IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Gymnastics Head Coach Larissa Libby has resigned from her position effective Friday, May 10.

During her 20-plus year tenure leading the Hawkeyes, the program has been a consistent top 25 team nationally and appeared in 24 straight NCAA Regional appearances (individually or as a team) along with a 2021 Big Ten regular season title.

Coach Libby was a three-time Big Ten and two-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year and coached 12 WGCA All-Americans and six first-team All-Americans at the NCAA Championships. Libby coached 15 Big Ten champions, six NCAA Regional champions, 11 NCAA Championships qualifiers, while student-athletes earned All-Big Ten honors 58 times, including 28 first-team selections.

Hawkeye gymnasts also excelled in the classroom and had a strong community presence during Libby’s tenure. Student-athletes earned Academic All-America distinction 51 times.

Jessa Hansen Parker will serve as the interim head coach as a national search for the program’s next head coach is ongoing.

Statement from Larissa Libby

“My time at Iowa has been a tremendous journey. Filled with amazing people, immense growth, and incredible firsts. Joining this Athletic Department under Dr Christine Grant as a young coach, was one of the best decisions I have made and one that essentially shaped the course of my career. I am very proud of all of our accomplishments both in the classroom and in the competitive arena. I am grateful for the amazing Iowa community and the many people who dedicated themselves to supporting the team. I will never forget the many young women and coaches who have journeyed through our program and are now out in the world contributing to society at the highest level. Leaving behind all of the wonderful coaches in all different sports, who mentored, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my years at Iowa will be the hardest part of saying goodbye. I will miss your friendship and unconditional support, but I look forward to the future and bringing all I have learned to whatever new opportunities lie ahead.”

AMES, Iowa – The 18^th annual Cyclone Tailgate Tour, powered by MidAmerican Energy, returns for 2024, to a location near you next month! The 13-stop tour kicks off May 9 in Des Moines, followed by visits to the Eastern half of Iowa, May 13-15 and Western Iowa, May 20-22.

The Cyclone Tailgate will be at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic on Monday, May 20. The event will go from 12:00-1:00 PM with a program at approximately 12:40 PM. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the event’s start time (11:30 AM).

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our staff to engage with Cyclone fans across the state,” Iowa State Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard said. “We are so grateful for our loyal fans who travel to Ames for all of our events, and the Tailgate Tour affords us the opportunity to return the favor and visit them in their home areas.”

All Cyclone Tailgate Tour stops will feature ISU head coaches and staff along with Cy and the spirit squads interacting with fans, signing autographs and handing out athletics swag. Each stop is free and open to fans of all ages.

While tour event lineups may vary, this year’s tour will feature ISU Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard, football coach Matt Campbell, men’s basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger, women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly, volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, wrestling coach Kevin Dresser, the “Voice of the Cyclones” John Walters and, of course, Cy.

These family-friendly events will include giveaways, food and beverage available for purchase, and allow fans the opportunity to connect with fellow Cyclone fans in celebration of Iowa State Athletics. All children in attendance will also receive a gift courtesy of the Cyclone Club.

The evening stops include a program beginning at 6:30 p.m., with the Des Moines kickoff event program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Official Iowa State merchandise from Cy’s Locker Room will be available for purchase at all evening stops, too.