Eastern Michigan Athletics

Gymnastics

Steve Wilce
Steve Wilce
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With Steve Wilce at the helm, Eastern Michigan University has been one of the premiere institutions for gymnastics, and Wilce’s passion and commitment to his team is apparent in the team’s success throughout the years.

His teams have been consistently among the best in the Mid-American Conference, and in 2007, the Eagles captured their first MAC title. His peers in the MAC have recognized him three times as the MAC Coach of Year, in 1987, 1989 and 1992. Several individual athletes have excelled under his tutelage, including the gymnast regarded as the best in EMU history, Natalie Hashimoto. During her career at EMU, she became the first gymnast to win the MAC Freshman of the Year award (2000), and two-consecutive MAC Gymnast of the Year honors (2001 and 2002) and MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year award (2003).

Six of his gymnasts have earned the MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year award, Natalie Hashimoto (2003), Kim Miller (1997), Jodi Fosberg (1995), Robin Loheide (1993), Allyson Newman (1992) and Jolene Worley (2008). Wilce has also coached a number of MAC Freshman of the Year awards, including J.J. Cullom in 1997, Rebecca Fuss in 2004, Jolene Worley in 2005, and Duyen Zu Vuong in 2006.

His athletes have also been recognized for their performances in the classroom as well. In 2013, the Eagles had 12 gymnasts named to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) scholar-athlete team. Additionally, Wilce’s Eagles have had notched double-digits in the number of Academic All-Americans in each of the past 12 seasons. Also since that time, Eastern Michigan gymnastics has produced more Academic All-Americans than any other school in the country, an impressive feat of both academics and athletics.

Wilce (2-2-56) began his term at Eastern Michigan after serving as the assistant gymnastics coach at Eastern Kentucky from 1974-79 and again in 1981-82. The 1982 squad won the AIAW Region II title, and the 1979 and 1981 teams finished second. The 1979 team also finished 14th in the nation.

In 1980, Wilce was an assistant at the University of Massachusetts, where the Minutemen finished third at the AIAW Region I championship.

Wilce received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Eastern Kentucky University in 1979 and a master’s degree in sports administration in 1981.

Wilce and his wife Devvon have three children, Danilyn (10-19-90), Deming (5-27-92) and Denae (2-13-95). Danilyn and Deming are currently students at EMU.

The Steve Wilce File
Name:        Steve Wilce    
College:      Eastern Kentucky University - Bachelor's degree in physical education - 1979
                  Eastern Kentucky University - Master's degree in sports administration - 1981
Family:       Wife-Devvon; Childen - Danilyn, Deming and Denae
    
Coaching Experience

Year    SchoolRecordMAC Champ. FinishHonors
2014Eastern Michigan University6-9, 2-4 MAC6th1 First Team All-MAC
2013Eastern Michigan University5-10, 0-6 MAC6th1  NCAA Regional qualifier
2012Eastern Michigan University10-9, 2-4 MACt-5th    9 earn MAC Academic Honors
2011Eastern Michigan University4-10, 2-4 MAC6th1 All-MAC
2010Eastern Michigan University7-9, 2-4 MAC3rd2 earn NCAA Regional bids
2009Eastern Michigan University6-10, 3-3 MAC5th2 earn NCAA Regional bids
2008Eastern Michigan University11-5, 3-3 MAC2ndMAC Gymnast of the Year
2007Eastern Michigan University10-8, 3-3 MAC1stMAC Champs/All-Around Champ.
2006Eastern Michigan University8-7, 3-3 MAC4th    MAC Freshman of the Year
2005Eastern Michigan University9-8; 3-3 MAC6th    MAC Freshman of the Year
2004Eastern Michigan University4-11 2-4 MAC3rd    MAC Freshman of the Year
2003Eastern Michigan University6-10, 2-4 MAC3rd
2002Eastern Michigan University15-9, 3-3 MAC4thMAC Gymnast of the Year
2001Eastern Michigan University10-6; 4-2 MAC3rdMAC Gymnast of the Year
2000Eastern Michigan University5-7; 1-5 MAC6thMAC Freshman of the Year
1999Eastern Michigan University4-6; 2-4 MAC6th
1998Eastern Michigan University2-5; 1-5 MAC6thMAC Beam co-Champ.
1997Eastern Michigan University6-2; 6-1 MAC3rdMAC Freshman of the Year
1996Eastern Michigan University8-4; 5-1 MAC4thMAC Beam/Floor Champ.
1995Eastern Michigan University8-3; 5-2 MAC3rd
1994Eastern Michigan University7-5; 1-3 MAC4th
1993Eastern Michigan University4-2; 2-3 MAC2ndMAC Beam/Floor/AA Champ.
1992Eastern Michigan University8-2; 5-0 MAC2ndMAC Coach of the Year/AA Champ.
1991Eastern Michigan University11-2; 4-1 MAC5thMAC Bars/All-Around Champ.
1990Eastern Michigan University13-2; 5-2 MAC3rd
1989Eastern Michigan University11-3; 4-2 MAC5thMAC Floor Champ.
1988Eastern Michigan University4-9; 0-4 MAC5thMAC Vault co-Champ.
1987Eastern Michigan University7-6; 3-2 MAC3rdCoach of the Year/MAC Bars Champ.
1986Eastern Michigan University8-5; 2-3 MAC4thMAC Beam/Vault/All-Around Champ.
1985Eastern Michigan University2-14; 1-4 MAC4thMAC Vault/All-Around Champ.
1984Eastern Michigan University2-18; 1-4 MAC5th
1983Eastern Michigan University7-6, 3-2 MAC3rd  MAC Bars Champ.
Career Record:228-222 (85-99 MAC)

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