Frequently Asked Questions
Is Any Gymnastics Experience Necessary?
No! We have a complete range of abilities from beginners to gymnasts who have done gymnastics most of their lives. Many members did gymnastics previously and decided to pick it back up again in college. There are no tryouts. Your love of gymnastics and your commitment is all that is needed to be a member of our club!
Do you have a coach is and their spotting available?
Yes. We have a paid coach for both our women’s team and our men’s team. Spotting is available at most all practices.
How much does it cost and what does the club provide?
The cost to you is minimal. There are club dues, which are around $100 for the entire year. Also, you are responsible for paying for your grips and your meals at away meets. However, most things are provided by or paid for from the club budget such as: competition uniforms, competition warm-ups, meet entry fees, transportation costs for away meets, gas, hotel rooms for away meets, gym supplies such as chalk and tape, and athletic training services.
Where and When do you practice?
We practice at Green Mountain Training Center in Williston, VT, which is a 10 minute drive from campus, We practice Sundays from 6:30 to 9:00 pm and Monday through Thursday 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Are practices mandatory?
Sundays are mandatory for all team members. Monday through Thursday practices are not mandatory, but for gymnasts planning on competing we require 3 days of practice a week for safety reasons.
Are carpools available to practice?
Yes. Our club officers oversee all our carpool schedules so that everyone who needs a ride to practice has one.
Who do you compete against and how is lineup determined?
We compete against other collegiate clubs such as BU, Cambridge Cornell, Syracuse, UConn, Univ. of New England, UPenn, Penn St and URI. We usually have 4 meets during the year as well as attending the NAIGC National Championship. Meets with other clubs are always fun and very low pressure. The captains and coaches make the lineup for each meet and usually everyone who wants to compete can.
How do you travel to meets?
All intercollegiate club meets are within driving distance and the club provides rented vans. Certain members of the club, who are UVM van safety certified, serve as drivers. Occasionally, the NAIGC Nationals requires air travel. When this occurs, the club arranges for the flight reservations, however, individual club members are required to pay for part of the cost of their flight.
Will I miss much school due to competitions?
Very little. Most meets are on Saturdays and the team will leave on Friday after classes. Very rarely, some classes on Friday will be missed if an earlier departure time is necessary. The only meet that involves missed class days in a row is the NAIGC National Championships, where we usually miss three days. Official letter of excused absence are given to professors to allow for missed classes and most professors understand the significance of this national championship and will allow missed work to be rescheduled.
Who do I contact to learn more about UVM gymnastics?