Kondos Keeps UCLA on Its Toes in Search of NCAA Title

Valorie Kondos’ style of gymnastics has been a staple at UCLA for 14 years, despite the fact that she has never executed any of the maneuvers she choreographs.

A ballerina by training and the women’s gymnastics coach by profession, Kondos hopes her dance-influenced style will bring an NCAA championship to the Bruins this weekend in Gainesville, Fla.

Although the team missed the national championship by a fraction of a point last year, Kondos--who was voted 1996 national coach of the year--is confident this year’s second-seeded team can win. It will be the Bruins’ sixth consecutive appearance at the NCAA championship.

Kondos, who has danced with the Capitol City Ballet in Sacramento and choreographed shows for Disneyland, has fought for respect in the gymnastics community.

“Most of the coaches out there felt that UCLA had made a bad mistake in hiring someone who was a dancer/choreographer,” said Kondos, who has been the Bruins’ coach for seven years. “So lots of gossip started coming in.”

Kondos coached Kim Hamilton to an unprecedented three consecutive NCAA championships in the floor exercise from 1987 to ’89 an guided then-freshman Stella Umeh--expected to win the all-around this weekend--to an NCAA floor exercise title in 1995. Senior Leah Homma is also expected to do well in the all-around.

“Being a good coach means being a good manager,” Kondos said. “I don’t have to know how to do everything I’m coaching. I can hire people to help me. And having a ballet background, my muscles can feel what [my athletes] are performing.”

Rather than being technical and analytical, Kondos uses visualization to get her points across.

“I’ll tell them to bring their arms down as if they were peeling a banana,” Kondos said. “Or, I’ll tell them to pretend like they’re moving their arms through mud, or water, or air. At first they thought I was a wacko. Now, they get upset if I don’t give them visuals.”

A classical ballet dancer and pianist since she was a child, Kondos fell in love with gymnastics while watching the 1972 Olympics on television. Mesmerized by Olga Korbut, Kondos begged her parents to allow her to switch from ballet to gymnastics.

“I was bound and determined to be a gymnast,” said the 37-year-old native of Sacramento. “And I could have been a great one. But my parents said, ‘No. You’re sticking with ballet.’ ”

It was her knowledge of ballet that brought her to UCLA in 1983. Hearing of an opening for a dance coach for floor exercises, Kondos applied for and got the job. Instead of a salary, she received a full scholarship to attend UCLA while coaching. She also choreographed routines for the balance beam.

Content to be minimally involved with the gymnastics team while pursuing a career in choreography, Kondos was surprised when, in 1990, after Jerry Tomlinson was released as coach, UCLA offered her the position. Even though she doubted herself initially, she can’t imagine her life without coaching.

“I love it. It is so rewarding,” Kondos said. “My job is about integrity, in helping young adults go from where they have no say in their lives to making a transition into the real world.”