Noah Riskin studied painting and trained in gymnastics at Ohio State University, 1981-86.
In 1985 he shared the N.C.A.A. national gymnastics title on the parallel bars with his
identical twin brother, and in 1986 he received his B.F.A. degree. Noah continued his
athletic career to become an U.S. Men's National Gymnastics Team member and international
champion. In 1993, as a Merit Scholar, he received his M.F.A. from the School of the Art
Institute of Chicago. From 1994-97 he was a research affiliate/fellow at the MIT Center
for Advanced Visual Studies, and from 1997-2000 he was a faculty member at the California
Institute of the Arts.
In addition to coaching the MIT Men's Gymnastics Team, Noah is currently teaching at the
Rhode Island School of Design and working on a book on his experience as an identical twin.
Kristin Jensen is the new assistant coach for the MIT men's gymnastics
team. She graduated from Stanford University 2002 with a BA in Human
Biology. Kristin competed for the Stanford gymnastics team, earning
All-American honors on uneven bars her freshman year and serving as
team captain her senior year. She now works as a research assistant
for Brigham and Women's Hospital in the Vascular Medicine Department.
J.C. Olsson, the volunteer assistant coach of the men's gymnastics
team, often forgets his NCAA eligibility expired years ago, as he is
still seeking closure to a lifelong career of underachievement. His
attendance, exemplary for any nonprofit position, is unparalleled by
the actual team members. Daily practices bear witness to JC's attempts
at recapturing that proverbial "Gold", which these days comes in the
reduced form of basic tumbletrack sequences or double salto dismounts
off high bar. Yet his dogged - admittedly pointless - resolve is a
veritable oasis of inspiration for the rest of the team to tap, lest
they find themselves one day in his shoes. JC also scanned in the code
of points.
Or alternatively,
JC Olsson landed the sinecure of volunteer assistant coach to gain
daily access to the duPont showering facilities. His hygienic habits
have carried over into a diurnal gym presence, where he (preparatorily
soils himself? yes, but more importantly...) is entertained by the
effusive banter of coach Noah Riskin, the witty repartees of captain
Luke Massery, and the ceaseless antics of the rest of the gymnastics
team. One day, overtaken by affection for the team following his
consumption of several alcoholic beverages, JC scanned in the entire
code of points.
Or possibly,
JC Olsson, assitant coach, has committed another year to trying to get
the pecs normally ocurring on other college gymnasts.
Or most appropriately,
JC Olsson, single, after a career of exemplary renown in varsity
collegiate athletics, including gymnastics, has returned to the gym
as assistant coach. He is soon to be 23 years old, holds a stable,
salaried job and drives a sports car. JC enjoys reading, listening
to music, and traveling to exotic parts of the world. 617 629-4607,
or via Instant Messenger as JoseCar700.
Fran Molesso began working at MIT in 1982 and left in 1999 after 18 years of dedicated coaching.
Early on, he coached MIT's men and women, but eventually began to focus on the men's team.
While programs at other schools were slowly falling by the wayside, he kept MIT gymnastics strong, leading
the men's team to compete in the USA National Championships on five separate occasions.
Fran left MIT to coach his son's high school football team and to be closer to his family, but, of course, still keeps
in touch.
Kristin Jensen, Assistant Coach Email
J.C. Olsson, Old Man Email