SMG Foundation was developed by a group of motivated and concerned parents who saw a need to raise awareness for the sport of Men’s Gymnastics. Men’s Gymnastics first appeared at the Athens Olympics in 1896. The modern sport has six events: rings, parallel bars, horizontal bar, pommel horse, vaulting horse and floor. Gymnastic competitions are judged and scored on both an individual and team basis. Each competitor must accomplish a required number of specific types of moves on each piece of equipment. In 1969 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics had more than 210 programs, today there are only 12 teams that remain as a Division 1 NCAA sponsored sport. In 1972, Title IX was introduced as a way to ensure gender equality. The devastation to the sport now goes beyond Title IX and the desire for ‘equality’. Covid-19, in fact brought to light how much emphasis is being paid to football. It is a myth that football pays for everything. Outside the Power 5 schools football doesn’t turn a profit, so not having football games this year is not a valid reason to cut Men’s Gymnastics. In turn, a short sighted knee jerk myopic decision decimated the sport of men’s gymnastics. Men’s Gymnastics is distinctive in nature. It’s most unique for how it instills focus and self-discipline – skills that can assist with learning and concentration. In addition, Men’s Gymnastics builds strength, enhances coordination and agility, develops posture and challenges the mind and body to reach new goals. While Men’s Gymnastics has been erroneously pigeonholed as strictly an Individual sport, those who participate understand its important Team sport component. Camaraderie in Men’s Gymnastics is just as important, if not more important than any other sport. What’s more, the sport of Men’s Gymnastics can be a vital foundation for any sport and with proper instruction can develop healthy minds and bodies for life. Male gymnasts have unparalleled strength. To excel across six distinctive events requires strength, stamina, perseverance, flexibility, balance, concentration and coordination. It’s bar none unlike any other sport for how it nurtures an athlete.The Foundation’s goals are as follows:· To rouse enthusiasm and encourage enrollment at gymnastics clubs across the country.· To increase passion and eagerness for boys to choose Men’s Gymnastics as their #1 sport.· To aid in fundraising for NCAA Colleges in jeopardy of shutting down their programs due to rising costs.· To help reinstall NCAA Division 1 teams that have been forced to cut their programs.· To lobby for more exposure of the sport in elementary and high schools through physical education programs and PTA sponsored programs.· To help support virtual meets during uncertain times due to the pandemic.· To support accomplished athletes and determined coaches in offering clubs, clinics and camps to boys and young men.· To voice In order to achieve its goals, SMG Foundation intends to raise money with the following methods. · Design and sell men’s gymnastics apparel· Host virtual meets· Promote virtual challenges through social media· Effort sponsorship and advertising· Solicit aid from famed athletes· Set up GoFundMe opportunities With your help, SMG Foundation can reignite a sport that has provided foundation and success to so many athletes and provide brand new opportunities for young men looking to enhance their lives and athleticism through strength, discipline and determination. Men’s Gymnastics will have a future with the right awareness, funding and optimism.
