Former LSU Men’s Gymnastic Teams Honored at LSU-Kentucky Football Game for Reunion Weekend

The LSU Men's Gymnastics Teams of the past were reunited this weekend and honored at the LSU vs. Kentucky football game Saturday, October 1, 2011 in Tiger Stadium.

LSU Men's Gymnastics ceased operations after the 1984 season, but that didn't stop the former coaches and team members from organizing a reunion. The LSU Men's Gymnastic program began in 1968 and was one of the elite teams in the country bringing home three NCAA individual championships during its existence.

The former Tigers began their reunion on Friday, September 30, 2011 with a game of golf at the University Club followed by a jambalaya dinner at Caesar Garcia's home in Baton Rouge Friday night. Garcia was a four-time letterman for the Tigers. Garcia is the owner of CG's Gymnastics in Baton Rouge, LA. He has continued his love for the sport by building a facility for young gymnasts to train and excel at the sport.

The group was excited to get together early Saturday morning for some good old "Tiger Tailgating" with the National "L Club" before watching the game against the Kentucky Wildcats. The Tigers prevailed in a 35-7 win over the Kentucky wildcats in a packed Tiger Stadium, where the team was officially recognized and honored for their accomplishments and place in LSU athletic history.

The reunion ended Sunday after a brunch with coaches and team members in attendance.

The LSU Men's Gymnastic Teams were coached by Jerry George from 1969 to 1970, Jerry Smith from 1971 to 1972 and Armando Vega from 1973 to 1984. The overall record for the Men's Gymnastics Teams was 189-78, with eight Top 10 finishes in the NCAA Championships, and two years as the NCAA national runner-up. The program also produced 22 All-Americans during its tenure.

Vega was responsible for moving the sport forward and gaining national recognition for the team with a 167-60 record, leading the team to runner up at the national championships two years in a row in 1975 and 1976, and being named the NCAA National Coach of the Year for two years in a row in 1977 and 1978.

Vega was super excited to get the teams and coaches back together for a reunion and had this to say about the event, "We were a very successful program, and I am elated to give the guys the recognition that they deserve. It has been so many years, so it is rather exciting to see all of them come back and take the time and effort to get the team back together and root on the Tigers this weekend."

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