User:Kellyb613/Gymkana

Gymkana
Gymkana is a is a non-profit student gymnastics group based in University of Maryland’s School of Public Health that performs high-impact exhibition routines combining traditional gymnastics and extreme acrobatics. Fifteen of the 80 members of Gymkana’s troupe are currently semi-final contestants on NBC’s reality show America’s Got Talent. Established in 1946, Gymkana acts as “ambassadors of healthy living” to young people and seeks to inspire drug-free and healthy lifestyles through positive outreach to area schools. They regularly perform shows for elementary, middle, and high schools in the Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia region and also perform during athletic events on the University of Maryland, College Park campus. In addition to outreach to public schools, the troupe also mentors kids ages 5-16 through gymnastics classes and a summer camp. They also offer an adult class for those 17 and older.

Mission
Gymkana’s mission is to promote drug, alcohol and tobacco-free living to young people. Since 1967,each student-athlete participating in the Gymkana troupe has pledged to remain 100 % drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. This mission fits with the goals of the University of Maryland School of Public Health, which seeks to promote health throughout the lifespan and supports initiatives to influence and model healthy behaviors.

Philosophy
Gymkana's philosophy is that anyone can learn gymnastics regardless of experience or abilities, so membership is open to students of all abilities and backgrounds. The troupe seeks to empower young people of varying athletic abilities and body types through physical activity and camaraderie with peers in their classes and camps.

=== History ===

Early Years
The Gymkana troupe was established at the University of Maryland in 1946 by Dr. David A. Field with the goals of providing a healthful recreational activity for students, promoting the sport of gymnastics, and providing entertainment to the University and communities visited. In its early years, shows contained a vaudeville-like mixture of gymnastics, dancing, music, and comedy. Performing at local schools, on television, and at military bases throughout the country and overseas, the troupe earned the title “Ambassadors of Good Will.” Beginning in 1953, George Kramer, who performed with Gymkana while a student, took over as Gymkana troupe director and head coach and continued for 32 years. In addition to coaching and directing, Dr. Kramer was instrumental in developing the 20,000 square foot Gymkana gymnasium into one of the best gymnastic teaching and training facilities in the nation. He also served as a professor and acting dean in the University of Maryland’s College of Health and Human Performance (now the School of Public Health), of which the Gymkana troupe is a part. Gymkana added the mission of promoting drug-free lifestyles to young people in 1967, under Kramer’s leadership.

1980-2000
In 1985, Dr. Joseph Murray took over as director after being involved with the troupe since 1963, first as a student and then as a coach (from 1967 on). It was in the mid-80’s that Gymkana started referring to themselves as “Ambassadors of Healthy Living” to emphasize their mission to be role models to young people. In 1991, current director and head coach Mr. Scott Welsh came to the University of Maryland and the Gymkana Troupe as a student. Welsh coached the Gymkana Summer Camp, Gymkana Saturday Classes and also coached for various area gymnastic clubs while a student. As a Gymkana team member, he held the position of Vice President, Design Committee Chair and won the David A. Field Best Trouper Award as well as the George F. Kramer Four and Five-Year Leadership Awards. Upon graduating from the Department of Kinesiology in 1996, Mr. Welsh became an Assistant Coach for the Gymkana Troupe.

2000-Present
In August of 2000, Scott Welsh was appointed Head Coach and Assistant Director of the Gymkana Troupe. When Dr. Joseph Murray retired in the summer of 2001, Mr. Welsh was appointed Director and Head Coach of the Gymkana Troupe, Gymkana Summer Gymnastics Camp and Gymkana Saturday Gymnastic Program. Mr. Welsh has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the University of Maryland Women’s Gymnastic Team. In addition to his roles with Gymkana, Mr. Welsh is also the gymnastic facility coordinator for the University of Maryland, an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology in the School of Public Health, and the tumbling coach of the National Champion University of Maryland Competitive Cheer Squad.

=== Leadership ===


 * Dr. David A. Field, director and head coach from 1946-1953
 * Dr. George Kramer, director and head coach from 1953-1985
 * Dr. Joseph Murray, director and head coach from 1985-1997
 * Mr. Scott Welsh, director and head coach from 1997-Present

=== Routines ===

Gymkana performs both traditional gymnastic acts such as the parallel bars, uneven bars, balance beam, and high bar, as well as more circus-like performances, utilizing vaulting, chairs, hand balancing, and ladders.

=== America’s Got Talent ===

Gymkana is currently one of 24 semi-finalist contestants on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Their fist television appearance was on August 9, 2011 when they competed in the YouTube competition. Gymkana and the 11 other acts edged out almost 10,000 others who submitted audition videos. The student-athletes performed one of their signature acts, the ladder routine, for their Aug. 9th competition. They will appear again in the America’s Got Talent live semi-final competition on either Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 or Tuesday, August, 30th, 2011.