All Things Gymnastics

Ten Steps to More Profit Through Better Relationships

2007-04-04T15:50:00.000-07:00

By Ken Wood: DGS 9.9's Consulting Partner

It is a given that our companies are only as good as our employees. It is problematic for us to do the multitudes of jobs required in a gymnastics business or multi-sport facility ourselves. So we must rely on others, our employees, to get the work done and get it done right. The single biggest problem in most gyms is hiring good employees who are beneficial to the bottom line. For many years, hiring the right person was hit or miss for us. Clearly, something had to change and that change had to come from me. After several attempts my company, Paragon Training Centers in Fredericksburg, Virginia has been able to put together a strong group of managers who are able to understand the importance of increasing the bottom line as one of our company’s goals. However, what may interest you the most is how we have achieved this end.

We have for some time followed the commonly accepted practice of hiring high-quality people with good attitudes who fit the attributes we are looking for and then training them for the position. Unfortunately many less successful companies often hire new employees for skills already possessed and do not recognize the importance of how an applicant’s attitude and work ethic would support the business’s ultimate goal of the bottom-line and profit. Here are ten steps you can take to improve your relationship with your partners (employees) and, if you choose to make these changes, you will see improved relationships, increased profits and a happier staff.

1. Admit your mistakes - Nothing will improve your relationships faster than admitting your mistakes before they are presented to you, or become a larger issue. Show evidence of both correction and learning from it. You can disarm any conflict by admitting your mistake first.

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff - The ability to overlook the daily issues and rise above pettiness goes a long way to giving employees the sense of freedom necessary to do their jobs well.

3. Accept what (and who) you can’t change - The ability to accept an individual as they are is the single most important aspect of showing respect to another individual. It is also sometimes the most difficult.

4. Put people where they belong - Everyone is different and have differing abilities or gifts. The biggest mistake managers make is to look at others through their own gifts and expectations they have of themselves. Doing this marginalizes the individual, making it impossible to utilize the employee effectively, creating an inefficient situation. When this happens the manager has made his own strengths into weaknesses not just for himself, but for the company as well.

5. Appreciate what you have - An employee is motivated more by management showing appreciation for a job well done than any other factor. Study after study shows this. Make sure you show your employees individually what they mean to you as well as the company in tangible, heartfelt ways. Sometimes this only needs to be a word of encouragement.

6. Offer to help - Show a willingness to do any job, any time. Pitch in at parties when understaffed; cover a shift or two when necessary (on top of your own work). Be generally helpful to your staff (no ivory towers!).

7. A positive attitude is a choice - This is infectious, just like a bad attitude. Make sure you set a good example.

8. Change is good - A methodical use of your prerogative to change your mind shows your ability to adjust to new stimuli. If used correctly and at the right time, you will show your staff that you are open to new ideas and ways of doing business. Eventually, your staff will feel comfortable about bringing their own ideas forward, which gives your company more options for improving profitability.

9. OK, what’s next? - Show your staff that working hard to anticipate problems or opportunities can minimize failures or possibly lead to larger profits. For example, changing a policy or tweaking the operating schedule to maximize efficiency during times of peak square footage utilization have the potential to do both, create new problems or make your business more efficient. Encourage your staff to anticipate what these may be and use them in your planning.

10. Require excellence, not perfection - Perfection is impossible. Plan on errors, knowing that everyone is going to make mistakes. By requiring excellence you are telling your staff that mistakes are acceptable but only if they learn from those mistakes and continue to improve both as an employee and a person.

As business owners and managers we are certainly not perfect by any means. Yet, in order to create a healthy work environment where all employees have a vested interest in the viability of the company’s long-term success, we have begun the long path to partnership outlined above. Eventually, if you practice these steps with your department leaders (managers), you will in turn see evidence of your upper level staff enlisting these practices with the employees they are responsible for supervising. The ultimate achievement is a cohesive unit working toward one goal: a team.

Ken Wood is the owner of a multi-sport facility in Fredericksburg, VA and CEO of Paragon Business Consulting Services, an affiliate of DGS 9.9’s. More information on Ken’s services can be found at http://www.gymsupply.com

Creating a Buzz About your Business

2007-04-04T15:49:00.000-07:00

HOW TO GAIN MORE CLIENTS THROUGH ADVERTISING, BRANDING AND MARKETING
By Ken Wood: DGS 9.9's Business Consulting Partner

We all know the days are gone when we could open the doors to our gyms and the kids just walk right in. In today’s market, it is important to reach out to our customers in ever increasing ways. But how? Each market is different and therefore each gym must design a plan for its unique environment and mission. One thing that is common to all gyms is that everyone should be using principles of advertising, marketing and branding to maximize return on effort. The purpose of this article is to teach you how to read the map, not what route you should take.

Let’s start with definitions. Most of us don’t know the difference between marketing and advertising and even the most savvy club owner will hesitate when asked to define branding. But all three are crucial to creating the right atmosphere for growth.

First, advertising. Advertising is the most commonly used term for what gyms commonly do. Essentially, advertising is any effort you make to communicate with customers or potential customers where you have no direct, personal contact and therefore little control of the outcome. Many media are used to deliver these messages: television, radio, movies, magazines, newspapers, the internet, and billboards.

Marketing is anything you do to attract customers or to maintain current clients that is not considered advertising. For example, putting an ad in your local newspaper about a schedule change is considered advertising. But if your front desk speaks to your clients concerning the virtues of the new schedule, then that is marketing. The distinction from advertising is relationship development and the potential to close the sale. Additionally, there is a managerial aspect to marketing. If the schedule change is in response to research conducted into the schedules of educational preschools in your area, then this is an example of the managerial aspect of marketing. 95% of what gyms do is actually marketing, and the rest is branding.

Unlike advertising or marketing, branding is very possibly a foreign concept to many. Branding is an application of marketing techniques to increase the perceived value of a product. By developing your brand as the quality alternative in the marketplace, you increase the possibility of both new sales and repeat business. For instance, Jello brand flavored gelatin was branded so well that we commonly identify the product category as jello. If you are successful in creating a strong brand for your product, you are then capable of charging more for your product than your competitors based on the increase in perceived value. Notice the word perceived. Actual value is important for retention but perceived value is what counts for attracting new customers.

* How do these three interrelated concepts pertain to the gymnastics business? How can the gym owner know when and how to use each? Unfortunately the answer to these questions is unique to the demographics and mission statement of each individual club and depends upon the types of programs offered. Hopefully, the mission statement for each club and the programs offered stem from research done concerning the demographic characteristics of the area. However, there are a few specific concepts that hold true in every market. One very important principle is to understand that there are three types of customers. The customer you do not yet have, the customer currently in your program and the customer who has left your program. In order to maintain your client base and grow, you must market to all three. To make an impact on any of these types of customers you must make an ‘impression’ an average of five times on each unique subject. A few other ‘basics’ for you to keep in mind:

Branding

* A brand name must be easy to pronounce, easy to remember and easy to recognize.

Marketing

* Corporate Level Marketing is done before the business opens and focuses on the type of business to be pursued.

* Business Level Marketing creates business models to develop long term market growth and strategies for competing in the marketplace.

* Functional Level Marketing is the act of attracting and retaining customers.

* ‘Marketing 101’ is all about the four P’s:

* Product - pertains to how you design your programs to satisfy the desires of the customer.

* Pricing - what you decide to charge for your programs and how you arrive at those prices.

* Promotion - decisions concerning advertising, public relations, sales promotion and how you will promote your club or brand, or even a particular program.

* Placement - since our industry is not retail in nature, this refers mainly to the location you choose for your facility.

* Now that you have all of this information, how do you use it? Relating to all three types of customers, you first must decide what kind of business you are going to be and define your mission statement (corporate level marketing). Second, you must decide how you can compete in the marketplace by creating unique, quality programs designed specifically for the type of client you want to attract (business level marketing). Finally, design advertising and marketing campaigns to strengthen your brand, attract new clients and retain the clients you already have (functional level marketing). Use the Four P’s to help you design your business level and functional level marketing programs and remember, your customers need to hear the message five times or more on any given topic to maximize your chances that it will sink in.

* Using this roadmap you can create a buzz about your business and therefore attract new customers, retain current clients and entice former customers to return.

Ken Wood is the president of Paragon Training Center in Fredericksburg, VA and Paragon Business Consulting Services. Paragon Business Consulting Services is affiliated with DGS/9.9’s and provides consulting and commercial lending services to DGS clients. He can be reached by visiting the DGS website at www.gymsupply.com.

Top male gymnasts to compete at 2007 Winter Cup Challenge

2007-04-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Winter Cup’s final round available via free Web cast at usa-gymnastics.org

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Feb. 6, 2007 – 2006 pommel horse world bronze-medalist Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron, and 2005-06 Winter Cup Challenge all-around champion David Durante of Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron, are among the 13 members of the current U.S. Men’s Senior National Team who will compete at the 2007 Winter Cup Challenge, Feb. 8 and 10, at the Las Vegas Sports Center in Las Vegas. Fans across the country can enjoy the action from the final day of the Winter Cup Challenge via a free, live Web cast at usa-gymnastics.org on Feb. 10 from 7-10 p.m. Pacific Time.

Seventeen athletes from the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team also will participate in the event. Based on performances at the Winter Cup Challenge, seven gymnasts will be added to the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team.

“This field includes the United States’ top male gymnasts who will provide exciting and close competition,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “The Winter Cup Challenge promises to be a great preview for 2007 as the senior athletes have their sights set on making the U.S. team for the 2007 World Championships.”

U.S. Olympians Steve McCain (2000) and Mihai Bagiu (1996) will serve as commentators for the free Web cast, which will be available live through a link on USA Gymnastics Web site, usa-gymnastics.org. Saturday’s competition features an all-around format, with medalists determined in both the all-around and individual events.

In addition to his world bronze medal, Artemev won the all-around, pommel horse and parallel bars titles at the 2006 Visa Championships, which is USA Gymnastics’ national championships. In 2006, Durante placed sixth in the all-around at the Visa Championships, finished third at the Tyson American Cup and tied for third on the parallel bars at the Pacific Alliance Championships.

Four of the 13 U.S. Men’s Senior National Team members competing in the Winter Cup Challenge are 2006 U.S. champions. Other members of the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team slated to compete in Las Vegas are listed below.

* Guillermo Alvarez of Denver/Team Chevron finished third in the all-around at the 2006 Visa Championships and 2006 Winter Cup Challenge. He was a member of the U.S. Men’s Team at the 2006 World Championships.
* Raj Bhavsar of Houston/HGA/Team Chevron placed third in the parallel bars at the 2006 Visa Championships and was an alternate on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. He was a member of the U.S. Men’s Team that won the silver medal at the 2001 and 2003 World Championships.
* Sean Golden of Camden, N.J./HGA/GymMasters, placed second on the still rings at the 2006 Visa Championships and 2006 Winter Cup Challenge. He also was on the 2005 World Championships Team.
* Joseph Hagerty of Albuquerque, N.M./Team Chevron, finished second on the parallel bars and fourth in the all-around at the 2005 Visa Championships.
* Jonathan Horton of Houston/University of Oklahoma won the 2006 Tyson American Cup, as well as the 2006 U.S. floor exercise title. He also won the 2006 NCAA all-around, still rings and floor exercise crowns and was a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team.
* Tim McNeill of Falls Church, Va./UC Berkeley, placed second on the pommel horse at the 2006 Visa Championships and third in the same event at the 2006 Winter Cup Challenge.
* David Sender of Arlington Heights, Ill./Stanford University, was the 2006 U.S. and NCAA vault champion and a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team. He tied for second in the floor exercise at the 2006 Visa Championships and placed third in the vault at the 2006 Pacific Alliance Championships.
* Clay Strother of Jasper, Texas/Team Chevron, tied for second on the floor exercise and placed second in the vault at the 2006 Visa Championships. He also was a member of the 2006 U.S. World Championships Team.
* Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron, was the 2006 U.S. still rings champion and was captain of the U.S. Men’s Team at the 2006 World Championships. He was third in the still rings at last year’s World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany, and fourth in the same event at last year’s World Cup in Lyon, France.
* Yewki Tomita of Tucson, Ariz./Team Chevron, was the high bar champion at the 2006 Winter Cup Challenge and pommel horse champion at the 2005 Visa Championships. In 2006, he won the horizontal bar at the World Cup in Lyon, France. This will be his first competition since shoulder surgery last year.

* Sean Townsend of Dickinson, Texas/HGA/GymMasters, finished second in the parallel bars competition at the 2006 Visa Championships and fourth on the vault at the 2005 Visa Championships. He also placed third on the parallel bars at the 2006 Glasgow Grand Prix. Townsend, who was a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team, was the parallel bars world champion in 2001.

All five members of the U.S. Team that won the team gold medal at the 2006 Junior Pan Am Championships are competing: Tim Gentry of Plano, Texas/WOGA; Ryan Lieberman of Lake Forest, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics; Philip Onorato of Plano, Texas/WOGA; Miguel Pineda of Galloway, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics; and Mel Anton Santander of Southborough, Mass./University of Michigan.

In addition to U.S. junior all-around champions Danell Leyva of Miami/Universal Gymnastics and Timothy Pittman of Houston/Cypress Academy, the other members of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team are competing in this year’s Winter Cup Challenge. Members of the 14-15 year-old team are: Alexy Bilozertchev of Hilliard, Ohio/OSU Boys Team; Kyle Bunthuwong of El Cerrito, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics; Josh Dixon of San Jose, Calif./Champions Academy; Edward Mesa of Cooper City, Fla./Universal Gymnastics; and Neal Thompson of Woodside,Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics. Members of the 16-18 year-old team are: Chris Cameron of Winter Haven, Fla./Florida Flips; Thomas Kelley of Libertyville, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics; Paul Ruggeri III of Manlius, N.Y./CNY Gymnastics Center; Cole Storer of Plano, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics; and Andrew Stover of Fullerton, Calif./University of Illinois-Chicago.

The Winter Cup Challenge has two days of competition. Scores from both days of competition count toward the final rankings for the all-around and individual events. The qualification round on Feb. 8 consists of two sessions, each with approximately 42 athletes, beginning at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. The top 36 gymnasts, based on the points ranking system approved by the Men’s Program Committee, will advance to the finals, which begin at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 10.

Tickets go on sale on the afternoon of Feb. 7 at the Las Vegas Sports Center. One-day admission for the qualification sessions is $20 per adult and $12 per child, while the final round is $20 per person. An all-event pass with admission to all sessions may be purchased for $40 per adult and $30 per child. There is no reserved seating.

Seven gymnasts will be added to the U.S. Men’s Senior National Team following the Winter Cup Challenge. Three athletes will be added to the team based on the national team points system rank order, while the final four gymnasts will be selected from the Winter Cup Challenge participants and petitioned athletes by the Men’s Program Committee. These seven, along with the seven members of the 2006 World Championships Team who already qualified for the team, will comprise the Senior Men’s National Team until the 2007 Visa Championships in August.

About USA Gymnastics
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

#

2007 Winter Cup Challenge participants

By state, information shows name, hometown/club

Arizona
Yewki Tomita, Tucson, Ariz./Team Chevron

California
Tyler Block, Kensington, Calif./UC Berkeley
Kyle Bunthuwong, El Cerrito, Calif./Golden Bear Gymnastics
Matt Cohen, Agoura Hills, Calif./Penn State University
Josh Dixon, San Jose, Calif./Champions Academy
Glen Ishino, Santa Ana, Calif./SCATS Gymnastics
Willie Ito, Huntington Beach, Calif./Ohio State University
Brian Lee, Fremont, Calif./Army Gymnastics
Andrew Stover, Fullerton, Calif./University of Illinois-Chicago
Kevin Tan, Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron/Penn State University
Neal Thompson, Woodside, Calif./San Mateo Gymnastics

Colorado
Guillermo Alvarez, Denver/Team Chevron
Alexander Artemev, Morrison, Colo./Team Chevron
Geoffrey Corrigan, Colorado Springs, Colo./Team Chevron
Grant Osborne, Ft. Collins, Colo./Ohio State University

Florida
Jon Buese, Gainesville, Fla./University of Iowa
Chris Cameron, Winter Haven, Fla./Florida Flips
Derek Helsby, Orlando, Fla./Penn State University
Vladi Klurman, N. Miami Beach, Fla./Penn State University
Seung tai Lee, Sorrento, Fla./Ohio State University
Danell Leyva, Miami/Universal Gymnastics
Edward Mesa, Cooper City, Fla./Universal Gymnastics
Michael Reavis, Tallahassee, Fla./HGA/GymMasters

Georgia
Justin Laury, Marietta, Ga./University of Michigan

Illinois
Wesley Haagensen, Belleville, Ill./University of Illinois
Thomas Kelley, Libertyville, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics
Ryan Lieberman, Lake Forest, Ill./Buffalo Grove Gymnastics
Geoffrey Reins, Buffalo Grove, Ill./University of Iowa
David Sender, Arlington Heights, Ill./Stanford University

Kansas
Bryant Hadden, Wichita, Kan./Stanford University

Louisiana
Matt Hicks, Baton Rouge, La./HGA/GymMasters

Maryland
John Vogtman, Baltimore, Md./Temple University

Massachusetts
Dylan Carney, Dartmouth, Mass./Stanford University
R.J. Heflin, Storeham, Mass./Gymnastics & More
Chris Lung, Lexington, Mass./University of Illinois
Mel Anton Santander, Southborough, Mass./University of Michigan

Mississippi
Jimmy Wickham, Gulfport, Miss./Ohio State University

Nebraska
Timothy Schmidt, Blair, Neb./University of Nebraska
Stephen T�trault, Lincoln, Neb./University of Nebraska
Jason Wassung, Lincoln, Neb./University of Nebraska

North Carolina
Colin Christ, Charlotte, N.C./UC Berkeley
Nyika White, Williamston, N.C./Temple University

New Jersey
Joe Catrambone, Deptford, N.J./University of Michigan
David Durante, Garwood, N.J./Team Chevron
Andrew Elkind, Cherry Hill, N.J./University of Michigan
Sean Golden, Camden, N.J./HGA/GymMasters
Curtis Kleffman, Washington, N.J./University of Iowa
Sterling Kramer, Garwood, N.J./Temple University
Ralph Rosso, Morganville, N.J./University of Michigan

New Mexico
Jacques Bouchard, Rio Rancho, N.M./University of Iowa
Joseph Hagerty, Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron
Edward Umphrey, Albuquerque, N.M./University of Michigan

New York
Alex Gorski, Cicero, N.Y./Temple University
Paul Ruggeri III, Manlius, N.Y./CNY Gymnastics Center

Ohio
Alexy Bilozertchev, Hilliard, Ohio/OSU Boys Team
DJ Bucher, Mason, Ohio/Ohio State University
Ben Ketelsen, Lancaster, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics
Kristopher Kline, Westerville, Ohio/Ohio State University
Miguel Pineda, Galloway, Ohio/Hocking Valley Gymnastics
Nicholaus Searcy, Dublin, Ohio/Ohio State University
Blaine Wilson, Worthington, Ohio/Ohio State University

Pennsylvania
Taqiy Abdullah, Philadelphia/University of Oklahoma
Cody Carnahan, East Brady, Pa./Penn State University
Eddie Hay, Butler, Pa./Ohio State University
Randy Monahan, Elizabethtown, Pa./Ohio State University
Adam Pummer, Allentown, Pa./University of Illinois
Nick Virbitsky, Harrisburg, Pa./Penn State University

Tennessee
Jake Bateman, Kingsport, Tenn./Ohio State University

Texas
Andre Berry, Hempstead, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics
Raj Bhavsar, Houston/HGA/Team Chevron
Tim Gentry, Plano, Texas/WOGA
Jamie Henderson, Crosby, Texas/University of Oklahoma
Jonathan Horton, Houston/University of Oklahoma
Steven Legendre, Flower Mound, Texas/WOGA
Philip Onorato, Plano, Texas/WOGA
Tim Pittman, Houston/Cypress Academy
Cole Storer, Plano, Texas/Minnesota Gymnastics
Clay Strother, Jasper, Texas/Team Chevron
Todd Thornton, Houston/Team Chevron/USOTC
Sean Townsend, Dickinson, Texas/HGA/GymMasters
Tyler Yamauchi, Sugarland, Texas/University of Illinois

Utah
Jake Lee, Saratoga Springs, Utah/Minnesota Gymnastics

Virginia
Tim McNeill, Falls Church, Va./UC Berkeley
Viorel Popescu, Glen Allen, Va./RRMG

Washington
Kevin Perkins, Lake Forest Park, Wash./University of Washington

DGS 9.9's - Northeast Invite - Hartford CT

2007-04-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Liukin is featured in Newsweek’s “Who’s next?”

2007-04-04T15:43:00.000-07:00

NOTE: To see the Newsweek article, go to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16240605/site/newsweek/.

Liukin is featured in Newsweek’s “Who’s next?”

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 17, 2006 – 2006 U.S. all-around champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, is one of 20 identified as ones to watch in 2007 in Newsweek’s “Who’s Next?” feature in the Dec. 25-Jan. 1, 2007, issue that is available at newsstands Monday, Dec. 18. Liukin, who was the 2005 uneven bars and balance beam world champion, is the first gymnast to be included in the annual feature.

“I am really excited to be included as one of the top people to watch,” said Liukin, 17, who is coached by her father, Valeri, a two-time Olympic champion. “It is a great honor to be chosen and recognized as the only female athlete.”

“Nastia is one of the best gymnasts in the world and the recognition is well deserved,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “In competition, Nastia is known for her style and grace, as well as her competitive fire and team spirit. Out of the gym, Nastia is an outstanding high school student and typical teenager. She is an excellent ambassador for our sport, and we are thrilled that more people will get to know Nastia through Newsweek’s feature.”

The photo in the piece shows Liukin on the balance beam in front of a barbecue restaurant and was taken on a day when the temperature was in the 40s.

“I had so much fun at the photo shoot”, said Liukin “It was cold, but I consider this an honor that deserved my best. I hope my fans like the picture and story.”

"Nastia's talent and grace in competition are only surpassed by her poise and presence as an ambassador for Visa and USA Gymnastics," said Michael Lynch, senior vice president, Visa USA. "We are so proud to have her in the Visa family, and we look forward to watching her represent America in Beijing."

In 2006, Liukin won her second straight U.S. senior all-around title at the Visa Championships, where she also was first in both the uneven bars and balance beam. Despite an injured ankle, Liukin helped her team win the team silver medal at the 2006 World Championships, where she also claimed the uneven bars silver medal. Earlier in the year, she won the all-around title at the Tyson American Cup, one of the most prestigious invitationals in the world. At the Pacific Alliance Championships, she was a member of the gold-medal-winning team, as well as won the uneven bars title and tied for first in the all-around. At the 2005 World Championships, she won the gold medal for both the uneven bars and balance beam and the silver medal for the all-around and floor exercise. In the all-around, she finished just .001 behind teammate Chellsie Memmel, posting the closest margin of victory in the event’s history except for a tie.

She is a senior at Spring Creek Academy and trains at WOGA, where both of her parents are coaches. Her father won four medals at the 1988 Olympic Games, including two gold, and her mother, Anna, was a 1987 rhythmic gymnastics world champion.

“Who’s next?” has been a feature in Newsweek for six years and focuses on individuals and groups who are expected to be newsmakers in the coming year. Liukin is one of two athletes featured in the issue. The other is Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox.

Based in Indianapolis,

USA

Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the

United States

. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

14 countries set to compete in USA Gymnastics' Tyson American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla.

2007-04-04T15:42:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Jan. 16, 2007 - Fourteen countries will send gymnasts to compete at the 2007 Tyson American Cup, one of the world's most prestigious gymnastics competitions, on March 3 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The participating countries accounted for 31 medals at the recent World Championships.

In addition to China and the United States, the Tyson American Cup field includes world-class gymnasts from Australia, Belarus, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Switzerland and Ukraine.

The USA has already named two athletes to its team: Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., who won three silver medals (all-around, floor exercise and team competition) at the 2006 World Championships, the most by a U.S. athlete; and Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo., the reigning U.S. all-around champion and the world pommel horse bronze medalist, the USA's first medal in that event since 1979. The international athletes competing in the event and the balance of the U.S. Team will be named at a later date.

On sale now, tickets are $50, $35 and $19.50 and are subject to applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster and its outlets; by phone at (904) 353-3309; online at www.ticketmaster.com; at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office; or through participating gymnastics clubs in the Jacksonville area.

Some of the sport's biggest names are former American Cup all-around gold medalists, including: men -- Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women -- Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania). At last year's event, Americans Jonathan Horton of Houston and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, each earned the title of 2006 American Cup champion.

The city of Jacksonville is no stranger to the sport of gymnastics. The old Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena hosted the 1985 U.S. Championships and the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials.

The American Cup was first held in 1976. Past sites include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); and Philadelphia (2006).

In addition to its sponsorship of the Tyson American Cup, Tyson is powering gymnasts by providing high-quality chicken, beef and pork to the USA Gymnastics National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. Tyson's protein-filled products help these talented athletes to develop and maintain the strength and endurance they need to perform at elite events, such as the Tyson American Cup and the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.

About JEDC Sports & Entertainment

The JEDC Sports & Entertainment office enhances the region's economy by attracting special events and sports organizations to the First Coast. The sports office helps develop and coordinate sporting and entertainment events and actively promotes the facilities owned by the City of Jacksonville and serves as an in-house event production, marketing and advertising agency for regional sporting events, bringing millions of dollars to the region each year. For more information, please visit www.jaxdevelopment.org.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Ark., is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries.

The company has approximately 110,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

USA wins four medals at British Open Tournament

2007-04-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Dec. 13, 2006 – The U.S. acrobatic gymnastics delegation to the 2006 British Open Tournament in Stoke-on-Trent, Great Britain, won one gold, two silver and one bronze medal in the international competition that featured teams from clubs and federations from the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Wales, London, Scotland, West Midlands, United States and Yorkshire.

The men’s pair of Julian Amaro of Pleasanton, Calif., and Tyler Spray of Livermore, Calif., won the gold medal with their score of 28.140 for their combined routine, which was the routine that determined the final results in the junior and senior competition. They train at West Coast Acrobatics.

\n\n

The USA’s silver medals went to\nthe senior mixed pair of Brian Kincher of Ft.\n Collins, Colo.,\nand Kristin Allen of Livermore,\nwho also train at West Coast Acrobatics; and the junior women’s pair of Mallory\nHenthorn and Savannah Shields, both of Kearney, Mo./Acro\nExplosion. Kincher and Allen’s score of 25.140, put them behind Horsham’s\nmixed pair of Matt Bennett and Isis Clegg-Vinell, who won the gold medal with\n26.170. Henthorn\nand Shields competed against a strong field, finishing second with 26.900\nbehind Debra Owen and Kelly Mannion of Harefield, who won the gold medal with\n27.650.

\n\n

The 11-16 women’s group of Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid and Mariah Spray, all of whom\nare from Livermore\nand train at West Coast Acrobatics, won a bronze medal in the\n11-16 division for their dynamic routine with a score of 28.150.

\n\n

The balance of the U.S.\ndelegation included\nthese 11-16 age-group pairs/groups: \nMegan Clemons and Maranda\nKing, both of ",1] ); //-->They train at West Coast Acrobatics.

The USA’s silver medals went to the senior mixed pair of Brian Kincher of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Kristin Allen of Livermore, who also train at West Coast Acrobatics; and the junior women’s pair of Mallory Henthorn and Savannah Shields, both of Kearney, Mo./Acro Explosion. Kincher and Allen’s score of 25.140, put them behind Horsham’s mixed pair of Matt Bennett and Isis Clegg-Vinell, who won the gold medal with 26.170. Henthorn and Shields competed against a strong field, finishing second with 26.900 behind Debra Owen and Kelly Mannion of Harefield, who won the gold medal with 27.650.

The 11-16 women’s group of Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid and Mariah Spray, all of whom are from Livermore and train at West Coast Acrobatics, won a bronze medal in the 11-16 division for their dynamic routine with a score of 28.150.

The balance of the U.S. delegation included these 11-16 age-group pairs/groups: Megan Clemons and Maranda King, both of Blue Springs, Mo./Mid-America Acro Tumbling & Trampoline, women’s pair; Hannah Vires of Brookesville, Md., and Maren Rey of Rockville, Md./ Xtreme Acro, women’s pair; Madison Lamey, Brooke Sassin and Audrey Palmer, all of San Antonio, Texas/Brown’s, women’s group; Courntey Harms, Emily Lingo and Mackenzie Porter, all of Kearney, Mo./Rising Star Acrobatics Club, women’s group; and Chelcea Reigel, Ashley Hargis and Kristin Weidmaier, all of Kearney/Rising Star Acrobatics Club, women’s group.

Eight of the nine U.S. pair/groups qualified to finals.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more complete information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

2006 British Open Tournament Results

Senior men's pair

1. Julian Amaro, Tyler Spray, USA, 28.140

Senior mixed pair

1. Matt Bennett, Isis Clegg-Vinell, Horsham, 26.170

2. Brian Kincher, Kristin Allen, USA, 25.140

Senior women’s group

1. Hayley Buckman, Hannah Pompa, Charlotte Frankline, Southampton, 25.310

2. Elke Knaepkens, Kim Delose, Caro Annaert, APG-Art Gym, 24.300

3. Kirsty Warren, Abigail Marsh, Molly Bailey, Southhampton, 23.750

Junior women's pair

1. Deborah Owen, Kelly Mannion, Harefield, 27.750

2. Mallory Henthorn, Savannah Shields, USA, 26.900

3. Anita Jones, Cet Williams, Moelwyn, 25.900

Junior women’s group

1. Katherine Smith, Ciara McGrath, Jessica Dangerfield, Harefield, 28.700

2. Natasha Johnston, Emma Storey, Amber Webster, Wakefield, 28.450

3. Josie Rees, Amy Bowditch, Sophie Whitehurst, Bromley Valley, 27.450

Women's group (11-16)

1. Joanne White, Amber Ballantyne-Styles Rosie Burr, Oxford, 28.900

2. Catherine Aitchison, Rosie Green, Ellie Newitt, Oxford, 28.450

3. Hannah Busha, Steffani Scheid, Mariah Spray, USA, 28.150

U.S. finish

4. Mackenzie Porter, Emily Lingo, Courtney Harms, USA, 28.000

6. Audrey Palmer, Brooke Sassin, Madison Lamey, USA, 27.550

Mixed pair (11-16)

1. Christopher Rogers, Abby McArdle, Monarchs, 27.050

2. Jamie Pugh, Nicole Sander, West Street, 26.950

3. Christopher Collins, Lauren Jarrett, Monarchs, 26.100

Men's pair (11-16)

1. Matthew Short, Sean McKenna, Monarchs, 26.250

2. Tim Shaw, Harry Ruddlesden, Rotherham, 25.950

Women's pair (11-16)

1. Beth Ledger, Beth Sykes, Wakefield, 28.150

2. Louise Lee, Hannah Johnstone, South Tyneside, 27.800

3. Alison Hayes, Louise Kelly, Ballincollig, 27.650

U.S. finishes

4. Megan Clemons, Maranda King, USA, 27.600

5. Maren (Focke) Rey, Hannah Vires, USA, 27.250

Grade 4 Women’s Pair

1. Poppy Spalding, Rachael Prest, Harefield, 48.490

Grade 4 Men’s Pair

1. Lee Baker, Keiran Baker, Horsham, 49.300

Grade 4 Mixed Pair

1. Chris Carnfield, Ellie Stewart-Croker, Horsham, 49.600

2. Carl Denham, Fiona Cowley, Falcon, 39.500

Grade 4 Women’s Group

1. Tsveti Genov, Tashi Goldring, Josie Russell, Richmond, 51.800

2. Jessica Vurlton, Carly Robinson, Emma Strachen, South Staffs, 51.150

3. Ellya Thomas, Erin Jameson, Laura Noone, Harefield, 50.950

Grade 4 Men’s Group

\nNo virus found in this outgoing message.",1] ); //-->1. Matthew Gregory, Matthew Porter, James Auger, Elijah King, Southampton, 43.000

Out of Age Women’s Group

1. Hannah Feeney, Grace Blacklock, Claire Thompson, Harefield, 52.240

2. Sue Baylet, Christie Vincent, Ashleight Lavender, Saltney, 49.687

3. Naomi Baskwill, Rachael Brown, Georgia Green, Monarchs, 49.683

Out of Age Mixed Pair:

1. Leon Fagbemi, India Bigg, Bromley Valley, 47.883

2. Nathan Lewerthy, Mia Surplice, Southhampton, 41.733

Out of Age Women's Pair

1. Zoe Hitchen, Ellie Pearce, Checkers, 40.817

2006 world medalists Bieger, Artemev compete in '07 Tyson American Cup

2007-04-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 6, 2006 - 2006 all-around world silver-medalist Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla., and 2006 pommel horse bronze-medalist Alexander Artemev of Morrison, Colo., have accepted invitations to represent the United States in the 2007 Tyson American Cup, one of the world's most prestigious gymnastics events, on March 3 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

"Jana and Alex are the USA's top medal winners from the recent 2006 World Championships and two important members of the current group of athletes preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "These two will lead the USA's team of talented men and women against the world's top gymnasts at the 2007 Tyson American Cup."

Bieger had a very successful October. At the 2006 World Championships, she won more medals than any other U.S. gymnast. In addition to her all-around medal, Bieger also took the silver in the floor exercise and team. One week later, she won the gold medal in both the uneven bars and floor exercise at the 2006 DTB-Pokal World Cup in Stuttgart, Germany. She is coached by her mother, Andrea, who was a three-time Olympian for West Germany. Her gym is Bieger International Gymnastics. Bieger, who is home-schooled, is a senior in high school.

Artemev, who is a member of Team Chevron, won the USA's first pommel horse world medal since Kurt Thomas in 1979. His bronze-medal performance was the best finish for the U.S. men at the 2006 World Championships. At the 2006 Visa Championships, Artemev won the all-around title, as well as the pommel horse and parallel bars titles. At the 2005 American Cup, he won the pommel horse title and was second in the floor exercise. Artemev, who trains at 5280 Gymnastics, is coached by his father, Vladimir, who is a former member of the Soviet national gymnastics team.

The 2007 Tyson American Cup, which features an all-around competition, begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are on sale now for $50, $35 and $19.50 and subject to applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster and its outlets; by phone at (904) 353-3309; online at www.ticketmaster.com; at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena box office; or through participating gymnastics clubs in the Jacksonville area. The competition on March 3 will be televised live on NBC Sports at 1 p.m. ET.

The old Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena was the site for the 1985 U.S. Championships and the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials.

The international gymnasts, representing the top gymnastics countries in the world, will be announced in January. The rest of the U.S. squad will also be determined closer to the event.

The list of former American Cup all-around gold medalists includes many of the best-known and loved names in gymnastics: men -- Jason Gatson, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Vitaly Scherbo (Belarus), Tim Daggett, Peter Vidmar, Mitsuo Tsukahara (Japan), Kurt Thomas and Bart Conner; and women -- Carly Patterson, Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia), Kerri Strug, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kim Zmeskal, Kristie Phillips, Mary Lou Retton, Julianne McNamara, Stella Zakarova (USSR) and Nadia Comaneci (Romania). In 2005, the American Cup was a World Cup event and its format named individual event champions; the USA's Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel, Nastia Liukin and Artemev won gold medals.

The American Cup was first held in 1976. Past sites include: New York City (1976-80, 1982-84, 2004); Ft. Worth Texas (1981, 1996-98); Indianapolis, Ind. (1985); Fairfax, Va. (1986-90, 2003); Orlando, Fla. (1991-94, 2000-02); Seattle, Wash. (1995); St. Petersburg, Fla. (1999); Uniondale, N.Y. (2005); and Philadelphia (2006).

In addition to its sponsorship of the Tyson American Cup, Tyson is powering gymnasts by providing high-quality chicken, beef and pork to the USA Gymnastics National Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. Tyson's protein-filled products help these talented athletes to develop and maintain the strength and endurance they need to perform at elite events, such as the Tyson American Cup and the 2008 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing.

About JEDC Sports & Entertainment

The JEDC Sports & Entertainment office enhances the region's economy by attracting special events and sports organizations to the First Coast. The sports office helps develop and coordinate sporting and entertainment events and actively promotes the facilities owned by the City of Jacksonville, and serves as an in-house event production, marketing and advertising agency for regional sporting events, bringing millions of dollars to the region each year. For more information, please visit www.jaxdevelopment.org.

About Tyson Foods

Tyson Foods, Inc. [NYSE: TSN], founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef, and pork, the second-largest food company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products, which are marketed under the "Powered by Tyson(tm)" strategy. Tyson is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, providing products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 80 countries.

The company has approximately 110,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

About USA Gymnastics

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.