in 1998 kept the Utes moving forward. Other schools followed.
Still, Marsden says he doesn’t lose sleep over missed championships.
“I think about it,” he admits. “We’ve been really close … but you’re right, we haven’t really won one in 20 years and it bothers us a little bit. But I don’t dwell on it.”
Along with high emotions, keeping humor and perspective are also Marsden traits. Although gymnastics was a selling point when Utah applied for Pac-12 inclusion, he freely admits it wasn’t the deciding factor.
“I love to think we were a part of it, but it would be naïve of me to think it’s not all about, No. 1, football,” he says. “But I know in the Pac-12, they were quick to take our championships and add them to their ‘Conference of Champions’ numbers.”
He cites facilities and support from administration and boosters for making it all possible.
“Have we won a championship lately? No. Have we had teams that could do that?” he says. “Yes.”
He pauses for a beat, before adding with a half-laugh, “So I guess at that point you have to blame the coaching.”
Decades later, he still wears his humor and honesty like a banner.
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