INDIANAPOLIS (August 11, 2022) – USA Gymnastics on Thursday announced the launch of a new initiative to retain and expand participation in the sport of men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG). Created by a wide-ranging group of stakeholders in the discipline, the MAG Pathways project is a new section of the USAG website charting a lifelong gymnastics journey within MAG.

The project’s mission is to share the universe of options for participating in men’s gymnastics. While athletes typically focus on grassroots, collegiate and elite competition, potential pathways include a wide range of levels and pathways, including recreational, high school, NAIGC, GymAct, USAG Club or National Track, NCAA, Junior Elite and Elite.

"An athlete’s journey in the sport doesn’t need to end when they have peaked athletically," said Nate Sharpe, NAIGC MAG rules lead. "There is such a wide variety of levels, from recreational through elite, that anyone can participate in MAG."

"Your passion for gymnastics shouldn’t be limited by a fixed mindset of what the journey should look like," said Julie Rolla, the team lead for the project and outgoing NAIGC president. "The Pathways Project is really a one-page, one-stop shop for opening peoples’ eyes to the many ways of participating in men’s gymnastics. The more athletes that we can keep in the sport, the stronger it will be."

This new resource is live now here. To provide feedback or to be part of the MAG Pathways initiative, email [email protected]. Stakeholders with major contributions to the MAG Pathways project include:

  • Julie Rolla (Team Lead) – NAIGC President 2020-2022, NAIGC Board Member
  • Tim Michaels – NAIGC Board Member
  • Nate Sharpe – NAIGC MAG rules lead
  • Julia Sharpe – NAIGC MAG rules lead
  • Daniel Ribiero – University of Illinois Men’s Gymnastics Interim Head Coach (NCAA)
  • Bob Lundy – USA Gymnastics MD State Chairman, Program Council Member & Junior Selection Committee Member
  • Stephen Douglass – Scramble Systems, Consultant for USA Gymnastics