University of Minnesota Athletics
Alum All-Around: Clay Strother
7/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Former Gophers gymnast, Clay Strother, will be inducted into the “M” Club Hall of Fame this October. A multiple-time national champion in multiple events, Strother is one of the most accomplished gymnasts in the history of the Gopher program. Strother was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree and an 11-time All-American during his Minnesota career, but he is best known for winning back-to-back national titles in both the pommel horse and the floor (’01, ’02). His four national championships are the second-most in school history, and his 11 All-America medals rank third. Catch up with the standout alumnus.
What have you been up to since graduation?
After graduation, I continued gymnastics and remained on the US National Team until 2008. Also, in about 2004, I took up judging. I currently judge junior and NCAA level gymnastics. After I retired from gymnastics in 2008, I went back to school to become a nurse. The past 5 years I have worked in long term care, transitional care, medical surgical nursing, and finally have found my way back to the University of Minnesota Emergency Department on the East Bank campus.
What does being inducted into the "M" Club HOF mean to you?
It is such an honor to be included among some of the greatest student-athletes that the University of Minnesota has produced. Being inducted into the "M" Club HOF validates not only the hard work and success that I had as a Gopher gymnast, but the wonderful support system of coaches, teammates, friends, and family that have contributed to my success as a student-athlete in Minnesota.
How did your time as a student-athlete shape your character?
Being a student athlete at Minnesota really shaped me into a team player. Whether it be playing sports, board games, working, etc., I feel like I thrive in a great team work setting. I think that is one reason I ended up drifting toward working in an Emergency Room. It is very much a team effort in that setting!
What is your favorite memory from Minnesota?
My favorite memory will always be the great friends I made as a student-athlete. My best friends are both former men's and women's Gymnastics team members that I got to know during my time at Minnesota. They are some of the greatest and most admirable people I know. I am blessed to have gotten to experience being a student-athlete with them and build a lifelong friendship no matter where everyone has moved to after our time at Minnesota.
What advice do you have for current Gopher men's gymnasts?
Those four years are short. Have fun, work hard, build relationships, and give back to the gymnastics community. Gymnastics is such a remarkable and unique sport--let's see it flourish even more in the future so others can have the same great opportunity that you experienced.