NIU has lost its most successful coach on the national level with the immediate resignation of Chuck Ehrlich from the position of men’s gymnastics coach. The extent of his success and the significance of his contributions to the athletic program and NIU can be judged in part by this brief summary of his accomplishments over the past 17 years.

In the history of men’s athletics at NIU, there has been only one NCAA Division 1 champion in a sport other than gymnastics. Roy Conrad, a wrestler, won the championship in his weight division in 1960. Coach Ehrlich has developed five NCAA champions, six other gymnasts who placed in the top three, a total of 16 All-America gymnasts, and two members of the USA team. He has had at least one gymnast representing NIU in the NCAA meet each of his 17 years. Twice his entire team qualified and finished in the top six in the nation.

NIU had its first NCAA champion in 1978 and is tied for sixth place with Iowa State and Oklahoma in the total number (five) of individual championships won.

Coach Ehrlich is highly respected by his coaching colleagues both at all levels. He is especially recognized for his technical knowledge of the sport and his ability to take gymnasts with fundamental skills and potential and develop them into national competitors. His peers selected him three times as Outstanding Coach of the Mideast Region. He was selected twice to coach U.S. national teams in international competition at sites in Europe and Asia. His national and international reputation and the quality of his teams resulted in NIU being selected each time as one of five or six universities to host international teams on tour in the United States, the USSR team once, and the Japanese team on three occasions.

During his career at NIU, Coach Ehrlich was totally dedicated to his sport, the members of his teams, the intercollegiate program, and NIU. He loved to coach. He had high demands of his gymnasts, but no less of himself. He knew from his own experience and in guiding 10 of his gymnasts to 16 All- America titles that there is no easy way to attain that honor. One has to earn it.

The sudden resignation of Coach Ehrlich should cause one to wonder what present or accumulative concerns would compel him to make such a decision, particularly if one wishes to understand the timing of it. His accomplishments as a coach, and the outstanding achievements of his athletes, have consistently brought favorable comments to the athletic program and will not be forgotten by those who really care.

Hubert Dunn

Emeritus Faculty

NIU Gymnastics Coach, 1962-72