Somersaulting into a new fall semester is Auburn University's new women's gymnastics coach Jeff Graba, who arrived in Auburn last week.
Graba was named women's gymnastics coach by Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs in early August.
Graba came to Auburn from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where he worked as the assistant gymnastics coach since 2003.
Originally from Forest Lake, Minn., Graba's move to Auburn was not a total culture shock.
"I worked for a truck company, and it required me to do a lot of work in the Southeast," Graba said. "I really love the Auburn community."
As for moving from the metropolis of Salt Lake City to the small town of Auburn, Graba feels more at home than one would think.
Graba said the small town feel reminds him of his hometown.
"I love it here," he said. "It's great to be in a place like that."
Graba met with the team as a whole and the girls individually for the first time Friday.
"I want to use this time to get to know the team and for them to get to know me," Graba said.
As a youth, Graba was awarded a gymnastics scholarship to the Air Force Academy.
Instead, he elected to go to the University of Minnesota, where he competed on the University's gymnastics team and received his bachelor's degree in economics.
As a way to pay the bills, Graba got a job with the gymnastics team at North St. Paul High School in North St. Paul, Minn., where his passion for coaching gymnastics was discovered.
He remained there for four years.
In 1995, he opened his own gym in Minneapolis.
He continued coaching at the elite level for eight years and led many of his gymnasts to qualifications for the NCAA championship finals.
With five months until the season begins, Graba plans to hit the ground running.
By blending techniques he learned from Greg and Megan Marsden, the co-head coaches at Utah, with his own style, Graba hopes to bring success to Auburn gymnastics.
With his wife, Bridget, and two daughters, Shayla, 8, and Kyla, 6, still in Utah trying to sell their house, Graba's main focus is getting to work with the team.
"I am excited about this fun opportunity, and I look forward to being a part of the Auburn family," Graba said.
Graba is not the only one excited about the 2011 season with the Tigers; so are many Auburn gymnastics fans.
"I cannot wait for Auburn gymnastics," said April Hall, senior in English education. "I look forward to seeing the energy the new coach brings."
With 22 years of coaching gymnastics under his belt and the support of the Auburn family, Graba and the women's gymnastics team only have a few months to prepare for the season opener.
The first home gymnastics meet will be Jan. 14, 2011, at 7 p.m. in the new Auburn Arena.
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