MINNESOTA MEN’S GYMNASTICS APPROVED AS U of M CLUB PROGRAM!

After submitting a second application, the Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics Student Organization received University approval and became a Campus Life Program on August 1st. Coming back under the University umbrella allows the 2024-2025 25-member team to represent the University of Minnesota publicly. Uniform and social media rebranding are underway. Some of the administrative responsibilities such as acquiring liability insurance and making travel arrangements revert to University staff. The following student-athletes are stepping up to provide leadership for the new Club team and organization:

  • Jack Gagamov, President

  • Owen Frank, Vice President, Facilities & Safety

  • Justin Lancisi, Social Media/Communications

  • Noah Wills, Treasurer

  • Luke Pedersen, Travel Coordinator

As such, these young leaders will liaise with the Sports Club Division of RecWell and their teammates to execute responsibilities for the management, administration, budgeting, hiring of coaches, and logistics that will make practice and competition possible.

“It was the worst of times, it was the best of times.”

Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics completed an historic undefeated season in May, capped off with National and Conference Team Championships. Soon after being awarded Club Program status, the University let the team know they would need to find another practice facility.

Over the course of several weeks in late May and early June, team members, supporters and volunteers removed the equipment from Cooke Hall and loaded most of it onto a 53’ trailer where it is remains safely stored. RecWell staff secured limited no-cost storage space in the Bell Museum basement for equipment that would not fit onto the trailer. Several alumni pitched in with tools, time and strong backs to tear down and move gymnastics equipment to the trailer and to the Bell Museum basement. Mini-Hops gymnasts, their coaches, parents, and grandparents worked long, hard hours, too. This phenomenal showing of community support included alumni family members, friends and fans of the program who got dirty and sweaty alongside team members and coaches. Others sent food or brought bottled water and snacks to help everyone keep up their energy through these long, hot, dusty days.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED!! 😀

Now what?

Well…team leaders and volunteers are actively searching for a permanent practice location that adequately meets the needs of this incredibly talented GymACT team. In the meantime, the practice equipment the 2024-2025 team will need to stay atop the GymACT league remains packed from floor to ceiling and wall to wall in this trailer, costing the Club $500 every month in storage fees. Yes, the Club welcomes any suggestions you may have for a highly secure, less costly storage site for the trailer. Please send your suggestions to Mike@MinnesotaGymnastics.org.

Continuing to operate at a highly competitive level will require additional funding, significantly more than the previous year’s budgets. MMG counts on dedicated supporters and donors like you to make this happen.

ALL donations to the Friends of Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics remain tax-deductible, and they are the lifeblood of the Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics GymACT Program. The need has never been greater. Stand with this national championship team as they write the next chapter of men’s gymnastics in Minnesota. Let’s build on the success of last season by investing in this team and the future of men’s gymnastics.

Won’t you take a moment right now to show your support?

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS TO BE ORDERED SOON!

The final design and sizing for the 2024 National Championships rings are almost complete. Each team member, coach, staff, and FMMG Board Members will receive rings this fall. A ring ceremony will be held for all those able to attend.

Here’s a look at the ring design!

A PATCHWORK OF FALL TRAINING OPTIONS EMERGE

The team will utilize several training sites across the Twin Cities for the Fall Semester. Several gyms have extended invitations to train at select times of the day on certain days of the week.

The gyms stepping up include: Mini Hops Gymnastics in Plymouth, North Shore Gymnastics in Maple Plain, Twin City Twisters in Champlin, and Kenwood Gymnastics in St Louis Park. Each will be carving out times for team members to train. Peik Gym on campus will be available for Vault and some Floor Exercise practice as well.

Negotiations for a stand-alone location close to campus are underway. However, use of this location will require equipment set up and tear down on a weekly basis. Luminare, a wedding event center, has agreed to allow us to utilize their space during the week from Monday to Thursday. Pommel Horse, Still Rings, Parallel Bars, and High Bar can be set up during the week with a mandatory tear down on Thursdays to accommodate their weekend events business. While not without extra work, this option may work as a temporary stop gap as the Friends of Minnesota Men’s Gymnastics (FMMG) was able to purchase some additional equipment from the University formerly used in Maturi Pavilion for competitions.

The use of and travel to multiple gyms and Luminare create an additional funding burden for the team as does the recent equipment purchase. You have the power to offset these costs with your tax-deductible contribution. There is no amount too small!

Donation can be made to FMMG by visiting our website: https://minnesotagymnastics.org/donate-to-the-fmmg  or through the Donate Link above or at the bottom of this email.

THE JOURNEY BEGINS AGAIN FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH At 7:00 PM

Longtime supporter and alumni of the Gopher Gymnastics program, Brian Meeker, and his wife, Barb, will be hosting our annual Fall Kickoff and Get Together at their home. The address is 2008 Girard Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405. 

They continue to graciously open their home to team members, alumni, parents, and supporters of the program to enjoy food, drink and each other's company!

Please let Mike Burns know you will be attending by emailing him at mike@minnesotagymnastics.org by September 1st. Letting Mike, Brian and Barb know you’re coming ensures there will be enough food and beverages for all to enjoy. They look forward to seeing you there!

ANNUAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCH COMING SOON

The generosity of MMG supporters, many of whom were part of the former NCAA program, created a strong foundation for making the past three seasons possible. The astounding energy and generosity of the parents of current team members has been incredible and allowed this program to achieve new heights culminating in this GymACT team’s first National Championship earlier this year. Friends and supporters who appreciate and understand the importance of this work for men’s collegiate gymnastics have made a difference with their donations as well.

To former and current team members and donors reading this, please accept our gratitude. MMG would not exist without all of you who have given your talent, time and treasure. And to those who will be supporting MMG for the first time, welcome to the family. We appreciate you.

Watch for information coming your way about the Club and FMMG’s fundraising efforts to support the 2024-2025 season.

There’s no need to wait. If you’re as excited as this team for the 2024-2025 Season, make your gift today!

Donations can be made through our website, https://minnesotagymnastics.org/  or click on the donate button at the bottom of this newsletter. 

THANK YOU!!

OLYMPIC TRIALS COME TO THE TARGET CENTER IN MINNEAPOLIS

The City of Minneapolis hit a grand slam bringing the Olympic Trials to the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis the last week of June.

Minnesota’s own Shane Wiskus put on an amazing show as the hometown favorite. Both nights of competition, his expansive base of supporters let their voices be heard cheering him on through one of the most epic performances of his career! Selected to be a traveling alternate for the team, Shane returned to the Olympics, traveling to Paris in that role. Congratulations to Shane and the USA Men’s Team for an historic performance that put them on the podium with a Team Bronze Medal.  

This team, especially Stephen Nedoroscik and Frederick Richard, brought new energy and recognition to men’s gymnastics through their social media efforts and media appearances. Who knows what Stephen’s upcoming appearances on “Dancing with the Stars” will do to heighten awareness and interest in the sport!

To stay up-to-date with the latest news follow us on our socials!