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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Educational Experience
Scholarships
Gymnastics Opportunities
The Team Experience
Travel Opportunities
The Training Experience
Program Funding
WMGT compared to NCAA Programs
The future of NCAA Programs
Joining the WMG Team
General Questions
What is WMGT?
If it's not an NCAA
team and its not a "club" team how would you describe WMGT?
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As an elite
training program we provide training and competition
opportunities based on the pathways that best meet each
individual gymnast's goals. For those men who have
completed college or are not currently pursuing college
coursework, WMGT competes in multiple elite meets every
year. In addition, men taking college level
courses are also eligible to participate in college
meets including the USAG Collegiate National
Championships.
How many people are
on the team?
How long has the team
been in existence?
Educational
Experience
Why are academics
important in the WMGT experience?
-
For those
athletes whose professional goals require a degree, it
is very important. We are committed to being a
part of helping each man grow and develop as a complete
person. Athletes must meet the academic
requirements in order to compete in college meets and
the USAG Collegiate National Championships.
back to top
Scholarships
What kinds of
scholarships are available to me as a WMGT gymnast?
-
Currently there
are 3 different scholarships available to gymnasts
wanting to attend college and compete for the WMGT.
Two are sponsored by the Washington Men's Gymnastics
Foundation and on is sponsored by USAG. In 2010
over $15,000 in College Scholarships were awarded by the
WMGF to WMG Team Members. Scholarships are
renewable annually after an approved reapplication.
More info here.
How much money is
available annually through the WMGF for college
scholarships?
-
The WMGF budgets
a minimum of $10,000 towards college scholarships.
In 2010, $15,500 was awarded to various team members.
WMGF scholarships are awarded based on financial need,
academic standing, potential, and gymnastics ability.
More info here.
How do the WMG
scholarship opportunities compare to NCAA program
opportunities?
-
Most people are
under the false impression that NCAA gymnasts are all on
full scholarships. The fact is that each of the 16
NCAA programs are only allowed to offer a total of 6.3
scholarships for their entire team at any given time.
That means that on average they can only offer the
equivalent of 1.575 scholarships each year. NCAA
rules allow each team to distribute scholarships however
they want, but most NCAA gymnasts receive only 30% or
less. Very few receive full scholarships.
-
For in-state
athletes, WMG out-performs most NCAA programs in it's
ability to underwrite college tuition. The only
limit to the size of WMGF scholarships is the
availability of funds and the number of athletes needing
support. We have no outside restrictions on the
distribution of our funds. Most WMG athletes who
have need and apply, receive the financial support they
need to successfully complete their college and
gymnastics goals. back to top
Gymnastics
Opportunities
I have just
assumed that my gymnastics career would end when I finished
high school. Why is WMG a viable option to achieving
my long-term gymnastics goals?
-
Because WMG is no
subject to NCAA eligibility requirements, our athletes
are eligible to train and compete for as many years as
they want. Our program is built around the
personal goals that each athlete sets for himself.
We are structured to provide the training plan and
competitive experience that allows men to compete at the
highest national and international levels, regardless of
the number of years it takes them to prepare. We
have a proven track record for building gymnasts that
can attain very high competitive levels.
What kind of track
record does WMG have for producing high caliber gymnasts?
-
WMG has produced
5 Collegiate National All-Around Champions, numerous
event champions and All Americans. We have sent
competitors to USA Nationals, Winter Cup, and even the
World Championships. Jeff
Johnson placed 8th on the rings at the 2002 World
Championships in Debrecen Hungary.
Mike Williams was the first
US gymnast to compete a triple back tuck on the floor
exercise. And Jeff Crockett
is the only one in the world to have successfully
performed a double twisting Jäger, informally know as
"the Crockett".
How far can the
program take me to achieving my goals? Are there any limits
to how high a competitive level WMG is willing to support
me?
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How far do you
want to go? The prescription for success in our
program includes, clear goals, a specific plan,
persistent progress, hard work, dedication and
relentless tenacity. All the resources you need to
achieve your goals are here. The biggest question
is how dedicated are you to doing the work to accomplish
them? You should also remember that as a WMG team
member, all of your training, travel and competitive
fees are paid.
How many years of
competitive eligibility do I have?
The Team
Experience
What makes WMG a
unique team experience?
Besides training and
competing, are there other team building opportunities?
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Fundraising
responsibilities give us the opportunity to work
together and depend on each other in ways that training
and competing alone cannot do. We also schedule
team camping/hiking trips to local mountains and lakes,
travel internationally and other annual events such ad
the "WMG Team Olympics". back to top
Travel
Opportunities
What are some
examples of meets in which team members have competed?
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Over the past 20
years, team members have competed at Collegiate
Nationals, Winter Cup, USA Nationals and the World
Championships. Every year there are 6-8
opportunities to travel throughout the US competing in
College and elite meets.
Are there
opportunities to travel internationally? How
frequently does the team go out of the country?
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The WMGF has a
goal of traveling internationally every 3-4 years.
The team has traveled and competed/trained in Costa Rica
(2003 & 2004), Japan (2006), and Guatemala (2008).
These trips have also provided opportunities to sight
see and discover amazing cultures. back to top
Training
Experience
What can you tell me
about the coach Mark Russo?
Where are the
training facilities?
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The team trains
in the largest, free standing, state-of-the-art
gymnastics facility in the Northwest. Cascade
Elite Gymnastics is located in Mountlake Terrace, which
is about 25 minutes north of downtown Seattle.
What equipment is
available?
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The team has
access to all the training tools that we need: 2 sets of
rings, 4 high bars, 2 vaults, 2 pommel horses, 3 sets of
P-bars, a full sized floor, and tumble strip. In
addition we have access to supplemental training tools
including, tumble trak, and foam/resi pits for rings,
high bar, p-bars, vault, and floor.
What is the weekly
training schedule?
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 2:30-8:00pm (event and strength
training)
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Thursday:
6:00-8:30pm (working primarily dismounts on high bar,
rings, p-bars, and pommel horse)
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Saturday
10:00am-2:00pm (event training)
Does WMG train all
year round?
Program
Funding
What does it cost to
train and compete with WMG?
How does the WMG Team
raise funds?
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Throughout the
school year the team participates in a variety of events
to raise funds for training, competition and travel.
These events include, ushering at UW home football
games, and setting up and tearing down the UW women's
gymnastics competitions. Team members also help
with age group competitions around the Seattle area as
well.
What do I get in
return for participating in fundraising efforts?
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23 hours of
training a week for 52 weeks a year
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World Class
Coaching
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Travel costs
including hotel, meals, airfare and all meet expenses
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Uniforms
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Training supplies
including grips and tape
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Griends and
experiences that will transform you and last a lifetime.
What kind of
commitment do I have to make?
WMG compared
to NCAA Programs
Are there any
advantages to the WMG program over an NCAA gymnastics
program?
Are there advantages
to NCAA programs over WMG?
Does WMG have to
operate within the NCAA limits and restrictions?
How do the WMG
scholarship opportunities compare to NCAA scholarships?
-
Most people are
under the false impression that NCAA gymnasts are all on
full scholarships. The fact is that each of the 16
NCAA College Gymnastics programs are only allowed to
offer a total of 6.3 scholarships for their entire team
at any given time. That means that on average they
can only offer the equivalent of 1.575 scholarships each
year. NCAA rules allow each team to distribute
scholarships however they want, but most NCAA gymnasts
receive only 30% or less. Very few receive full
scholarships.
-
For in-state
athletes, WMG out-performs most NCAA programs in it's
ability to underwrite college tuition. The only
limit to the size of WMGF scholarships is the
availability of funds and the number of athletes needing
support. We have no outside restrictions on the
distribution of our funds. Most WMG athletes who
have need and apply, receive the financial support they
need to successfully complete their college and
gymnastics goals. back to top
The future
of NCAA Gymnastics Programs
I heard there used to
be a lot more NCAA Men's Gymnastics Programs. What happened
to them all?
-
The enactment of
the Title IX in the 1970's had a significant impact on
all men's collegiate sports and in particular, Men's
Gymnastics. Athletic Directors have been forced to
eliminate many programs in order to meet the federal
law. At one point there were over 230 college
gymnastics programs throughout the United States.
Currently there are only 16.
Is there a
possibility that colleges will add Men's Gymnastics Programs
in the future?
-
The future of
Men's Collegiate Gymnastics is unknown. Only two
NCAA programs have been successfully reinstated.
Michigan, and just recently California Berkley.
Cal's reinstatement wasn't even a full reinstatement,
they now have to raise funds for scholarships each year.
Other programs have been dropping at an accelerated rate
ever since Title IX was passed.
I have always dreamed
about getting a gymnastics scholarship to an NCAA school.
How realistic is that?
-
Honestly,
gymnasts have a much higher likelihood of receiving
substantial scholarship support from the WMGF than at
NCAA programs. Most people are under the false
impression that NCAA gymnasts are all on full
scholarships. The fact is that each of the 16 NCAA
College Gymnastics programs are only allowed to offer a
total of 6.3 scholarships for their entire team at any
given time. That means that on average they can
only offer the equivalent of 1.575 scholarships each
year. NCAA rules allow each team to distribute
scholarships however they want, but most NCAA gymnasts
receive only 30% or less. Very few receive full
scholarships. back to top
Joining the WMG Team
How do I get more
information about WMG?
What is the
application process?
-
The application
process is really quite simple. You can download
an application from the website or email
team@wmgf.us
requesting an application packet and one will be sent to
you. In the packet there's some more information
about the program, a list of schools in the area,
information about Seattle, a team application and
scholarship applications.
When is the right age
to start talking to the coaches about being a part of the
WMGT?
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Its never too
early to start learning about WMG, but genuine
discussions about your interest in WMG can begin early
in High School. Unlike NCAA teams, you can contact
coach Mark Russo any time at any age to begin
discussions about your gymnastics and academic future.
Can WMG help me with
identifying good school options in the Seattle area?
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