NCAA College Gymnastics Looks Perfect—Until You’re Inside It

[RedBirdie]

Not the sort of thing we typically see on CGN.

The public sees packed arenas, perfect tens, glitter-covered leotards, and teams chanting unity slogans, but some athletes and former coaches tell a different story. For them, it’s a story of people being celebrated publicly while feeling silenced privately. These stories reveal the painful truth behind college athletics; because in the NCAA, it’s not all glory.

Parker: College Gymnastics Looks Perfect—Until You’re Inside It - College Gym News

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[cuuf]

Eh, a little sensationalized writing. I think only the most naive truly believe that gymnastics or any sport played at a high level is all unicorns and rainbows. No doubt, like any sport, when there is a power dynamic of coach/athlete, and the stakes are high, with job security, there are going to be situations that some individuals will cross lines. But to put such a blanket statement "the painful truth behind college athletics....." implies that everyone has this horrible experience, or it is at least the norm, which is just not true. ,

 

[KristyJ]

Certainly the examples they list are awful and likely show that others will have had a similar experience, but I do also agree that the generalizations feel like they are sweeping. I wish they'd offered more analysis on what drives the bad cases and potential alternatives to the norm.

 

[cuuf]

I have heard plenty about Howard that creates more questions about allegations. She is not unsullied in this story.

 

[Amber]

Do tell….

 

[ugadawgkat]

There are egregious things that happen / have happened in gymnastics that should definitely be reported. What actions in this article includes any of these? Most of the complaints in this piece sound like typical team dynamics and discipline. Some of this stuff even sounds like sour grapes by a gymnast who transferred and a coach who was probably fired and who "should have reported" but "can't recall..."

The whole section about Howard being "forced to medically retire" sounds way overboard. Her statement, "If it weren’t for those girls choosing not to take their fifth year, my career would have been over,” is proven false as her career certainly wouldn't have ended because it obviously didn't when she transferred to another school.

Howard is stated in the article to believe that, "the coach-athlete relationship is supposed to function on trust and communication, even with gymnasts who are HARDER TO COACH". Sounds like she is referring to herself here. Hmmm... I wonder what actions make an athlete "harder to coach"?

It's interesting that this article was written by a former Georgia gymnast who transferred and it's mainly about a former Georgia coach who probably got fired and two former Georgia gymnasts who chose to transfer.

 

[Amber]

Thank you for the explanation

 

[irichluck21]

Two things can be true.
A gymnast can experienced a negative experience and be treated differently.
A gymnast can also have positive experiences.

Case in point, Amy Smith. Various gymnasts spoke out against her, but yet a whole group of them followed her from Utah State to Clemson, clearly respecting her as a coach.

 

[cuuf]

There are egregious things that happen / have happened in gymnastics that should definitely be reported. What actions in this article includes any of these? Most of the complaints in this piece sound like typical team dynamics and discipline. Some of this stuff even sounds like sour grapes by a gymnast who transferred and a coach who was probably fired and who "should have reported" but "can't recall..."

The whole section about Howard being "forced to medically retire" sounds way overboard. Her statement, "If it weren’t for those girls choosing not to take their fifth year, my career would have been over,” is proven false as her career certainly wouldn't have ended because it obviously didn't when she transferred to another school.

Howard is stated in the article to believe that, "the coach-athlete relationship is supposed to function on trust and communication, even with gymnasts who are HARDER TO COACH". Sounds like she is referring to herself here. Hmmm... I wonder what actions make an athlete "harder to coach"?

It's interesting that this article was written by a former Georgia gymnast who transferred and it's mainly about a former Georgia coach who probably got fired and two former Georgia gymnasts who chose to transfer.

Lol, do you know what I know?

For sure, she may have felt she was given an unfair shake. My issue with stuff like this is that it takes away from other gymnasts in other situations who are genuinely being abused to their detriment and danger. What happened with Howard is not abuse in this context. She didnt like the situation, she wanted more than what was already given to her, and she lashed out. Unlike gymnasts several years ago, she had an avenue she could pursue, which she did, and find a situation that better suited her. In her situation, I would think discretion is the better part of valor. I know of another higher-profile gymnast who transferred her senior year and is taking this high road.

 

[BB12]

Lol, do you know what I know?

For sure, she may have felt she was given an unfair shake. My issue with stuff like this is that it takes away from other gymnasts in other situations who are genuinely being abused to their detriment and danger. What happened with Howard is not abuse in this context. She didnt like the situation, she wanted more than what was already given to her, and she lashed out. Unlike gymnasts several years ago, she had an avenue she could pursue, which she did, and find a situation that better suited her. In her situation, I would think discretion is the better part of valor. I know of another higher-profile gymnast who transferred her senior year and is taking this high road.

I dont think it takes away from others abuse at all. Everything happens on a scale. These examples of hostile environments are still harmful for the person experiencing them and it's good to acknowledge that. We shouldn't just dismiss it because it's lesser than what others have expereince.

 

[cuuf]

I dont think it takes away from others abuse at all. Everything happens on a scale. These examples of hostile environments are still harmful for the person experiencing them and it's good to acknowledge that. We shouldn't just dismiss it because it's lesser than what others have expereince.

This is part of the problem with these things. What determines a hostile environment? Because one person says it was a hostile environment? What happens when that person presents one version of events, while they genuinely believe are true, but are completely different from all the others?

 

[BB12]

This is part of the problem with these things. What determines a hostile environment? Because one person says it was a hostile environment? What happens when that person presents one version of events, while they genuinely believe are true, but are completely different from all the others?

There has to be people willing to believe the people who are aggrieved. If we don't at least listen with an open mind to what people with bad experiences have to say, we will never improve the environments that need improved and abuse will be able to continue to happen.

And no expereince is universal. Two people can have very different experiences with the same coach and they can both be true. One gymnast having a great expereince with a coach doesn't mean someone else didn't receive poor treatment or was held to different standards.

 

[cuuf]

There has to be people willing to believe the people who are aggrieved. If we don't at least listen with an open mind to what people with bad experiences have to say, we will never improve the environments that need improved and abuse will be able to continue to happen.

And no expereince is universal. Two people can have very different experiences with the same coach and they can both be true. One gymnast having a great expereince with a coach doesn't mean someone else didn't receive poor treatment or was held to different standards.

I totally understand what you are saying, and agree with it. However in this case, I know what happened and this is someone using the claim of abuse to overlook their actions. There was no love lost between the coaching staff and the athletes, but not abuse

 

[BB12]

I totally understand what you are saying, and agree with it. However in this case, I know what happened and this is someone using the claim of abuse to overlook their actions. There was no love lost between the coaching staff and the athletes, but not abuse

You think you know what happened. Unless you were in the room for very interaction, every training session, every private meeting, viewed every digital piece of communication between the parties, had direct insight directly from both parities about their thoughts and motivations, you couldn't possibly know the full story.