tumbling, tramp, diving, acrobatics, circus, cheer, dance, martial arts, X sports … and more
A recruiting advantage.
In mid-March, the University of Nebraska and athlete marketing program Opendorse announced the launch of the Ready Now Program, a first-of-its kind partnership that will assist college athletes with individual branding to market themselves as social media influencers. …
It’s not easy to keep up with the responses from NCAA Gymnastics teams.
How much is empty talk? How many will improve over coming seasons?
Catch up by listening to episode #428: Black Lives Matter This Week Too
GymCastic was disappointed with “empty platitudes from coaches like Dana Duckworth and Courtney Kupets-Carter“.
One concept new to me was optical allyship: when we focus on ourselves rather than the victims. It’s a dodge. For example …
https://twitter.com/CoachJeffGraba/status/1268979062992756736
One ‘tell‘ for me is whether or not statements include Black Lives Matter #BlackLivesMatter.
If not, they are usually avoiding the biggest controversy to not offend somebody or other. Weak support.
Check too if there’s an actual apology for past injustice at the University. A promise of action in future. If not, it’s likely just weasel words. Nothing will change.
GymCastic was impressed that K.J. Kindler and Mark Williams marched for George Floyd.
Cal Women’s Gymnastics supported the Black Lives Matter run June 8th. A good sign.
Other sports have done more. Especially football. A racist coach was put on leave at Iowa. His base pay $800,000 / year.
UCLA gymnast Margzetta Frazier talks to BBC Sport about the death of American George Floyd and discrimination in gymnastics.
All lives will matter when Black Lives Matter.
Today Kiana Winston is a social worker, encouraging us to “advocate and work towards ending the deeply rooted racism, social injustices, and police brutality in this country.”
Originally from Texas Dreams, Kiana graduated College team in 2018.
Click over to Facebook to read her very positive memories at Alabama. Roll Tide.
Many College Gymnastics coaches are sharing a message on Twitter.
And asking 5 others to join them.
A few examples:
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
One thing I’ve always admired about the Bruins is the racial diversity of their teams.
It’s difficult to get data on racial bias in judging, but it should be easy to compare NCAA teams for diversity.
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
Chris Licameli was three years an Assistant Coach at Southeast Missouri.
Recall he was the self-funded coach for Canada at the last FISU Games, a team which included SEMO gymnast Alana Fischer.
In a new, personal blog post, Chris recounts a number of racist incidents he observed with the team and — at times — tried to stop.
“More needs to be addressed by the university & Athletics Department on this current Human Rights Issue of racism in this country, the NCAA, and at this Institution.
I have reached out to the Athletic Director of this institution’s Athletic Department letting them know that there are still public displays of racism on official team social media accounts and the athletic department’s website. …
To all my former black student athletes, black student athletes across the NCAA, and to all persons of color, I stand with you, I am here to listen, advocate, and support, because BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
Read his entire post.
Here’s a statement from the SEMO Athletics Department.
One of the clearest statements, so far.
Click PLAY or watch it on Twitter.
The good news is that Alabama is taking action after former gymnast Tia Kiaku revealed allegations against the program Tuesday.
In a statement Wednesday, Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne confirmed a Title IX investigation was conducted after Kiaku accused assistant coach Bill Lorenz …
No specific apology to Tia, so far, but that might be one eventual result of the investigation.
Here’s Coach Dana Duckworth’s statement.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 