Days After NCAA Gymnastics’ Judging Stir, Kathy Johnson Clarke Leaves Fans Reeling With Retirement News: “Gut Punch”

Out of 87 NCAA gymnastics teams- 36 collegiate programs have already left the fans in awe with their exceptional- high score during the ongoing season of 2024. However, some coaches are openly questioning whether something is amiss in the judgment part that has enabled such extraordinary scores. US former artistic gymnast and sports commentator, Kathy Johnson Clarke, is the one among those who also raised her voice regarding judging controversy.

Following the prominent assistant coach at Florida, Owen Field’s request for rule modifications, Kathy also voiced her frustration regarding the same. She wrote, “I tried and failed spectacularly well to inspire and initiate constructive critique and conversation about this dynamic.” With that, she also announced her retirement from broadcasting, sending the fans into a frenzy.

Kathy Johnson Clarke exits finding herself ‘irrelevant’

One of the first US gymnasts to win a major international medal, Kathy announced her retirement news with an upsetting note. Taking to her official X handles, the longtime college gymnastics analyst for ESPN, Kathy Johnson Clarke wrote “To be clear, I’m not quitting broadcasting because of judging or nonsensical scores that don’t align with or reflect the Code of Points, making it obsolete. I am retiring because I am being retired as irrelevant, a relic from the past.” And she remarked further that she was happy with the decision. In a thread of tweets, she gave more of her views regarding the matter.

Calling for a radical change in the scoring, she wrote, “The rules committee needs to decide what is important in defining the standard of “perfection” for college routines and create a Code of Points w/ an easy-to-apply, mandatory scale of small, but measurably effective deductions to separate superior, great, good & average routines.” 

Along similar lines, Owen Field vouched for NCCA rule modifications. “High scores are fun and all… but IMO this definitely adds to the discussion that it might be time for some legitimate rule changes?” said Field. Meanwhile, as Katherine’s post surfaced on the internet, fans expressed dissatisfaction over her retirement announcement.

Fans feel dejected over Kathy’s retirement

One user voiced his full support for Kathy writing, “This is a gut punch. 💔 If loving gymnastics, beautiful gymnastics the way KJC does, is irrelevant and a relic of the past, sign me up.” 

Expressing his fandom, one user wrote:

Read More: NCAA Gymnastics News: Thanks to Coach KJ Kindler, Oklahoma Sooners Reign Supreme for Yet Another Season

Yet another fan demonstrated his love for the former gymnasts, writing:

One of her supporters applauded her and commented:

Yet, another fan noted that Kathy will be missed and wrote:

It remains to be seen if the voices raised are good enough to make NCAA rethink the much-talked-about rule change.

Continue to read: NCAA Gymnastics News: Stanford, California, and Oklahoma Battle for Top Spot -When, Where, and How to Watch