University of Wisconsin La Crosse Athletics

1975 Men’s Gymnastics
The UW-La Crosse men’s gymnastics team earned its first National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Led by head coach Jim Howard, UW-La Crosse finished with a team score of 201.60 points holding off UW-Oshkosh who placed second at 201.20. Howard was named the NAIA Coach of the Year. 

Three individuals won NAIA titles, including Brad Ruhland in the all-round, Steve Ihus the pommel horse and Bob Kolinek the vault. Louis Smith was third on the parallel bars while Stuart Stuller was second and Kolinek and Ruhland tied for third on the horizontal bar.

1976 Men’s Gymnastics
The UW-La Crosse men’s gymnastics team earned the 1976 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship held in Mitchell Hall. Led by head coach Jim Howard, UW-La Crosse finished with a team score of 195.75 points with UW-Oshkosh second at 192.90.  

Four individuals won NAIA titles, including Dave Schulz in the all-around. Randy Wray won the pommel horse, Gordon Moll the still rings and Bob Kolinek the horizontal bar. Other All-America honors included Rob Mueller second in the floor exercise with Steve Ihus third on the pommel horse. Kolinek was second and Schulz third on the vault. Louis Smith was second on the parallel bars and Mark Larsen second on the horizontal bar.

1977 Men’s Gymnastics
The UW-La Crosse men’s gymnastics team won its third straight National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship held in Billings, Montana. Led by head coach Jim Howard, UW-La Crosse finished with a team score of 194.50 points while UW-Oshkosh placed second at 191.00.
 

Louie Smith won the national crown on the parallel bars. Dave Schulz was second in the all-around while Dean Mills placed second on the parallel bars, Steve Ihus second on the pommel horse and Gordy Moll second on the still rings. Rob Mueller earned NAIA All-America honors after finishing tied for third on the floor exercise.