'Mindset Of Joy' Helped UAA Gymnastics Overcome Obstacles

Anchorage AK

28 March, 2022

4:58 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Alaska Anchorage: March 23, 2022 On Saturday, UAA's gymnastics team concluded a one-of-a-kind season in Davis, California, at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship. The team of 14 athletes finished fifth in the team standings with career highs from three Seawolf gymnasts. It was a solid ending to a season that had no shortage of challenges. For the first time in its history, the gymnastics team competed solely on donated dollars. The athletes began fundraising when they learned in 2020 the program would be eliminated as the result of budget cuts to the university system from the State of Alaska. The team jumped into action — cold calling businesses, asking friends and family for support, even donating their hair for proceeds. COVID-19 canceled their season, so instead of competing, they fundraised. The 2021-22 season was different. The team was able to practice and compete with fewer pandemic-related disruptions. Marie-Sophie Boggasch, head coach, UAA alumna and chief fundraiser, says the athletes focused more on competition and less on finding funding. "There is a lot of stress associated with [raising money]. I think this year, we were better at keeping it away from the team so that they could focus a little bit more on practicing," she says. But, the demand for dollars continued as the team traveled to competitions, competed regularly and scored points. They have raised $740,000 so far and must raise $192,000 more by June 30, 2022, in order to continue to compete next year and into the future. This press release was produced by the University of Alaska Anchorage. The views expressed here are the author's own.