University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Great Loken Passes Away
6/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Dr. Newt C. Loken passed away Tuesday in Eugene, Ore. Loken was an All-America gymnast for the University of Minnesota in 1942 and later went on to become the architect of the University of Michigan men's gymnastics team, which he coached for 36 years.
Loken was 92 years of age.
He was a Breckenridge, Minn. native. Loken was a team captain for the Gophers in 1942 and was a two-time Big Ten All-Around Champion in 1941 and 1942. He won an NCAA individual title on the horizontal bar in 1941 and the all-around championship in 1942.
During World War II, Loken served in the U.S. Navy. In 1944, he went to the University of Michigan as a graduate student. He coached the cheerleading team. By 1947, the Michigan athletic board awarded varsity status to men's gymnastics and named Loken head coach.
He coached the team for 36 years, winning two NCAA team championships (1963, 1970). His teams won 12 Big Ten championships. He coached 71 Big Ten individual event winners and 21 NCAA individual champions.
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