With sadness, USA Gymnastics shares the passing of long-time community member Larry Denham. Larry, with his wife Lee Ann, owned and operated the Tennessee Academy of Gymnastics (TAG), which opened in 1988. He was active within Region 8, where he previously served as education director, and he was instrumental in writing the Region 8 Elite Team and Tennessee State Elite Team programs, which have been utilized as templates across the country. Over the course of his career, Larry coached athletes to multiple state, regional, and national men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics championships, and saw a number of former athletes compete at the collegiate level. He also enjoyed coaching at developmental camps around the U.S. Larry is a member of both the Tennessee and Region 8 Halls of Fame.
In addition to his contributions in the gym, Larry was an accomplished author. In 2010, he published the novel Pioneers about a high school gymnastics team, and in 2019, he released the sequel. He is survived by Lee Ann and their three daughters, Renee, Kelsi, and Miranda. The Larry Denham Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will provide support for gymnastics coaches and athletes, has been established in his honor.