Super User
Minnesota Board of Regents Finalizes Decision to Cut Men's Gymnastics
Sadly, despite a strong case, the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota voted to cut Men's gymnastics, indoor track and field and tennis. The motion passed by a 7 to 5 vote. The Men's program had developed a counter proposal that showed a path to self-funding and the addition of a new women's sports paid for through a public club program. Originally, the University had been expecting up to a $70M shortfall in their budget. After the resumption of football, this deficit has been cut down to $30M. Despite this positive changes, these thee sports were not spared. Men's outdoor track and field has survived and roster cuts to other sports have been planned, but not finalized. These cuts on the women's side may be lessened with the decision to save men's outdoor track and field.
Link: MN Daily
Alaska-Anchorage Begins Fundraising Campaign to Save Program
UAA needs to raise $888K by February 15th, 2021 in order to save their program. Please see the link below for ways you can donate or pledge.
Link: GoFundMe
NCAA Women's Code Modifications for 2021
The NCAA Committee has released the Women's NCAA Code Modifications for 2020-2021. Read below for the rules changes this season. ** Spoiler alert -- they are minor **
Pandarariu to Defer to 2021-2022 at UCLA
Canadian World Championship medalist Ana Pandurariu, who was set to start her frosh year at UCLA, has elected to defer until 2021-2022 and focus on her Olympic training.
Link: Instagram
2021-2022: Clarmo to UW La Crosse
Canadian Annie Clarmo has committed to compete for UW La Crosse in 2021-2022. She's a Canadian L10 from Revolution Gymnastics. This past spring, she placed 8th AA at the International Gymnix meet.
2021-2022: Washington to Pitt
Sidney Washington, a L10 at Gym America, has committed to Pitt for 2021-2022. In 2019, she placed 5th AA, 7th(t) on BB and 9th(t) on FX at the Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals. This past season, she won the AA titles in her sessions at the Tim Rand Invitational, Tampa Bay Turners Invite, Wolverine Classic and Gymnastics on the Grand.
Link: Personal Website and Videos
In Memoriam, 2020: Mari-Rae Sopper, 9/11/01
On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams, as well as the others who lost their lives that fateful day.
SCSU Hires Knox as New Head Coach
SCSU has hired Byron Knox as their new Head Coach. Know was the Head Coach at Bridgeport for the last 16 seasons, and led the squad to six straight USA Gymnastics National titles. He was a gymnast on SCSU's Men's team, a member of the US National team and coached at SCSU and Yale. Bridgeport faces some uncertainty as the university has been acquired. A number of gymnasts have transferred during the off-season.
Link: Release
Gymnastics at Risk: Four Programs Cut, Two Saved
The financial aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis have put athletics departments across the country under financial distress. Already, schools have announced cuts to their Gymnastics programs. Men are especially at risk with the loss of critical mass that could lead to the extinction of the sport in the NCAA. Here's the running list, one that we hope remains at five or less:
2020-2021: Arizona Welcomes Two More to Incoming Class
Arizona has announced the addition of Halli Mayberry and Taylor Raskin to the 2020-2021 roster. The commits of both athletes were covered previously.
Link: Release