Ball State University Athletics
Gymnastics Team Opens Season Friday at Penn
January 06, 2009 | Gymnastics
The Ball State women's gymnastics team opens its 2008-09 season Friday in a 1 p.m. meet at Penn. Following is a question and answer with second-year head coach Nadalie Walsh:
Q: What is your team philosophy?
A: "Our team philosophy is based on an underlying belief that college gymnastics is about more than just learning and repeating skills in the gym. We believe college gymnastics teaches lessons in building lifelong friendships, self confidence, time management and how to preserve a winning mentality. In maintaining these beliefs, we provide a positive atmosphere in which the team can thrive. It is also important each team member believes they are a valued and important factor on the team. The philosophy in the gym upholds itself when all members come to the place of true belief in one another, our goals and in the vision of the program."
Q: What makes a Ball State gymnast?
A: "A Ball State gymnast is defined by hard work, dedication, passion, attention to detail, a balance of humility and pride, determination and willingness to believe in what is not yet seen."
Q: What is your favorite part of coaching at Ball State?
A: "Besides the beautiful state-of-the-art campus and friendly Midwest appeal of Muncie, I love coaching at Ball State because I believe this University truly values the many benefits of intercollegiate athletics and provides its coaches with the tools we need to build successful programs and ultimately successful and well-rounded student-athletes."
Q: What are the top three success factors for Ball State Gymnastics 2009?
A: "We believe the following three factors are crucial in the success of this program: 1.) The confidence and renewed mindset of the returning student-athletes. These gymnasts remember how it felt to increase the team score by eight points from the first meet to the last in 2008. They believe in their future. 2.) The raw talent and experience of the freshmen. Each of them were recruited to come in and make a difference and they already have. Their personalities and gymnastic skills are in perfect harmony with our returning veterans. Ball State gymnasts have respectful attitudes, diligent work ethics and precise goals. 3.) The unified vision between student-athletes, coaches and the Ball State athletics department as a whole."
Q: What is your outlook on the 2009 season?
A: "There are several exciting things happening to the Ball State Gymnastics program. We are hosting the MAC Championships, we are competing in Worthen Arena, we will be wearing new uniforms from Motionwear and we will be practicing and competing on new equipment. With so much to be thankful for, we expect to have a season which gives back to those who have believed in us from the beginning ? starting with the student-athletes. In order to give back, we are preparing as best we can to leave nothing undone from the beginning. We would like to see the team walk in confidence and victory, believe victory is already theirs and train and compete with their whole hearts. If they can accomplish this, we will enjoy watching them attain the team goals they set in August."
