Jim Hartung competing as a gymnast at the University of Nebraska in the early 1980s. (Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics)Jim Hartung as an Olympic gold medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. (Courtesy of Nebraska Athletics) LINCOLN–(KFOR/NU Athletics)–Jim Hartung, who was one of the to p gymnasts in Nebraska history and a member of the Husker gymnastics coaching staff, has passed away. According to a news release from Nebraska Athletics, Hartung passed away Saturday night.  He was 65-years-old. Hartung competed in high school at Omaha South, where he won 18 individual event championships and won the NSAA All-Around state championship from 1975 to 1977.  The Packers were also state team champions each season Hartung competed. Competing at the college level at Nebraska, Hartung amassed a total of 22 All-America awards and seven NCAA individual titles during his career from 1979 to 1982. His accolades included a pair of NCAA all-around titles in 1981 and 1982. Hartung also led the Huskers and Coach Francis Allen to their first four NCAA team titles (1979-1980-1981-1982) and became Nebraska’s first Nissen-Emery Award winner in 1982. He was a two-time member of the United States Olympic team, helping the U.S. to its first and only team gold medal at the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympic Games. Hartung was a member of the inaugural Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame class in 2015 and was a part of the first College Gymnastics Association Hall of Fame Class in 2024.  Hartung is also an inductee into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. Hartung had been a Nebraska assistant gymnastics coach for the past 19 seasons. Nebraska Athletics issued the following statement: “The Nebraska Athletic Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of assistant men’s gymnastics coach Jim Hartung on Saturday night. Our condolences go out to Jim’s family, friends, and everyone he has impacted during his remarkable life in gymnastics from a national champion athlete at Nebraska to an Olympic gold medalist to a successful coach.  Jim is a true Husker legend and his impact on the sport of gymnastics will carry on for decades to come. Our department will provide all available resources and support for our men’s gymnastics student-athletes and coaching staff during this very difficult time.” Hartung has four children, Jim, Nick, Jake and Hannah.  Services are pending.   ...read more read less