INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 10, 2009 – Ron Brant, who has served as the men’s national team coordinator since 2000, has accepted a position with the U.S. Olympic Committee in its sports performance division. Brant will continue as men’s national team coordinator through the conclusion of the 2009 World Gymnastics Championships in London. During Brant’s tenure as national team coordinator, the U.S. men have earned three gold, two silver and two bronze medals at world championships and one gold, three silver and one bronze at the Olympic Games; earned first back-to-back Olympic team medals; and the best Olympic medal performances since 1984 and best world medal tally since 1979.

Steve Penny, president
“Ron has been an incredible leader for the men’s national team over the past eight years. His efforts and strategic planning have resulted in outstanding accomplishments, including an historic back-to-back team medal performance at the past two Olympic Games. Together, with the support of the coaches and others associated with men’s program, Ron has raised the bar on our goals and expectations for success, which will be a strong legacy to his efforts. We wish him all the best at the USOC and look forward to working with him in his new role.”

Ron Galimore, vice president, events, international relations and men’s program
“Ron has made significant contributions to men’s gymnastics in the USA throughout his career, which began as a gymnast at the University of Illinois and most recently as the men’s national team coordinator. He has been a student of the sport for decades, always searching for answers to how to make his gymnasts better and how to get the U.S. men’s team on the podium at the World Championships and Olympic Games. While Ron’s influence will be missed by everyone involved in the men’s program, we also recognize that all sports within the Olympic movement can benefit from his leadership, knowledge and expertise. He will be an asset to the USOC, as he was to USA Gymnastics.”

Dennis McIntyre, director of men’s program
“Ron Brant has had a tremendous impact on the success of the men’s program in the United States — first as a coach, then as the director of the U.S. Olympic Training Center Resident Program and finally as the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics. While I am very sorry to see Ron leave USA Gymnastics, I am excited that he will be working with all disciplines of gymnastics as part of his duties as a high performance director in the Sports Performance Division at the USOC. I know that the USOC will benefit from his work ethic, his passion for excellence and the professionalism that Ron always demonstrated when working with the athletes and the coaches on behalf of USA Gymnastics.”

 

USOC Hires Ron Brant as High Performance Director
USOC Release

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Ron Brant, who has served as the men’s national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics since 2000, has accepted a position with the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) as the High Performance Director in the USOC’s Sports Performance Division, the organization announced today.

Brant will continue as men’s national team coordinator through the conclusion of the 2009 World Gymnastics Championships in London. After he joins the USOC, Brant will work alongside Sports Performance Team Leader Rachel Isaacs and help guide the high performance initiatives for 10 Olympic and Paralympic sports including boxing, diving, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, synchronized swimming, taekwondo, wrestling and boccia.

"Ron embodies those characteristics that will allow the USOC to better service the needs of U.S. athletes and the National Governing Bodies," said Mike English, USOC Chief of Sport Performance. "His proven track record with USA Gymnastics combined with his dedication to ensuring athletes, coaches and teams can achieve competitive excellence makes him a valuable asset."

During Brant’s tenure as national team coordinator, the U.S. men have earned three gold, two silver and two bronze medals at world championships and one gold, three silver and one bronze at the Olympic Games; earned first back-to-back Olympic team medals; and the best Olympic medal performances since 1984 and best world medal tally since 1979.

From 1990-2000, he served as the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Training Center Resident Men’s Gymnastics Team in Colorado Springs. In that time, Brant helped develop three Olympians, 10 World Team members and a World silver medalist.

"Ron has been an incredible leader for the men’s national team over the past eight years," said Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics. "His efforts and strategic planning have resulted in outstanding accomplishments, including an historic back-to-back team medal performance at the past two Olympic Games. Together, with the support of the coaches and others associated with men’s program, Ron has raised the bar on our goals and expectations for success, which will be a strong legacy to his efforts. We wish him all the best at the USOC and look forward to working with him in his new role."

Brant obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Park and Recreation Administration from the University of Illinois, Champaign, in 1981.