Marsden: Telling 'my girls' about retirement was emotional


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SALT LAKE CITY — It was 2015 when Utah gymnastics co-head coach Megan Marsden knew she’d retire in a handful of years.

Her husband and founder of the Red Rocks, Greg Marsden, decided it was his time to step down as the co-head coach after 40 years. After four seasons coaching without her husband, she announced her retirement Monday. But it wasn’t until after the team’s last meet that she made her choice public.

"When Greg retired, I planned to stay on another three to five years,” Marsden said. “I made a decision several months ago that this would be my last season as a coach. I am glad this season could be all about (the team) as that is how I wanted it.”

Only a select few knew what Marsden was up to this season. She didn’t tell her team until Monday — the same time the rest of the gymnastics world also learned of her retirement.

Marsden made sure to arrive to the Dumke Gymnastics Center well before the team’s regularly scheduled Monday meeting. When she arrived, the gymnasts were cleaning their lockers. She chatted with the team as if it were any other day and helped the seniors as they asked what they could take home with them. At 1 p.m., it was time to gather and break the news.

“It was emotional,” Marsden, who admits she was nervous about getting emotional, described telling the team. She said it was so emotional because of her investment in each student-athlete, past and present.

They have great memories of the incredible gymnastics they’ve done with her as a coach — three Pac-12 titles and six national championships — but her favorite memories aren’t the great finishes she and the legendary program shared throughout her 35-year coaching career. Instead, it’s the small milestones and “most precious” moments.

“I loved the girls coming to meetings in my office and working on different things,” Marsden said. “Seeing athletes have speed bumps their freshman year, then figuring it out and excelling.”

Her time with the gymnasts is what she’ll miss the most. They’re the daughters Marsden, who has two sons, never had.

“I cannot express how lucky I have been to spend all these years at the University of Utah competing alongside and coaching so many talented, strong, smart, amazing young women,” she said. “I’ll miss being close and living moments with them each day.”

Marsden won’t be too far. You’ll find her next season proudly cheering for the Red Rocks, coming to meets and enjoying life as a fan.


![Holli Joyce](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2566/256650/25665074\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Holli Joyce -----------------------------

Holli Joyce is a University of Utah communications graduate and enjoys keeping up with the Utah Utes, Utah Jazz and Seattle Seahawks. Follow her on Twitter @Holli_Alexa.

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