Not even per week after an All-American end on excessive bar (sixth) and within the all-around (eighth) on the NCAA Males’s Gymnastics Championships, Sam Phillips introduced on social media that he can be transferring from Nebraska to Illinois, becoming a member of the squad led by Head Coach Daniel Ribeiro for his last 12 months of eligibility.
As a consequence of a season-ending harm in 2022, plus the 12 months given to athletes impacted by COVID-19, Phillips will get a sixth season within the NCAA, and his transfer to Illinois permits him to reap the benefits of that chance.
“It goes again to August,” Phillips informed Gymnastics Now. “I wished to do a sixth 12 months… [Nebraska head coach] Chuck [Chmelka] saved me within the spot till recruitment. I didn’t need any [scholarship] cash, only a spot [on the team]. When the recruitment got here, I didn’t have a spot so I used to be like, ‘Okay, perhaps I’m achieved with gymnastics.’”
Phillips tried to seek out different methods to remain in Lincoln – or a minimum of related to the game. He sought an assistant coach place. Phillips recalled even discussing a transfer to EVO in Florida, the place a bunch of Olympic contenders prepare collectively, to proceed his profession, however it didn’t pan out. Phillips was operating out of concepts. He weighed the choice heading into the season, and located extra motivation from his development in coaching.
“Intersquad got here round and I did good, and I believed that I had extra to provide to NCAA gymnastics … I went to Chuck and informed him what I used to be gonna do – ‘I’m gonna switch.’”
In contrast to this system hopping that occurs in NCAA soccer, transferring just isn’t as frequent in NCAA gymnastics, particularly on the lads’s aspect the place there are solely 15 groups. Lots of the transfers which have occurred the previous few seasons have come after packages had been lower.
With that stated, Phillips was met with help when he shared his resolution: “Chuck and John [Robinson] supported me. I entered the grad switch portal in December, dedicated to Illinois in January, saved it near my chest all season, and at last informed the workforce after NCAA.”
Phillips was a star throughout his time with the Huskers, particularly in 2024. This previous season, he was one of many workforce’s statistical MVPs – solely behind Taylor Christopulos in factors contributed. He scored as excessive as a 14.750 on ground, 14.300 on excessive bar, 14.400 on parallel bars, and 14.300 on vault. His all-around excessive was a 80.650.
Phillips is a good addition for the Illini as a result of he can fill holes left by graduating stars Michael Fletcher and Connor McCool. Within the Large Ten, the place Illinois and Nebraska have been closing the hole with convention powerhouse Michigan lately, including an asset like Phillips is large.
When coming to this resolution, Phillips highlighted the closeness of the Illinois and Nebraska packages: “The tradition could be very enjoyable – lighthearted. Dan could be very near John, and [he’s] younger, so it actually was a straightforward match. I’m trying ahead to a brand new perspective on gymnastics and to taking a brand new strategy.”
Phillips was a workforce captain for a number of years with the Cornhuskers and can convey a wealth of expertise to an Illinois squad that’s shedding a few of its key leaders.
“I’m going to lean into change once they want me to convey my perspective and my context, and I’m additionally going to lean out and flow at occasions … It’s going to be a breath of contemporary air,” Phillips stated.
Gymnastics is already a distinct segment sports activities. Gymnastics within the States? After which NCAA gymnastics? Everybody is aware of everybody. So it’s no shock that Phillips already has connections with a few of his new teammates.
When requested who he’s most excited to coach with, Phillips responded rapidly with Vahe Petrosyan, who was his membership teammate on the prestigious Gymnastics Olympica USA.
“I’m actually excited to be teammates with him once more,” Phillips stated. “His freshman 12 months was kinda powerful due to accidents, however when he’s wholesome, he’s a pressure to be reckoned with.”
When speaking about what he’ll miss probably the most from his former workforce, Phillips emphasised his relationships with the workforce and the teaching workers, particularly coach Robinson. Can also’t overlook the Nebraska coaching facility, which just lately bought a significant improve.
Phillips can be pursuing a Grasp of Science in Administration at Gies Faculty of Enterprise whereas in Urbana-Champaign.
For now, Phillips can be coaching in Lincoln forward of the U.S. championships, set for Might 30-June 2 in Fort Price, Texas, which might probably be his final competitors representing Nebraska.
“My objective on the competitors is simply to have enjoyable,” Phillips stated. “It was my season objective to make U.S. championships, and it has been a very long time coming. My first time competing on the elite stage in seven years, so I’m going to go on the market and simply have enjoyable.”
