April 30, 2004
IOWA CITY, IA – Iowa Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach Mike Lorenzen has decided to resign and accept a marketing and promotions position at Camp Woodward. Lorenzen’s resignation becomes effective May 31.
“I’ve been offered a once in a lifetime job opportunity at Camp Woodward to follow in the steps of my mentor and I don’t feel that I can turn it down,” said Lorenzen. “I will continue to do recruiting work and everything I can to prepare the program for transition until my final date.”
Camp Woodward, located in Woodward, PA, is a year-round live-in training facility for elite gymnasts ranging from the international to youth level. The camp not only serves as a gymnastics training facility, but also hosts camps for extreme sports including inline skating, BMX freestyle and racing, skateboarding, snowboarding and freeski.
“Mike’s passion, creativity and professionalism will be greatly missed,” said Iowa Athletics Director Bob Bowlsby. “We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
During his tenure at Iowa, Lorenzen has transformed the women’s gymnastics program into a national contender. In 2004 the GymHawks achieved a national ranking of sixth, their highest in school history. The 2003 Iowa squad became the first team in school history to qualify for the NCAA Championships as a team and repeated that feat in 2004. Lorenzen has coached his gymnasts to four all-America and 12 all-Big Ten selections. He coached senior Alexis Maday, a member of his first recruiting class, to Big Ten Gymnast of the Year honors in 2004. Lorenzen has received numerous honors for his achievements. He was named co-Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2004 and 2001 and Region V Coach of the Year in 1999.
“Mike is responsible for putting Iowa gymnastics on the national map,” said Associate Athletics Director Mary Curtis. “He had a vision of what Iowa could be, he sold that dream to recruits, and together they achieved that dream.”