Here are four members of the University of Georgia women's gymnastics squad, perhaps the greatest college sports dynasty you've never heard of, and certainly more flexible than Wooden's UCLA basketball teams.
Suzanne Yoculan, there in the middle, is retiring after having just coached Georgia to its 10th national championship, and fifth in a row, both record-tying feats. Although leaving while you're in your prime and still on top is definitely un-American. Clockwise from top right, that's seniors Courtney Kupets, Abby Stack, Tiffany Tolnay and Paige Burns.
This team is a little different. Please see this photo of Stack, submitted as exhibit A.
Other Georgia gymnastics facts:
• Jeff Foxworthy, cook Paula Deen, "Good Morning America" co-anchor Robin Roberts and Tennessee coach Pat Summitt all participated in a farewell video dedicated to Yoculan.
• On average, the Georgia gymnastics team outdrew the men's basketball team. Six home gymnastics meets drew an average of 9,727, with three sellouts. Bulldog basketball attendance averaged 6,622.
• Prior to the 2008-09 season, Yoculan tried to promote a charity stiletto race featuring her team in tights and spiked heels. But the administration vetoed it.
• In a home meet against Florida, the team came out wearing boxing gloves to the soundtrack of Rocky.
On why she's retiring:
"It will be interesting to figure out what else I'm passionate about, what else interests me," Yoculan said. "When you're the head coach of a championship program, you don't have a whole lot of time to do a whole lot else, to figure out what are your other interests. I'm not sure exactly what they are going to be. I'm excited to find out."
That's way too healthy and rational for me.
Gym Dogs Win 5th National Title In A Row [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
Gym Dogs Gallery [The Red And Black]
PHOTO: Courtesy of Red And Black
Abby Stack Photo: Courtesy of Red And Black