Mazeika named head coach for the 2007 U.S. Men’s World Championships Team

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 5, 2007 – 2004 U.S. Olympic Coach Kevin Mazeika of Houston was named head coach for the U.S. Men's Team that will compete in the 2007 World Championships, Sept. 1-9, in Stuttgart, Germany. Mazeika, who also led the men’s squad for the 2001 and 2003 World Championships, guided the U.S. Men’s Team to the team silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Mazeika was chosen by the Men’s Program Committee.

“Kevin has distinguished himself in this role at previous Olympic Games and the World Championships, earning him the respect and confidence of his peers and the athletes,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “This experience will surely play a role in creating a successful effort this fall in Stuttgart.”

Mazeika coached the U.S. Team to three of its most successful performances in recent history. The men’s silver team medal at the 2004 Olympics was the men’s best finish since they won the team gold medal in 1984, as well as the first team medal in a non-boycotted Olympics since 1932. The U.S. Men's Team also earned the team silver medal at both the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. Prior to the 2001, the men had not won a world team medal since 1979.

"I'm honored, grateful and very excited to serve as head coach for this year’s World Championships Team," said Mazeika. "We achieved our success in 2001, 2003 and 2004 via detailed planning and a total team effort, and we expect this same process to help us earn a berth to the 2008 Olympic Games and win medals in Stuttgart."

Currently, Mazeika is the head coach at the Houston Gymnastics Academy. Among the athletes he coaches are U.S. senior national team members Sean Golden, a member of the 2005 World Championships Team; Sean Townsend, 2001 parallel bars world champion and a member of the 2001 silver-medal World Championships Team; and Raj Bhavsar, 2004 U.S. Olympic Team alternate and a member of the 2001 and 2003 silver-medal World Championships Team. Mazeika began coaching men's gymnastics in 1984 and has served on the National Team Coaching Staff since 1988.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.