INDIANAPOLIS, May 2, 2014 – USA Gymnastics recently hosted a luncheon at the National Federation of State High School Associations Summit to discuss boys high school gymnastics. USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny spoke to the group of 70-plus, which included the NFHS Executive Committee and state federation representatives, about the USA Gymnastics-NFHS partnership to expand boys high school gymnastics opportunities across the country. To complement the existing state high school gymnastics programs, USA Gymnastics has activated its national network to create a state championships framework that works in concert with local high schools, school districts and state associations.

USA Gymnastics is finalizing a manual that provides a step-by-step process for recognizing high school athletes in states that do not currently have a boys high school gymnastics program, as well as support the states that have existing boys high school gymnastics programs. This outreach initiative is geared toward developing a partnership with all high school programs.

Aca A Gymnastics is an excellent activity for young men,Aca A said Penny, Aca A and our goal is to provide recognition for these athletes in their schools where there are no existing high school programs, and to support the existing high school programs as needed. We appreciate the interest, support and enthusiasm of the high school sports community for our efforts.Aca A

Currently, eight states sanction the sport of boys gymnastics. USA Gymnastics is providing rules and regulations through NFHS for these state programs to use.

For states not involved with boys gymnastics, USA Gymnastics has developed a championship format that can be implemented on a state-by-state basis. Each USA Gymnastics state administration will work with its clubs to establish relationships with their local high schools and school districts that recognize boys gymnastics. The USA Gymnastics State High School Championships will be part of each annual USA Gymnastics State Championships. USA Gymnastics will also promote and recognize boys high school gymnastics on its website, usagym.org.

The format is relatively simple, but provides the competitive framework and recognition process that will elevate awareness of boys high school gymnastics.

Dennis McIntyre, the vice president of men’s gymnastics for USA Gymnastics, and Ron Jacobson, USA Gymnastics director of program development, also attended the luncheon.

For more information on the USA Gymnastics boys high school program, please contact Jacobson at 317-829-5643; rjacobson@usagym.org.

Background information

  • National Federation of State High School Associations. The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Ind., is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 16 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including more than 7.7 million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.