University of Nebraska Statement on James Nicholas Hartung

University of Nebraska at Lincoln ^ | January 11, 2026 | University of Nebraska PR

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

“The Nebraska Athletic Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of assistant men’s gymnastics coach Jim Hartung on Saturday night. Our condolences go out to Jim’s family, friends, and everyone he has impacted during his remarkable life in gymnastics from a national champion athlete at Nebraska to an Olympic gold medalist to a successful coach. Jim is a true Husker legend and his impact on the sport of gymnastics will carry on for decades to come. Our department will provide all available resources and support for our men’s gymnastics student-athletes and coaching staff during this very difficult time.”

Hartung, 65, has been a Nebraska assistant gymnastics coach for the past 19 seasons, giving back to the championship program he helped build as one of the United States’ most accomplished gymnasts. Hartung amassed a total of 22 All-America awards and seven NCAA individual titles during his career from 1979 to 1982. His accolades included a pair of NCAA all-around titles in 1981 and 1982.

Hartung also led the Huskers and Coach Francis Allen to their first four NCAA team titles (1979-1980-1981-1982) and became Nebraska's first Nissen-Emery Award winner in 1982. He was a two-time member of the United States Olympic team, helping the U.S. to its first and only team gold medal at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympic Games.

Hartung was a member of the inaugural Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2015 and was a part of the first College Gymnastics Association Hall of Fame Class in 2024.

Hartung has four children, Jim, Nick, Jake and Hannah.

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TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: cornhuskers; gymnastics; jimhartung; nebraska

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

Hartung was during a time before extreme Title IX activism where less than 20 schools have men's gymnastics, and we know make gymnastics female only nationally and make the men's sport regional.

It's an example of what happens when you do everything in the world to cut male sport when the NCAA won't touch the sport. He is an example of the era before Title IX began attacking Olympic sport.