The Lindenwood University athletics department announced today the addition of women's gymnastics to its sports portfolio. Gymnastics will be the 27th program for the athletics department which is currently in the candidacy stage of becoming a NCAA Division II member.
The gymnastics program will begin competition during the 2012-2013 season as a non-divisional program vying for qualification to the USAG Collegiate National Championships, which includes NCAA Division I, II, and III programs. In the 2013-2014 school year, the Lady Lions will be a NCAA Division II program which will then be eligible for qualification to NCAA Regional and National Championships.
“I believe this is an incredible opportunity for the sport of gymnastics, Lindenwood and surrounding community,” said head coach Gretchen Goerlitz. “Young women will also have a great opportunity to be among the ranks of the first incoming classes of gymnasts. Together we will create a legacy and build a program full of traditions, excellence, excitement, and a culture of growth and positivity. “
The Lady Lions will be the third gymnastics program in the state of Missouri, joining the University of Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University. Gymnastics competitions will be held in the Hyland Performance Arena which is also the home for the basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs. In the initial stages of the program, the Lady Lions will be practicing at one of the best equipped Olympic-caliber gymnastics training facilities in the country – GymQuarters gymnastics in O'Fallon, Mo. GymQuarters is owned by Scott and Debbie Cusimano who have had 38 gymnasts receive full scholarships to compete in college gymnastics and over 151 Junior Olympic national qualifiers.
“Lindenwood is in a perfect location for gymnastics,” said Goerlitz. “There are so many great gymnasts in the local as well as regional area that will be integral in building this program from the ground up. There has already been such an outpouring of support for the program that I cannot wait to begin.”
