Can you imagine teaching children gymnastics in a community for almost 40 years, building and investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into a state-of-the-art training facility only to have  another  (Rival) private club program not in the same town (for that matter  not even in the same county) train their competitive team, in addition to their  private facility, also  training in a $1.5 million University facility right in your own backyard.  (literally in the same very small town) Wouldn’t it be nice for all of us in the gymnastics business to not have to consider putting specialty Training stations such as pits, multiple sets of equipment, trench bars,  etc. in our clubs not to mention adding to our calling card “as one of our team members you will also be able to train at the flagship State University training facility where all of the college athletes that you aspire to be like train on a daily basis”. Yes, the same facility  and University that may someday offer you  a scholarship. The facility where all of the accolades of former regional, national and other recognitions are displayed along with all the other super motivational atmosphere created in a very high-profile programs facility.  Who knows you may even get to interact with the university athletes and coaches. (This certainly would only be by chance and highly unlikely.) However, who would ever know if these contacts actually take place. And if you just happen to be a high school athlete, it is still perfectly okay for these coincidences and on-campus practices to take place. The NCAA will overlook any possible compromises that this may have on your eligibility or the universities totally inadvertent contacts or motivation. Isn’t it amazing that this program feels that they are above and beyond everyone else. And the university coaches somehow see these practices as justified. Why are the rest of us refinancing loans and depending on fundraisers and sponsors to help us to upgrade our training stations? The same program purchased a full AAI STRATUM  floor deck (with foam and carpet) for a mere $4000 + contribution toward a resi pit  For the University.   (That must certainly be a very special Resi Pit.) Who needs Santa Claus when you have a sugar daddy state institution.

Of course as promised this is only the tip of the iceberg . (yet to come-liability, ethics, tax payers have every right to use state facilities, they bought them/not, Universities need to focus on their own programs, CLUBS ARE PRIVATE BUSINESSES AND PAY TAXES, INSURANCES, ETC.)