Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center

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

20th century

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

• 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

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

• Christina Desiderio
• Margzetta Frazier
• Emjae Frazier
• Kristen Maloney ^[2]
• Vanessa Meloche
• Elizabeth Price ^[2]
• Jennifer Sey
• Hope Spivey ^[2]
• Kristal Uzelac ^[2]

Notable coaches

• 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

1. "Parkettes Gymnastics Training Center in the Lehigh Valley, PA". www.parkettes.com.
2. 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.
3. "PARKETTES HONOR EX-MACK BOARD HEAD FYI". The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania. November 24, 1985. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
4. Peter Hall. "Gym owners, 3 coaches named in SafeSport allegations at elite Pa. gymnastics training center". Times News Online.
5. Koltnow, Bo (21 February 2022). "Allentown's Parkettes defending itself against allegations of abuse". WFMZ.com.
6. 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.
7. "Transcripts CNN Presents Achieving The Perfect 10". transcripts.cnn.com. August 10, 2003. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
8. "Book Review: "Chalked Up" by Jennifer Sey". thegymnasticsguide.com. Retrieved December 12, 2023.

External links

• Official website

40°36′02″N75°27′49″W / 40.60050°N 75.46361°W / 40.60050; -75.46361