March 26, 2003

Chapel Hill, N.C. ----- University of North Carolina gymnastics coach Derek Galvin has been named a finalist for the 2004 National STUDENT-Athlete Day Giant Steps Award presented by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS). Galvin is in his 22nd year as Carolina's head coach and has led the Tar Heels to a 22-4 regular-season record this year.

Last season, Carolina won the East Atlantic Gymnastics League championship, finished fourth at the NCAA Southeast Regional and finished the season ranked 20th in the country. Galvin was named the 2002 EAGL Coach of the Year and NCAA Southeast Regional Coach of the Year. Galvin and the Tar Heels will defend their conference title this weekend in Durham, New Hampshire.

Galvin's teams have historically excelled both in the gymnastics arena and in the academic environment. Carolina lead the EAGL with a record 13 student-athletes named to the conference's 2003 All-Academic team.

"Derek has the highest regard for academics," said Senior Associate Athletic Director Beth Miller. "He is a very caring person and it continually amazes me that he is able to stay in touch with so many of his former gymnasts. It show that not only does he care about you while you are at UNC, but also for the rest of your life. He truly creates and nurtures a 'family' atmosphere with all current and former gymnasts." A native of Dublin, Ireland, Galvin moved to the United States when he was 10 years old. He gradudated from the University of North Carolina with a psychology degree in 1976 and became head coach of the Tar Heels in 1981.

National STUDENT-Athlete Day was created 16 years ago by the National Consortium for Academics (NCAS) and Sports to honor student-athletes, parents, teachers, coaches and school systems who make it possible for young people to find the balance between academics and athletics.

Each year the NCAS selects outstanding individuals in the world of sports who have worked to create a better society by focusing on educational attainment and using the power and appeal of sport to positively affect social change.

Giant Steps Awards are presented in several categories nationwide, including Athletic Administrator, Courageous Student-Athlete, Community Organization, Coach, Civic Leader, Academic Organization, Parent, Teacher and School.

The winners of the Giant Steps Awards will be announced on April 6.