A valued member of the coaching staff for the past 18 seasons, Slava Boiko brings a wealth of international competitive and coaching experience to the Penn State staff. Riding the successes of the Nittany Lions[apos] winning ways, Boiko assisted in bringing back the 2000 NCAA Championship to Penn State as well as capturing the team[apos]s 11th and 12th title in 2004 and 2007. His focus is on technique and execution of skills and routines.
[quote]Slava is the consummate technician,[quote] said Penn State head coach Randy Jepson. [quote]His experience and his knowledge, in terms of technical expertise, are unparalleled in the entire world. There isn[apos]t anything that he doesn[apos]t know about the technical aspects of gymnastics. His wealth of knowledge and experience are tremendous assets to us.[quote]
Boiko was a member of the Soviet Union National Team from 1969-76, winning 13 national championships during that span. After retiring from competition, Boiko was the men[apos]s gymnastics national coach and the head coach in the Center of Sport Club of Army in Moscow. Following that, he was the head coach of the Israeli National Team.
From 1972 until 1992, he was involved in coaching four Olympic team champions and eight World Team Championships squads as a member of the USSR and Russian coaching staffs.
Boiko earned the distinction of International Master of Sport in 1983 and he also coached 20 gymnasts who went on to receive the same honor. In addition, 30 athletes won Soviet and Russian National Titles under his tutelage.
It[apos]s not just in State College or the former Soviet Union where Boiko is recognized and revered.
[quote]I get nothing but the highest regard for Mr. Boiko as I travel,[quote] Jepson said. [quote]He is one of the foremost coaches in the world and brought up some of the best gymnasts the Soviet Union has produced. Having him here is just an incredible blessing.[quote]
Some noteworthy gymnasts he has coached are Alexander Pogorelov, Valentin Turbanov, Sergie Gusev, Uri Ermakov, and 2008 Olympian Kevin Tan.