One of the most difficult lessons for any coach to learn in gymnastics is PATIENCE. Reality is that to do a good job, to be successful long term- you must take your time. Our country has a tendency to over-correct 2,3 or even 4 times before we might get it right. This becomes obvious when we look at the state of politics in our country at the national level. We swing one way then over correct in the other direction. It’s amazing that we can keep any semblance of a straight course.
With the resignation of Steve Penny today, USA Gymnastics is facing some difficult decisions ahead. I have heard people screaming for the entire board to resign, but what is the point of that? I have heard some call for USA Gymnastics to no longer be the National Governing Body (NGB) for gymnastics in this country. And replace it with what?
Do we need to make corrections? As I have stated before, of course we do. You always need to make corrections to stay on course but any organization needs to proceed with caution. If you over correct, you may end up in a ditch.
Possibly it is our current political climate that is asking everyone to pick a side and has so many screaming for blood. I am just not sure that is helping us.
DO I WANT CHANGE? YES!
Do I want a revolution? No.
We do not need gymnastics professionals YELLING for change. We need gymnastics professionals WORKING for change.
Will change ever go as fast as we would want? Of course not. There are many moving parts and all outcomes need to be explored so that we do not overcorrect.
What USA Gymnastics needs now is a BIG Public Relations victory to help us move past this. I believe that USAG is implementing some of the necessary changes that will make everyone’s experience in our sport BETTER and SAFER.
We had some huge victories after the last Olympics but it’s been a tough few months since then. USA Gymnastics has been under a lot of scrutiny and we as gymnastics professionals are forced to stay positive and remember WHY we are doing this and WHAT WE STAND FOR. I believe we all have some common goals for USA Gymnastics.
- once again become the countries premier NGB in Safety and Education
- Increased enrollment in our gyms.
- Access to educational resources that will make each of us better coaches.
- Access to information to help us spot and stop abuse.
and of course- - Continued victories at the international level through all disciplines.
That’s All for tonight.
I thought I should add that by no means is Tony or anyone i who shares this post forgetting about the victims. We are not. They will be the reason we need to get to work now.
When Tony states that USAGymnastics needs a big PR win, if is becuase the PR advice they have been getting was terrible. They were advised to make videos and post statements at the worst times possible. Whoever advised them needs to be fired.
As far as moving on. We will all move on together. We must. We are all on the same side. We are fighting the same fight. We need to make big changes now.
I think Tony’s point was that some people are focused on complaining and he wants to focus on making changes.
My heart breaks for the victims. I wish there was something I could personally do to help them heal. We as a country and a federation are on the same side. We want to protect the athletes and education gymnastics professionals so that this cannot happen again.
I want to focus on the path forward out of this hole. I do not EVER want to forget what has happened in the past. We need to learn from it and move on.
USAG MUST lead the way in Athlete Safety and make sure EVERYONE knows. That is a PR win.
I was glad to see this follow up comment. When I read the words “huge PR victory” my heart sank and my stomach turned because what those athletes need and deserve is support and to be believed, not USAG posting competing messages while their (bravely told) story is airing. Within the context of the follow up comments I understand better. I know you put kids first Tony. USAG looks stronger and more dependable (and more PR appropriate) when they stand behind athletes, acknowledge mistakes and promise to improve.
I agree,and will miss Steve, as I feel that he did an outstanding job.
Tony, this is a great piece. Applicable in so many different scenarios.
I hope that for gymnastics internationally, that the USAG leads the way in implementing stronger policies on sexual misconduct and shows the world how to implement them. This is a big learning curve and the world is watching.
Thanks Michelle.
USAG in the past has lead the way in ATHLETE SAFETY and COACHES EDUCATION. We just need to get back on track. My heart breaks for the victims. I wish there was something I personally could do to help them heal.
Tony,
Very well said and so true on all levels. It’s nice to see that in the gymnastics community there are level headed intelligent individuals such as yourself that can make a statement with clear thought and insight that addresses the problem without meeting a rash over reacting decision on how it should bee handled by more a direction and avenue to be taken to begin resolution for the future.
Very well done!
Thanks Bob. I have a ton of respect for you so your comments mean a lot.
Tony