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Chain of Command within the Gymnastic Community
Like any business, the Gymnastic community has a chain of command. This chain starts with the gymnast and parents at the bottom and ends with the Men's Program Director at the top. It is very important that coaches capture their spot in this chain and become a liaison from parents to the directors and judging community. All too often, coaches bow out of the picture to allow parents to take their concerns and problems directly to the top. As coaches, we must accept our professionalism and become a mouth piece for the parents and gymnasts in their time of need. At no time should parents be allowed to approach the judging community! In our community, the chain goes as follows: Gymnast/Parents--->>Personal Coach-->>Meet Director/Judges or State Director-->>Regional Director-->> Men's Assistant National Program Director-->>Men's National Program Director. Please help make our sport more professional!
| State | Name | Representing Program | Address | Phone Numbers | |
| Region III Chairman | GIL ELSASS | Crenshaw Athletic Club |
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gilgym@aol.com |
| Arkansas | CHRIS RIPPY | 2431 West Orlando Drive #10, Fayetteville, AR 72701 | Work 479-419-3545 cell 501-733-3469 | arkmengymnastics@yahoo.com | |
| Kansas | STEVE GLICKLEY | EMERALD CITY GYMNASTICS | 9063 Bond Overland Park, KS 66214 | 913-438-4444 | sjglick@hotmail.com |
| Louisiana | HASHIM DAWAN | TECHNIQUE GYMNASTICS | 1433 Rue Crozat Baton Rouge, La 70810 | hashimdawan@gmail.com | |
| Missouri | WALLY MEIERAREND | GREAT AMERICAN GYMNASTICS EXPRESS | 4405 Cumberland Road Bates City, Mo 64011 | gym 816-229-7775 | wally@gagecenter.com |
| Oklahoma | SARAH JOHNSON | VICTORY GYMNASTICS |
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gym 405-632-0800 | sarah@victorygymnastics.com |
| Texas | KEVIN MUENZ | FLIPPERS GYMNASTICS | 4010 Silk Tree Drive Garland, Tx 75043 | 972-203-0716 hm 972-276-9000 gym 214-457-6429 cell | kmuenz123@comcast.net or kgmuenz@garlandisd.net |
USA Gymnastics National Office 201 So. Capital, Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46225 1-317-237-5050 Ron Galimore, Chairman 1-317-237-5050 & Jeff Robinson, Men's Program Manager 1-317-237-5050 (jrobinson@usa-gymnastics.org) Membership Services - 1-800-345-4719
**2007-08 Age Groups & Qualifying Scores - Regional Championships
The qualifying score must be obtained at the State Championships. Gymnasts must qualify in the same level and age group that they will compete at the Regional Championships. In 2008 there are big changes to the qualifying scores for the Level 8-10's.
Level 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 USA Gymnastics Regionals
| Age Groups | Levels | Type of Competition | Qualifying Score (2007) |
| 8,9 & 10-11 & 12-13 | Level 6 | Compulsory | 45 A/A at State ** |
| 10-11 & 12,13 | Level 7 | Modified Optionals | 45 A/A at State ** |
| 12-14 & 15-18 | Level 8 | Special Requirements | 48 A/A at State ** |
| 12,13 | Level 9 | Modified Optionals | 54 A/A at State ** |
| 14-15 | Level 10 Jr | Optionals | 60 A/A at State ** |
| 16-18 | Level 10 Sr | Optionals | 60 A/A at State ** |
| 16-Over | Elite | Optionals | None |
Top Three Automatically Qualify to the Regional Championships - Region III has always allowed the top three qualifiers in an age group/level to move on Regionals regardless of their State score.
Region III Chairman
Duties for the Regional Director are outlined in the USAG Rules and Guidelines Booklet. Below is a list of items that are specific to Region III.
The items listed within this booklet are to serve as guidelines for Region III only. Changes may be made with the approval of the Regional Director.
Annual Region III Board Meeting
(State Chairmen & Regional Director)
The Annual Region III Board will meet at least once a year. A second meeting could be held at the Fall Region Testing or Clinic. Should a State Director need financial assistance for the Fall meeting, he may request this of the Regional account. The meetings are called by the Regional Director. He will determine an agenda. The agenda is approved, with any changes, at the end of the meeting. The Regional Director’s vote should be used to break ties. The board meeting is not closed to the public, however, people who attend will have no voice/no vote. If a State Chairman cannot attend, he should appoint a proxy. There should be a General Regional Meeting the Saturday night after competition. During the day before the general meeting, the agenda should be available for open discussion. If additional meetings are needed throughout the year, the Regional Director may initiate a conference call.
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Miscellaneous Competition InformationClarification of Competition Age Group Rules
A gymnast must compete as of his age on September 1. He may jump up one year (from his birthdate as of September 1) ONLY if he is going to CHANGE LEVELS. An age jump may not occur to move age groups within the same level. (This was clarified in 2004 by the JOPC) This age group rule also includes the Future Stars Evaluation Program.
Moving Levels within the season:
A gymnast is not restricted to a level within the season UNTIL he reaches the first level of qualifying. Once a gymnast reaches State, he must remain at the age group and level if he competes at Regionals. Gymnasts are asked not to move forward and back during the season.
Coaches Attire: (Competition and Evaluation/Testing )
The following dress code is required at State, Regionals and Nationals, and HIGHLY recommended for all local sanctioned invitationals:
- Closed toe shoes (no sandals)
- Slacks, warm-up bottoms or hemmed shorts (no denim)
- Collared Shirts
- No Hats
Violators may be asked to leave the competition floor.
Gymnast's Attire: (Competition and Evaluation/Testing )
Gymnasts will be required to wear a shirt at ALL TIMES during warm-ups or competition. Failure to do so can result in a .2 deduction. The wearing of jewelry (chains and ear rings) can also result in a .2 deduction. This can be applied on each event. This policy will extend to the Regional and National Evaluation/Testing Program. Appropriate dress will be strictly enforced on the awards stand.
Foreign Athletes in USAGymnastics Competition:
A foreign athlete may compete in Sanctioned meets, J.O. State, Regionals and Nationals and receive placing, ranking and awards as a US citizen only if the awards are duplicated. They may not displace any US citizen from being on any team.
HIV Policy:
It is suggested by the National Office that gymnasts not be allowed on the warm-up or competition floor with an open wound. Any blood found on the apparatus should be wiped off with bleach. It is also suggested injuries involving bleeding be recorded.
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Region III ChampionshipsSite - Regional Championships Bid Form - http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/men/rules-policies/regchamp-bid.pdf
Bids must be submitted in writing at or before the State Director's Meeting at the Regional Championships. The meet director must be a U.S.A.G. professional member with an active involvement in the boys junior program. The Region Board will vote on the site. Any State Director placing a bid for the Championships will be excluded from the vote. If needed, the Regional Director has the authority to pick the site. It is acceptable to review all of the bids at the board meeting and then use Saturday as an information gathering day to select the best location. If this format is used, then the State Directors should make and announce their decision sometime during the evening session. During the year, if there are ANY changes to the following, the Region Chairman has the ability to reselect a new site. 1) Meet Director 2) Gym Host 3) Meet Site or 4) Meet Date. The Region Board may entertain bids on a two year timeline.
Date - Regional Championships:
It is required that the Regional Championships be held 4 weeks prior to J.O. Nationals. Carefully look at conflicts in scheduling.
Maximum entry fees for the Region III Championships:
Beginning in 2007, USAG has raised the allowable entry fee rate for Regionals to $100.00. (No additional team fees.) HOWEVER, Region III has capped the maximum amount at $75 with $10 of each entry being returned to the Region account. Upon the advisement of the Regional Board, the Regional Chairman has the ability to raise the rate should the meet director show acceptable budgetary reasons for the increase. Fees should always be first discussed with the Regional Director. There will be NO TEAM FEES CHARGED. The Regional Meet does not owe Meet tax to the state in which held, but does owe the National Scholarship Foundation Tax of $1 per gymnast to the national office.
Entry to the Regional Championships:
All entries must be turned into each State Chairman at the conclusion of the State Meet. State Chairman will 1 day mail the entries to the Regional Meet Director within 24 hours of the State Meet. The board is currently working on a way for all of the State and Region Championships can have access to ProScore ™ to run the results so that the data input can be simplified and coordinated for all of the meets.
Top Three Automatically Qualify to the Regional Championships:
Region III has always allowed the top three qualifiers in an age group/level to move on Regionals regardless of their State score. Hopefully, coaches will use some wisdom when selecting a child who has a very low score in an effort to maintain the child’s self esteem.
Specialists to Regionals:
This includes only the Level 10 groups. If a gymnast places in the top 3 spots on an event at State, and does NOT qualify to Regionals in the all around, he may go to Regionals as a specialist. The entry fee will be the same as an all arounder.Elite gymnasts at the Regional Championships:
Elite gymnasts will compete in the same session as the Level 10 gymnasts. Elites in the 16-18 age group will no longer count for Level 10 team scores beginning in 2004. A gymnast may compete at his state meet as a Level 10 and move up to Elite at Regionals if desired. There will not be an entry fee to Regionals charged for any of the Elites.
Team Competition at Regionals:
There is never a charge to enter a team and all of the teams with 3 gymnasts are eligible. In the Level 6, 7 & 9 age groups, each age group will be awarded team awards. In the Level 8 & 10 age groups, the team will be awarded regardless of age group.Excluded Levels at the Regional Championships:
Level 4 & 5 gymnasts WILL NOT attend the Region III Championships.Region III Judging Liaison
The Region Chairman will select an individual as the Region III Judging Liaison. This person should be, but is not required to be the Region III JOTD who is elected by the judges within Region 3.
Title: Region III Judging Liaison
Term: This follows the JOTD Position. Can be altered by the Region III Chairman.
Responsibilities:
1) Act as a liaison between the judging community and the regional board.
2) Requested to be present at the Annual Spring Board Meeting. This will be a voice/no vote position.
3) Will directly communicate with the Regionals Chairman to comprise a list of judges for the Regional & National Championships.
4) Provide a meet referee for the Regional Championships. This person should not be a member of one of the judging panels and can be someone other than the JOTD. The Regional Chaiman should approve the meet referee. It would be preferable for the Meet Referee to be the same person for all of the sessions.
5) Communicate with coaches as issues arise concerning scores or scoring at the Championships.
At the Championships, he will also:
1) Post start values for at least the National bound levels.
2) If an inquiry form is provided, it should be like the national form.
3) Have two judge panels for at least the National bound gymnasts.
5) Submit to the Regional Chairman for approval the pay sheets for all of the judges before turning them into the meet director.
Any of the above items and could be varied with approval of the Men’s Program Manager.
Selection of Judges - Regional Championships
Two judges (nationally rated who have judged three J.O. meets in which Level 9 & 10's routines were used) are required on each event during the Level 9 & 10 sessions. Regional representation is strongly recommended if possible. Any judges from the region who have been selected to judge J.O. Nationals should be selected for the panel. Although it is not required, it is preferable to use two judges on each event for the Level 6-8's.
Time Table:
1) Dec-Jan : State Directors should compile a list of judges they recommend for the Regional Championships. Each of the judges should be checked to make sure they are professional members and safety certified. Please submit only judges who are interested and available to judge the met. Use the Judging Request Form.
2) Feb 1 - 15: There will be a Conference Call with all of the State Chairman and the Region III Chairman to select the panel of judges. The Region III Judging Liaison will be given the recommended panel so that they can be contacted. If the Regional Director does not have a list by February 15, he should be prepared to make the selections.
3) March 1-5: All of the judges should be selected and notified by the Region III Judging Liaison.
Travel arrangements will be coordinated by the Regional Chairman, Judging Liaison and the Regional Meet Director. The State Chairmen will select the Meet Referee for the Championship. Generally, this will be the Region III Judging Liaison. This will be at the expense of the Meet Director.
Judging Payrate:
Beginning in 2004, there is a new standardized judging payrate for the Region III Championships. You can get a copy of this payrate by clicking here. Region III has a special form for the judges to fill out and turn into the meet director at the conclusion of the Championships.
Judging Report:
The Region III Judging Liaison will provide a meet report to the JOVP and the Regional Chairman. The scope of the report should be focused on coach’s education. Region III would like these reports in a format that could be uploaded on the website.Awards - Regional Championships:
Individual and all around awards will be presented as outlined by the USAG Rules and Guidelines. Trophies are not to be given for individual or all around event awards. Team awards are based on top 3 gymnasts in each event per age group. Team awards should be presented to ALL age group having at least 2 teams which meet the three gymnast requirement. There is no "Overall Team" award. The Regional Director, in close contact with the Meet Director, will order individual event and all around awards for the Regional Championships. The Meet Director will order and pay for all individual and team awards.
Region III Championships Schedule:
All schedules must be approved by the Region III Chairman.
Safety Certification:
Safety certification is now required to be a professional member of the USAGymanstics. There are no exceptions.
Region Team to Nationals:
The top six boys in each division that qualifies to J.O. Nationals will comprise the Regional Team. These groups will compete for a team score at Nationals. (The Regional Director may petition a gymnast onto the Regional Team after consultation with each of the State Chairman. One should consult the National R&P for more on this discussion.) Gymnasts measurements after each session are needed for all of the Region Team divisions.
Petitions - Regional Championships (Click here for online petition form)
The coach of a petitioning gymnast should contact their State Chairman. The State Chairman will have the task of approving or denying the petition. The State Chairman may contact the Regional Director for assistance. Once approved, it is the responsibility of the State Director to contact the individual coaches to relay the decision. a) If petition is made prior to or at the State Meet, the name of the gymnast and his entry check should be forwarded with the team entries stating "petition pending." b) if the petition is after the state meet and approved, the gymnast's coach must one day mail the petition to the Regional Meet Director with the entry fee and any applicable late fee. This petition must arrive five (5) full days PRIOR to the start of the Regional Championships. Otherwise, the Regional Meet Director is not required to accept the entry. Petition forms should be accompanied by physicians statement and past meet results. Gymnasts should show from previous scores the ability to easily beat the Region qualifying score (over 2.0 points). Otherwise the petition should not be submitted for consideration. (Please fill out attached Region III Injury Petition Form)
Meet Results from the State Meets:
Each State Meet Results are to be mailed to the Regional Director within 24 hours of the State Meet. It is the duty of the State Meet Director. All State Meet results must be converted to HTML and emailed to the Regional Director to allow for posting to the Region III website. This should be done within a week of the State Championships.
Meet Profit and Loss Statement.:
The Region III Meet Director Must submit a detailed Profit and Loss Statement after the competition. This report must be submitted by June 1 after the competition. The report will include the following for Income: Entry Fee, T-Shirt Sales, Corporate Sponsorship, Gate Admission, Concession and Other Income (Photographer, programs, etc.). The Expense column should include: Facility rental, Equipment rental, Judges Fees, Judges Travel, Meet Taxes, Cost of t-shirts, Rebate to Region III ($10 per gymnast), Awards, Team awards, Give-a-ways, Hospitality, Mailings, Other Expenses. ( This is aid in future bids for the Championships.)
Meet Report:
The Championship Meet Director is required to submit a Meet Report after the Championships.
Region III Level 6 Junior Development Camp: The age group of this level was changed in 2007
The top twelve Level 6 finishers, ages 8,9 will form the Region III Level 6 Development Team. These boys will be treated to a Region III hosted camp. The camp will be chosen by the Region Director. These boys will pay for their travel to and from the site with most of the remaining expenses being covered by the host gym and the Region III account. Lodging will not be provided for this group. Because of this, in most cases, a coach or parent will need to travel with each of the boys. Money is now available, at the discretion of the Regional Chairman, to pay a stipend to the host individual or host gym to does the work of putting the camp together.
Region III Level 7 Junior Development Camp:
The top twelve Level 7 age group 10,11 finishers will form the Region III Level 7 Development Team. These boys will be treated to a Region III hosted camp. The camp will be chosen by the Region Director. These boys will pay for their travel to and from the site with most of the remaining expenses being covered by the host gym and the Region III account. Money is now available, at the discretion of the Regional Chairman, to pay a stipend to the host individual or host gym to does the work of putting the camp together.
Robert Cowan Award
This award is for outstanding contribution to Region III. The award is voted on by the State Chairmen. If possible, the award should be presented at either Regionals or Nationals. Robert Cowan was the first Region III Director. He served from 1974-1985. He was the author of the first Rules and Policies booklet for the USAG Junior Olympic Program. He has been honored with the "Frank Cuminsky Award" for outstanding contribution to U.S. Gymnastics. Robert is a past USAG Men's Program Administrator.
Past Award Recipients:
] USAG Junior Olympic National Championships
Entry to National Championships
All entries must be turned into the Regional Chairman at the conclusion of the Regional Championships. The Regional Chairman will 1 day mail the entries to the National Meet Director. If money is available, the regional account will may a portion of the gymnast's entry to J.O. Nationals. If JO Nationals is held in Region III, no assistance will be provided.
Petition onto the Region Team:Unless the National Office overrides this rules, petitions will not be considered for placement onto the Region III Team to JO Nationals in any of the three groups..
Specialist to Nationals:
This includes only the Level 10 age groups. If a gymnast places in the top 3 spots on an event at Regionals but does NOT qualify to Nationals in the all around, he may go to Nationals as a specialist. The entry fee will remain the same but will not be paid by the Regional Account. JO Nationals is now accepting qualifiers in 3, 4 or 5 events if their totals reach a certain percentage of the actual qualifying score. You can get the exact percentages from the national website.
Junior Olympic National Championships:
Entry forms and fees are due at the Regional Championships. Checks from state directors should be made to Region 3 Gymnastics. Entry is $125.
2008 USAG Junior Olympic National Age Groups & Qualifying Scores
Level 9 & 10 Nationals (These are the 2008 figures)
For 2007, it is the goal of the National office to set a target number of 288 Level 9's, 216 14,15 Level 10's and 216 16-18 Level 10's not including petitions. Because of this, there is an established allotment for each Level. Boys who do not make the qualifying score, but do fall within the allotment, will be invited to JO Nationals.
| Age & Level | Type of Competition | Qualifying Scores |
| 12-13 Level 9 | Optionals | 72.00 A/A at Regionals |
| 14-15 Level 10 | Optionals | 75.00 A/A at Regionals |
| 16-18 Level 10 | Optionals | 76.50 A/A at Regionals |
National Top 8 Camp:
The top 8 Level 10 (16-18 years) and top 8 Level 10 (14-15) finishers at the J.O. Nationals will qualify for the Junior National Team Camp. Meetings at Nationals must be attended to confirm spots. If your gymnast has a chance of being in the top 8, coach and gymnast should get a passport prior to J.O. Nationals.
Level 10 Development Camps:
Places 9-25 in each of the 16-18 Level 10 & 14-15 Level 10 and top 7 level 9's are eligible a development camp at the USOTC. Meetings at J.O. Nationals must be attended to confirm spots.
Academic All American Award:
Each year coaches should check with High School Students within their gym to see if anyone would be eligible for this academic award. Please refer to the National Rules and Policies for a complete set of guidelines. Due date for applications is April 1.
Service to Youth Award:
Any coach who is currently a USA Gymnastic Professional Member is eligible for this award if they have given service for exact periods of 5, 10 or 15 years. Volunteer service should be connected with the USA Gymnastics. Examples are: State or Region Directorships, Committee Membership, National Coaching Staff, National Board membership, etc. This is not an award for the number of years a person has been coaching. Possible selections for this award should be forwarded to the Regional Director or National Director by the first of April each year.
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USA Gymnastics Men’s J.O. Natl. Team ProgramState (Evaluation) Testing
A one day clinic format should be used emphasizing materials which support the education of both coaches and gymnasts. The clinic should be a "hands on" experience catering to the specific needs of the particular state.
Region III Future Star Testing:
The Regional Evaluation is for the 8-9, 10,11 & 12 year old age group. The program will generally be in October at least three weeks prior to the Future Stars National Event. Bids for the site will be turned into the Regional Director at the Regional Championships. Refer to the Junior Olympic Program Book for routines, strength and flexibility requirements.
Region III Clinic:
Each year the region will attempt to hold a region clinic designed to assist both coaches and gymnasts. The clinic should be centered around a "hands on" experience. Since the evaluation is a one day event, the clinic should be held on the same weekend.
National Future Star Test and National Coaches Workshop:
Boys selected from the Regionals Evaluation will attend the National Future Stars Testing. The meet will be held in November if possible. A national coaches workshop will be included in the three day event. Age group development camps for some of the top finishers will take place in the summer of the following year. Check the USAG Rules and Guidelines for more details.