ziert alert!
IG Variety
Serving Gymnastics Since 1956 P.O. Box 721020, Norman, OK 73070 Tel: (405) 447-9988 Fax: (405) 447-5810 Printed in USA IG Online: www.intlgymnast.com Letters to the Editor: ig@intlgymnast.com
I AM REALLY EXCITED and proud of this issue of IG. I think
it reflects our ability to offer the most complete range of
coverage of the sport available.
While working in New York City recently, Bart and
Nadia managed to secure tickets to the 10-time Tony
winning Broadway show, Billy Elliot the Musical, and
they learned that one of the Billys had a very close con-
nection to gymnastics. Our editor, Dwight Normile,
used that as a lead to delve into the amazing story of
gymnast Alex Ko from Iowa City, Iowa, who made it all the way to Times
Square to star in one of the hottest shows on Broadway (p. 22).
After casting Jeffrey Wammes from the Netherlands in a show I produced in
Seoul, Korea, in 2008, I have followed the development of his great potential.
And through that contact, I learned that Sadao Hamada, the former super
coach for Stanford from 1972-2003, spends near-
ly half the year working with the Dutch gymnasts
(p. 10). The rest of the year he lives in his native
Japan. Hence, we were able to track him down
Since Hamada coached during some of the most
glorious days of NCAA men’s gymnastics, I am
sure he shudders at the present state of that sector
of our sport. The grim news that University of
California-Berkeley might eliminate its pro-
gram, as the state of California wrestles with
gigantic budget cuts, is truly alarming. No one has
been more passionate about his gymnasts and the sport itself than Cal coach
Barry Weiner. And to think that the program is poised to celebrate its 100th
anniversary in two years.
Nevertheless, I watch the coaches of the other existing programs do little to
improve their product. With few, if any, of the programs able to draw more than
500 spectators at any dual-meet competition, something radical needs to be
done and yet we see nothing being done.
Having spent 10 years coaching at that level, I am truly saddened by this situation. Until decisions can be made to create a product that can be successfully
marketed to the general public, the existence of these programs will continue to
be in jeopardy. Or are they all destined to become university club programs?
On the flip side, women’s NCAA gymnastics continues to flourish, as evidenced by Tracy Gale’s feature on p. 37, “Transition: How elites are changing
collegiate gymnastics—and vice versa.” Surely, men’s NCAA gymnastics should
be able to learn something from the women.
And finally, I think you will really enjoy John Crumlish’s story on former
Soviet star Irina Baraksanova (p. 28) and our “ 10 Questions” interview with
the Klaus men, Bruno and Brent (p. 12). Bruno’s generosity to the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame—and to the sport itself—is legendary.
PUBLISHER
Paul Ziert
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Bart Conner
PUBLISHER EMERITUS
Glenn M. Sundby
EDI TOR /AR T DIREC TOR
Dwight Normile
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Nadia Comaneci
WRITERS
John Crumlish, Amanda Turner, Christian Ivanov
Nevertheless, I
watch the coaches
of the other existing programs do
little to improve
their product.
PHOTOGRAPHERS
CONTRIBUTORS
Anneleen Kaptein-Dekker, Amy Van Deusen
WEBSITE
John Crumlish, Amanda Turner
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Benjamin Fox
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Lynn Landis
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Judy Baker
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