OWU Alumnus to Accompany U.S. Flag Bearer at Sochi Olympic Games
Rich Gordin ’73
SOCHI, Russia – When six-time Olympian Todd Lodwick carries in the U.S. flag during opening ceremonies at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Ohio Wesleyan University alumnus Rich Gordin, Class of 1973, will accompany the Nordic combined skier.
Gordin, Ph.D., is a professor in Utah State University’s Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and an adjunct professor in its Department of Psychology. He serves as a sports psychology consultant for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.
He grew up in Delaware, Ohio, and graduated from Delaware Hayes High School before enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan. He is the son of Paula and Richard “Dick” Gordin, a 1952 OWU graduate, former OWU athletics director, and 39-year Battling Bishop golf coach.
Paula Gordin says Lodwick requested that her son be part of the opening ceremonies, agreeing to carry the flag only if his coach could join him in the front row.
According to Utah State, Rich Gordin has been a sport psychology consultant for numerous athletic teams at his university, USA Gymnastics, USA Track and Field, U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, and several professionals on the PGA and Champions golf tours.
Gordin also is listed on the sport psychology registry of the U.S. Olympic Committee for the 2012-2016 quadrennium. Learn more about Gordin and his Olympic-sized accomplishments.
Opening ceremonies for the 2014 Winter Olympics are scheduled to be broadcast by NBC-affiliate stations beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday. The games will continue through Feb. 23.
Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan University is one of the nation’s premier liberal arts universities. Located in Delaware, Ohio, the private, coed university offers more than 90 undergraduate majors, sequences, and courses of study, and competes in 23 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Ohio Wesleyan combines a challenging, internationally focused curriculum with off-campus learning and leadership opportunities to connect classroom theory with real-world practice. OWU’s 1,850 students represent 42 states and 37 countries. Ohio Wesleyan is featured in the book “Colleges That Change Lives,” listed on the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction, and included in the U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review “best colleges” lists. Learn more at www.owu.edu.