Greenville University Adds Men's Gymnastics

Please join the College Gymnastics Association in welcoming Greenville University to NCAA Gymnastics.  The University announced in a release this afternoon that they would be adding both men’s and women’s gymnastics programs.  The addition is a huge win for the community and will be the second Division III program to feature men’s gymnastics along with Springfield College.  Greenville University is an accredited Christian liberal arts university with more than 1,100 students, including traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the University is located in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri.

"The news that Greenville University will be adding a Men's Gymnastics program is ground breaking to the future of our sport,” stated Randy Jepson, President of the College Gymnastics Association and Head Men’s Gymnastics Coach at Penn State.  “I congratulate the administration of Greenville University on their willingness to think outside the box and lead in a courageous way that I hope other institutions will emulate.  Collegiate Men's Gymnastics and intercollegiate athletics in general is better today because of their bold and decisive leadership."

The addition of this vital program could not have come to fruition without The PICTOR Group, hired by USA Gymnastics to help sustain and grow NCAA Men’s Gymnastics.  The partnership has already landed the biggest news in recent memory as they continue to make progress towards achieving a sustainable future for the sport.

“Congratulations to Greenville University for adding the first NCAA Men’s Gymnastics program in decades,” Sandy Hatfield Clubb, president and lead consultant for The PICTOR Group, said. “As we engaged in our work to help USA Gymnastics and NCAA Men’s Gymnastics coaches to revive and advance the sport, we intentionally sought out strong Division III athletics programs. President Davis and Athletics Director Tom Ackerman are forward thinking and focused on developing a comprehensive program that will serve their university and their community. They are developing a model for sport that has been conceptualized by the USOPC College Sports Sustainability Think Tank. Greenville will be the catalyst that changes the trajectory of NCAA Men’s Gymnastics.”

Also, a special thanks to AAI for answering the call to help grow the sport at the NCAA level.  AAI will be a key partner overcoming the start-up costs of new NCAA programs. The new facility will house both of the newly founded programs as well as opportunities for younger gymnasts in the surrounding area.  The search has begun for a Head Coach as well as a Facility Coordinator.

Greenville University is the first of what is hoped to be many programs added over the next several years.  The College Gymnastics Association applauds the efforts of all of those involved and continues to work to raise the profile of Men’s NCAA Gymnastics and provide opportunities for aspiring athletes.