Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, widely known as Parkettes, is a gymnastics club located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It has produced several teams and individual gymnasts representing the United States, the Czech Republic, and Canada in international meets, including the Olympic Games.[1]
History[edit]
20th century[edit]
Parkettes was founded by Bill Strauss and his wife, Donna Strauss.[2] It started as a backyard after-school workout program at the Strauss home.[2] It was later in a barn, school, and church basement as they got the program established.[2] Former Mack Trucks CEO, Alfred Pelletier, helped the program move to a permanent home.[2][3]
The first Olympian produced by the club was Jody Yocum, who was named as an alternate for the 1976 Summer Olympics.[2]
- In 1986, three Parkettes' gymnasts placed at the USA Gymnastics National Championships. Jennifer Sey won the competition, Hope Spivey came in second, and Alyssa Solomon came in fourth.
- In 1988, Parkettes-trained gymnast Hope Spivey represented the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
- In 1992, Parkettes' gymnast Kim Kelly was selected for the 1992 Summer Olympics gymnastics training squad.
- In 1998 and 1999, Kristen Maloney won the United States National Senior All-Around gold medal. In 2000, she competed at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where she won the bronze medal.
- In 1999, 2000, and again in 2001, Kristal Uzelac won the United States Junior National All-Around gold.
21st century[edit]
- In 2002, Vanessa Meloche, a Canadian gymnast at Parkettes, finished third at the Canadian championships and first on the uneven bars.
- Parkettes 50th anniversary was Summer 2018.[2]
- In 2022, 11 Parkettes' gymnasts made misconduct complaints to the U.S. Center for SafeSport that resulted in an ongoing investigation of five Parkettes coaches.[4][5][6]
Media coverage[edit]
In 2003, CNN aired a documentary, Achieving the Perfect 10, which contained some criticisms of the demanding and competitive nature of Parkettes's training program.[7] In 2008, Jennifer Sey, the 1986 National Champion from Parkettes, published a book, Chalked Up, which was critical of Parkettes and elite gymnastics.[8]
Notable gymnasts & alumni[edit]
Notable coaches[edit]
- Brian Babcock, 1985 USA Gymnastics National Championships winner
- Donna Strauss, Parkettes co-founder
- Natalia Yurchenko, Soviet gymnast and 1983 World championships gold medal winner
References[edit]
- ^ "Parkettes Gymnastics Training Center in the Lehigh Valley, PA". www.parkettes.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Reinhard, Paul (June 22, 2018). "From west Allentown backyard to producing Olympians, the Parkettes celebrate 50th anniversary". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "PARKETTES HONOR EX-MACK BOARD HEAD FYI". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. November 24, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ Peter Hall. "Gym owners, 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations at elite Pa. gymnastics training center". Times News Online.
- ^ Koltnow, Bo (21 February 2022). "Allentown's Parkettes defending itself against allegations of abuse". WFMZ.com.
- ^ Hall, Peter (20 February 2022). "Parkettes owners and 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations. Former athletes claim weight-shaming and sexual harassment at elite gymnastics club". Mcall.
- ^ "Transcripts CNN Presents Achieving The Perfect 10". transcripts.cnn.com. August 10, 2003. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "Book Review: "Chalked Up" by Jennifer Sey". thegymnasticsguide.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
