Gymnastics News: Amidst Iowa’s Investigation, Coach Larissa Libby’s Daughter Bailey Takes a Stand

Amid the ongoing investigation into the University of Iowa’s gymnastics program amid concerns about the environment, a new voice has emerged that promises to shed light on the complexities of the situation. Bailey Libby, the daughter of renowned gymnastics coach Larissa Libby, has stepped into the spotlight, advocating for transparency within the university’s sports department.

As allegations swirl regarding the handling of athlete complaints and the overall culture within the Iowa athletics community, Bailey’s perspective offers a unique and personal insight. During this ongoing investigation, Bailey showed support to her mother with a nice Instagram story, which may affect ongoing discussions surrounding collegiate sports and athlete welfare.

Unveiling a personal perspective

Amid the ongoing investigation, Bailey Libby took to her Instagram handle to take a stand for her mother Larisa Libby. She posted a story along with her mother and wrote, “My forever Best friend! I Love You!”. Through this gesture of support, she was seen supporting her mother’s innocence. Larisa Libby is in her 20th year as head coach and 24th year with the program. She is on paid administrative leave “to protect the integrity of the review” although it is “not a disciplinary measure,” according to the release. The whole independent review is retained by Phil Catanzano, co-founder of the Education and Sports Law Group as the investigation is conducted in “The University of Iowa Department of Athletics”.

Bailey often leans on her dad for support and guidance, finding comfort in confiding in him. However, during moments when she truly needs to speak with her mom, she reminds her, “By the way, I’m talking to you as my mom.” Bailey also said, “She knows when something’s wrong by the look of my face. And I have comfort [when] going to tell her when something is wrong.”

The team and staff members expressed their concerns regarding the head coach about the program environment. As soon as these concerns were heard, an independent review was initiated. The school stated that the investigation was focused on their students’ well-being, emphasizing, “We are committed to the well-being of our student-athletes and to ensuring that they train and compete in a respectful and safe environment.” For now, Libby has been placed on paid administrative leave to ensure the integrity and thoroughness of the review process.

Larissa Libby’s unforgettable journey in Iowa with her daughter

During her tenure in Iowa City, Larissa Libby has elevated the Hawkeyes to a coveted position among the top 25 teams in the country. Her leadership has been instrumental in the team’s remarkable streak of 22 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances. In the 2022 season, Libby’s coaching acumen propelled the Hawkeyes to the NCAA Regional Finals. It was during this season that Adeline Kenlin, under Libby’s guidance, achieved NCAA beam runner-up honors. Libby has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times. Under her guidance, 12 WGCA All-Americans and six first-team All-Americans have emerged from the Hawkeyes’ ranks.

Read More: NCAA Gymnastics Takes Upsetting Turn as Iowa’s Star Spotted on Crutches

Furthermore, Libby’s coaching has resulted in 15 Big Ten champions and six NCAA Regional champions. With 11 NCAA Championships qualifiers under her belt, Libby has consistently positioned her team for success on the national stage. The GymHawks posted the fifth-best team score in school history with 196.925 to finish in second at the Big Five meet on February 24. So, while making the decision to stay in Iowa City may not have been easy for Bailey or her mom, in Bailey’s eyes, it’s “the best decision I’ve ever made.”