Getting an email from my college gymnastics coach the other day inspired me to dig out old photos of my team.That's Neil Schmitt, in black, on the right.I'm kneeling in the second row on the right.It says he was the assistant coach but he was really the Head Coach and what a great coach, and gymnast, he was.He could always demonstrate everything he wanted us to do, better than we could, and without a doubt is the greatest spotter I have ever known or seen.I have no doubt if Neil had been my High School coach I never would have crashed on the trick that blew out my knee.Here's the photo from the day I got my cast off my knee in 1974 and we were shooting the All City awards picture.I was not ready at all for what my knee and leg were going to look like and I was not a happy camper at all. Thats Kurt Thomas to my right.
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6 comments:
Wow! That is awesome and what a great reflection. How special to have a coach like that and I see where you get it from. Thanks Neil.
Joe,
Neil rocked.I just wish we would have had the sports medicine then that we do now.
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I live in Colorado and judge with Neil, first met him in the early 80's when he would drop into our gym in Loveland. He is as high quality, gracious and kind as anyone you can meet. His influence is immeasurable! Loved the article, i had seen some stories about the 69 championship team, and heard of the way Neil is thought of in Iowa, but this brings it home!
Yes Coach Schmitt was an amazing spotter. I’ll never forget I meet between University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa. I was the last competitor from UNI on the high bar. And Coach Schmitt was spotting for the Iowa gymnast. His routine was going very well and he was preparing for his dismount, a double back. Unfortunately he opened way too early and only competed one and a half rotations. He was way above the bar and was doing a nose dive. With cat like reflexes Coach Schmitt tackled him in mid air knocking out both Unconscious. The gymnast regained consciousness after a few minutes, but Coach Schmitt was out for at least five minutes, as I remember. It was one of the most heroic saves I’ve ever witnessed. And certainly coach Schmitt saved his life!
I don’t know how I was able to do my routine, with that image burned in my mind, but I completed my routine safely.
PS, My name is Mark DeVolder. I posted the comment above and competed in All Around on UNI's team until 1977.
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