Ball State University Athletics
Former Coach Mary Roth Inducted into Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame
September 26, 2021 | Gymnastics
MUNCIE, Ind. - - For her illustrious work as both a coach and a judge, former Ball State gymnastics head coach Mary Roth was inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon (Sept. 25).
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Roth, who led the Cardinals for 20 years from 1986-2005, remains the winningest coach in program history with 169 dual victories. She guided BSU to the program's first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in 1999 and mentored the program's first Mid-American Conference Championship squad in 2002.
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After placing fourth at the NCAA Regional, the 1999 squad also earned the program's first-ever national ranking, finishing 23rd in the final poll of the season.
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"For Mary to be inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, and all of us within the Ball State gymnastics family are super excited for her," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "She was an inspiration to so many Cardinals and helped develop a legacy of success for our program. Congratulations Mary, you've truly earned this special recognition."
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In addition to the 2002 MAC title, Roth coached the Cardinals to six league runner-up finishes. Her 2000 squad was among that group and finished the year with a 22-6 overall record, establishing program records for wins (22) and winning percentage (.786) in a season.
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The winning percentage record stood until this past spring, however, when Saleem led the Cardinals to a 14-3 (.824) dual record.
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Roth, who earned MAC Coach of the Year accolades in 1989, helped Ball State student-athletes earn nine NCAA Regional appearances. Highlighting the list is Sarah Mikrut, who went on to advance to the NCAA Championships in the all-around in both 1996 and 1997.
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In addition to the NCAA appearances, Roth coached Ball State's student-athletes to 14 individual MAC Championships and 16 individual league runner-up finishes. Her players earned a total of 21 All-MAC First Team honors, as well as six All-MAC Second Team accolades.
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A former student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1967-71, Roth was inducted into her alma mater's Hall of Fame in 1994.
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Prior to being named the head coach at Ball State in 1986, Roth was the men's and women's gymnastics and men's and women's track coach at UW-Platteville from 1982-1985. In 1984, she helped develop the NCAA men's Division III parallel bar and horizontal bar champions.
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Alongside her coaching, Roth was a USAG level 10 rated judge from 1968-1988, before becoming nationally rated in 1989. She would even produce a training video for judges working college meets. From 1968-2002, she also judged high school meets and served as a clinician for high school rules.
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Roth, who led the Cardinals for 20 years from 1986-2005, remains the winningest coach in program history with 169 dual victories. She guided BSU to the program's first-ever NCAA Regional appearance in 1999 and mentored the program's first Mid-American Conference Championship squad in 2002.
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After placing fourth at the NCAA Regional, the 1999 squad also earned the program's first-ever national ranking, finishing 23rd in the final poll of the season.
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"For Mary to be inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor, and all of us within the Ball State gymnastics family are super excited for her," head coach Joanna Saleem said. "She was an inspiration to so many Cardinals and helped develop a legacy of success for our program. Congratulations Mary, you've truly earned this special recognition."
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In addition to the 2002 MAC title, Roth coached the Cardinals to six league runner-up finishes. Her 2000 squad was among that group and finished the year with a 22-6 overall record, establishing program records for wins (22) and winning percentage (.786) in a season.
Â
The winning percentage record stood until this past spring, however, when Saleem led the Cardinals to a 14-3 (.824) dual record.
Â
Roth, who earned MAC Coach of the Year accolades in 1989, helped Ball State student-athletes earn nine NCAA Regional appearances. Highlighting the list is Sarah Mikrut, who went on to advance to the NCAA Championships in the all-around in both 1996 and 1997.
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In addition to the NCAA appearances, Roth coached Ball State's student-athletes to 14 individual MAC Championships and 16 individual league runner-up finishes. Her players earned a total of 21 All-MAC First Team honors, as well as six All-MAC Second Team accolades.
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A former student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville from 1967-71, Roth was inducted into her alma mater's Hall of Fame in 1994.
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Prior to being named the head coach at Ball State in 1986, Roth was the men's and women's gymnastics and men's and women's track coach at UW-Platteville from 1982-1985. In 1984, she helped develop the NCAA men's Division III parallel bar and horizontal bar champions.
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Alongside her coaching, Roth was a USAG level 10 rated judge from 1968-1988, before becoming nationally rated in 1989. She would even produce a training video for judges working college meets. From 1968-2002, she also judged high school meets and served as a clinician for high school rules.
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