Gustavus Adolphus College has named Charles Aydt as head coach of its gymnastics team. Aydt brings over 35 years of coaching experience to Gustavus, where he will be the fifth head coach in the program’s history. He takes over for Katie Olson who served as interim head coach for the 2012-13 school year.
“I am proud to announce the hiring of Charlie Aydt as our head gymnastics coach,” said Athletic Director Tom Brown. “Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. He is well respected in the gymnastics community, which will help in the recruitment of top student-athletes to Gustavus.”
A native of Rogers, Minn., Aydt has served as an independent gymnastics consultant since 1995. He assisted with coaching duties while also mentoring pre-college bound student-athletes in customized programs within that time.
Over the past 15 years, Aydt has also served as a gymnastics judge, working an average of 50 meets per year and serving as a Minnesota High School Gymnastics State Meet Judge in 2013.
Aydt’s coaching career began at the high school level following his graduation from Augsburg College in 1978. While still earning his degree in physical education from Augsburg, he served as the head coach at Robbinsdale High School (1975-79) and was the owner of the North Star Gymnastics Club in Brooklyn Park (1975-85). Aydt then enjoyed coaching stints at Park Center High School (1978-80) and Eden Prairie High School (1986-88, 1991). He coached Park Center to a state championship in `79 and Eden Prairie to state titles in `87, `88, and `91.
Following his coaching experiences at the high school level, Aydt moved into club gymnastics in the mid-80’s. He was a director and head coach at the Academy of Artistic Gymnastics in Eden Prairie from 1985-1990, then was the head coach at the North Shore Gymnastics Club in Long Lake from 1990-95.
Throughout his years of service within the gymnastics community, Aydt has worked with all levels of gymnasts, developed and implemented new gymnastics programs, and has extensive experience in the areas of programming, supervision, and budget management. At the Academy of Artistic Gymnastics, he oversaw the club as it grew from 80 participants at its infancy to over 450 students by 1990.
Aydt follows in the footsteps of former head coaches Nancy Baker, Jerry Connolly, Kris Glidden, and Katie Olson. The Gustavus gymnastics program is home to eight national championships, 55 All-Americans, and 18 national event champions.
“It’s a great honor to take over at such a prominent institution,” said Aydt. “I’m excited about the opportunity to rebuild a program with such a great history and I see a great deal of potential within these walls.”
Charles lives in Rogers, Minn. with his wife, Mary.
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