USU hires Jeff Graba as assistant gymnatics coach
Utah State head gymnastics coach Ray Corn announced this past week the hiring of Jeff Graba (Gray-buh) as an assistant coach. Graba is the co-owner of the Minneapolis club Midwest Gymnastics, where he has coached since 1995. He also served as an assistant coach at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn. from 1992-1998.
“I liked the staff, the program and the student-athletes,” said Graba. “I’m grew up on a farm outside a small town of less than 100 people. I like the opportunity Utah State gives me to raise my family in a smaller town.”
“As I talked with collegiate and USA Gymnastics coaches across the country, one name kept coming up,” said Corn. “It was Jeff Graba. He is a class act and someone I respect, both in and out of the gym.”
Graba has been the co-owner and head coach at Midwest Gymnastics since 1995. While there, he has coached three gymnasts who have qualified to Elite since 2000 and two top 10 finishers at Level 10 Nationals. Additionally, Graba worked with the 2003 Senior National Elite Champion at the American Challenge/Classic.
While at Hamline, the team made six consecutive trips to NCGA Nationals, and finished second in 1996. Graba coached 11 different gymnasts to a total of 26 NCGA All-America Awards in individual events and in the all-around.
“Jeff has great connections with many different Midwestern universities,” Corn said. “His collegiate gymnastics experience, both as a coach and from the club perspective, are a definite plus for all aspects of the Utah State program.”
“It’s a position that affords me a good opportunity and a good future,” Graba said. “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Corn and Coach (Ernestine) Russell.”
Graba and his wife Bridget have four children, Bryan (18), Jaymie (17), Jason (12) and Kyla (15 months).
Utah State gymnastics finished the 2003 season ranked 32nd in the nation, and was ranked as high as 22nd in late February. USU begins its 2004 season Jan. 17 at the Rocky Mountain Open, hosted by the Air Force Academy.
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