There are many former elite gymnasts who now are coaches in the NCAA. This week we take an in-depth look at our next coach, Liz Crandall-Howell. Crandall is a distinguished international brevet-level judge, an internationally experienced gymnast, and a collegiate All-American. Stay tuned for more interviews and updates on your favorite former gymnasts. 

Crandall is just one of 16 active international brevet judging officials in the U.S. She has judged each of the last three Olympic trials, including the 2012 trials in San Jose. From 2001-09, she was an official judge for U.S. Championships, and from 2006-07, she was the U.S. Apparatus Chairperson for uneven bars.

 

Crandall is a seven-time U.S. National Team member from 1987-92. She boasts a multitude of domestic and international accolades, traveling to Japan, Russia, Belgium, and Germany to represent the US. Most notably in 1991, she took home a gold medal at the USA Championships on uneven bars. She also finished fourth on vault and eighth in the all-around. Crandall was a member of the silver medal winning team at the 1991 World Championships. Additionally, she finished 11th in the all-around at the 1992 Olympic trials. She medaled at the 1988 U.S. Championships on uneven bars and floor exercise, taking second in the all-around.

A full athletic scholarship student-athlete at Brigham Young University, Crandall was a two-time First Team All-American on the uneven bars. She helped the Cougars qualify to three NCAA Championships from 1994-96 and qualified on the individual level in 1993. In three of her four years in Provo, Utah, Crandall was the NCAA Regional uneven bars champion. She graduated in 1997 with a degree in physical education and health promotion.

 

From (2001-03) Crandall served as an assistant coach for the Sacramento State collegiate women's gymnastics team. She also served as a U.S. National Team mentor, guiding 2000 Olympic team member and UCLA All-American Kristen Maloney.

Gymnastike recently caught up with Liz Crandall-Howell 

 

How do you balance being an international judge, mom and coach? 

I think having that balance and being busy is the key for me. I learned time management from my time as a gymnast (especially my elite days) and that helps me in my life today. I am used to being busy and juggling things and keeping that energy balanced between all three is the key. That is also true in our family as Justin and I need to have balance in place to allow us to be at our best. 

What is it like coaching with your husband? Do you find it hard to shut it down and not bring it home with you?

It would be impossible to not bring some home with you. It is a blessing and a curse to coach/work with your husband. We are both very passionate about what we do and we think and share our thoughts about gymnastics all the time. It is nice to be able to share thoughts and bounce ideas off of each other when you have them, since we are always together. We have to be very consciously take time to carve out for other things in our life. We love music, spending time with our kids. 

 

Do you think there are advantages to be a coaching couple? 

I do think there are some things about it that are very rewarding. For a parent sending their child off to college, it is nice to be able to send your daughter off to another set of parents. It is important to have a balance of personalities within the couple to make it successful. 

 

Is it exciting to be coaching among so many fellow elite gymnasts and friends? 

Yes! Kim Zmeskal, Jenny Rowland, Tabitha Yim and I have been friends for a long time. It is nice to share the same passion and continue the friendships. It is great to be able to watch each other grow in different ways through the same passion. We struggle at the same things and it is nice to call and talk to someone else who understands. It is exciting to see a new generation join the coaching scene and be able to share our love for the sport. 

What is the best part about being a NCAA gymnastics coach?

When I finished gymnastics I did not want to be down with the sport, so I went into coaching. I felt that I had more to give to the sport. The transition into college is why I love coaching so much. It is one of the most important parts in a young women’s development. During college the athletes start to figure out their lives and future jobs, and being a part of that is so rewarding. I enjoy helping the girls figure out what they want to do and give them the tools to succeed. 

 

You are an international brevet-level judge, an internationally experienced gymnast, and a collegiate All-American. How does each of those accomplishments help you as a college coach? 

They all helped me in terms of being compassionate. It is hard for a gymnast to make the transition for elite to college and I can empathize as I have been through it myself. Everything I value about this sport I could have gained without success. I think it is very
important that you look to change in a forward direction every day. 

What goals do you have as a coach?

I want to continue to teach and not just maintain. I want to be able to continue to get better as a coach, teach new skills and be able to develop athletes. I want to continue to do what I love and continue to make relationships with athletes throughout their lives. Those relationships mean more to me than winning. 

 

The Cal program has shown great growth over the past few seasons. What do you account for that success? What is next for Cal? 

We at Cal believe we can be a National Threat and we have goals of staying there. The biggest piece of the puzzle for Cal is fueling the fire from within. We have had the talent and desire, but they hadn’t been empowered to set their own goals. We needed them to buy into their own abilities and they have done that. They set their own goals and mission and we teach them how to get there and hold the accountable, which has made all the difference. They have been able to take ownership and pride in their dream. We haven’t seen the products of our recruiting yet and we have some great talent coming. We are excited and looking forward to a healthy year next year. 

What are your thoughts on the change to the size of the Olympic Team?

It is unfortunate that we have so many gymnasts who have invested in gymnastics and so few who make the team. It is going to be hard on the sport. I do not think it will effect Team USA we the depth and strength that we have. But it will be sad to have less Olympians. 

Anything else you would like us to know?  

I think one of the most exciting things is that college gymnastics has exploded! People outside of gymnastics are taking note that college gymnastics is not easy. The level of talent, execution and artistry is so high and that is very exciting. It is great to see elite level gymnasts coming to college and getting better. Sam Peszek is great example of that and I loved to see her grow and develop on a higher level. That says great things about our sport! 

 

Related: 
Kristen Maloney: From Elite Gymnast To College Coach