June 16, 2010
Arizona State head women's gymnastics coach, John Spini, has been inducted into the USAG Arizona Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Spini accepted his nomination last Wednesday at a banquet held at The Hilton Hotel in Chandler.
"I was very honored to be admitted into the Hall of Fame," said Spini. "After growing up here, being part of Arizona club gymnastics and coaching at ASU for 30 years, I thought it was a great honor by my peers and I am very excited. It was very nice of them to consider me."
Spini has been a name in gymnastics in the state of Arizona ever since he was young. A native of Scottsdale, he competed in club gymnastics throughout his youth. Upon graduation from ASU, he began his coaching career at Arizona Twisters.
Spini accepted a head coaching position at ASU in 1980 and under his guidance saw the Sun Devils vault into the national rankings. Spini led his Sun Devils to 20 NCAA Championships and has had at least one gymnast represent ASU at the NCAA Championships 25 out of 29 times. In his 30 seasons, he has coached 27 All-Americans for a total of 81 All-American accolades and has seen six of his athletes earn individual NCAA titles. Nine of Sun Devil teams have finished in the top five and the Sun Devils have qualified for an NCAA regional each of his years.
Additionally, Spini owns Desert Lights Gymnastics with his wife Lisa.