Where Do We Go From Here?
Today, for the first day in over a week, I was able to run on the treadmill at my local Planet Fitness and not see Larry Nassar’s face on any of the 16 TV’s. I am hoping that after his sentencing last week the media will be able to move on from this tragedy. What he did was terrible. The question many of us in the gymnastics industry ask is- WILL USA GYMNASTICS be able to recover? If they cannot or if as a club you decide to end your affiliation with USAG, WHAT DO YOU DO?
On social media there have been many people and groups calling for the decertification by the USOC of USA Gymnastics. If The USOC decides to decertify USAG all that means is that USAG will NOT be determining the Olympic Team. USAG can still run the JO and Excel Program. They can still run educational workshops, congresses and conferences. BUT- if USAG does get decertified by the USOC, they may have lost the confidence of the American public and they will probably cease to exist.
What would our gyms do then? We would continue doing what we do. Teaching gymnastics. We would associate ourselves with a different association. I met this with with the President of the USAIGC to learn about their program and for my gym The USAIGC seems to be our best alternative.
Day to Day in our gyms- nothing changes. For our teams- they will continue to go to competitions and continue to be AMAZING. Instead of being the USAG State, Regional or National Champion- they may be going to USAIGC or AAU or some other leagues State, Regional or National Champion. (BTW- USAIGC Also has an International division!).
There have been other groups and individuals which have been exploring the possibilities of starting a new organization. I sure have had some interesting phone calls and e-mails! I certainly would like to find out more about these. Competition is a good thing. Viable alternatives will force each organization to try to be better than the next. To let coaches and club owners feel a part of something great. To be a transparent organization that encourages participation and makes athlete safety a priority.
USA Gymnastics is facing some difficult times ahead. The reality is that they may not survive in their current form. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE GOING ANYWHERE. There will just be some major changes. I believe that USA Gymnastics had a strong foundation but grew too quickly and did not adapt to the times and was not able to implement the necessary changes and protections.
They are working hard at fixing this. They have hired a new president and will be replacing most if not all of the Board of Directors.
The National Team Training Center at The Ranch has been closed. Now, one Central Florida neighborhood is looking to be USA Gymnastics’ new home. Lake Nona is already home to several sports-centric complexes, including the United States Tennis Association. Tavistock Development Corp. wants USA Gymnastics to consider its sports and performance district as a place to get a fresh start.
There have been offers by private clubs to host the National Team in the interim until a permanent facility is built (WOGA in Texas and Aerial Gymnastics Club in Illinois). I have even heard a rumor about a private group of investors looking to build a training center and NOT associate it immediately with USAG until they see where things are headed. Possibly associating itself with a coaches group who would act as landlords leasing the facility to USAG or whatever organization comes next.
Some horrible individuals caused such pain in our sport – that should never be forgiven or forgotten. Lets not forget that there are so many wonderful coaches out there. Coaches who are role models, mentors and teach WAY MORE than just gymnastics.
Thank you
wonderful article Tony. Thank you!
I’ve been coaching recreational and level 4/5 competitive gymnastics for 30 years. THAT
is what gymnastics is in the USA! Hundreds of grass root gyms across this country constantly
teach ordinary kids every day that they can be extraordinary athletes in their daily lives thru that
miracle we all call, gymnastics. Teaching them they really can fly!
Most of us are so far removed from the world of elite gymnastics and we can’t let that small percent
of our sport condemn the benefit that gymnastics gives to all kids,,.
So many kids are literally SAVED by this sport.
Ive seen the shyest of all kids blossom into the actual class clown,
Ive seen the poorest possible muscle tone change to a kid that can do a pullover on bars.
Ive seen a mom tell me that the physical therapist says that my kid with the physical disabilities is now completing skills that are off the possible charts for their disability.
Gymnastics works miracles everyday, Gymnastics is Special!
When my gymnast say “But coach, this is hard”,,,I say Yes! Cause If it’s easy, they call it football!
We are special athletes…most anyone can hit a ball, catch a ball, kick a ball…
But not everyone can do gymnastics!
We cant lose our sport and that special “thing” it brings to us all!
We need Miss Val as the National Team Coordinator!
We need YOU Tony on the board!
We need testimonials like mine on social media!
How do I help?
Where DO we go from here?