Question 1

Why do we need to save UAA Gymnastics?

Accepted Answer

On August 19, 2020, a recommendation was made public that proposed the elimination of the successful Division I gymnastics program at UAA after this competitive season, due to significant reductions in state funding. 
 
UAA Gymnastics has been an integral part of UAA’s mission since 1984, has helped to serve higher education needs of the state and its communities, and has encouraged around 200 student-athletes to obtain their baccalaureate and graduate degrees in a rich, diverse and inclusive environment.
UAA Gymnastics fills a crucial role serving the local community needs by providing an incredible amount of volunteer hours. Prior to Covid-19 (in 2019), UAA Gymnastics clocked the highest efforts among all UAA athletic teams with 554 hours among its 18 members. Additionally, UAA is the only higher education institution in the State of Alaska that offers a gymnastics team. Many young Alaskan gymnasts look up to these women as their role models and are shaped by the determination to one day join this team to step into their footsteps. Very few Alaskan gymnasts have ever made the jump to go to an out-of-state university. Cutting UAA Gymnastics, would be a disservice to UAA’s community outreach in the city of Anchorage and the State of Alaska.
 
UAA Gymnasts strive for excellence on the competition floor, in the classroom and beyond, and it shows in our impressive statistics, including 130 UAA Letter Award Winners, 120 All-MPSF athletic honorees, 102 Academic All-MPSF honorees, 84 Academic All-America honorees in the last 15 years, rankings in the top ½ of the country for team GPA for over a decade straight, with several top 10 showings. In the last full season (2019), the UAA Gymnastics team recorded its best season yet breaking 17 school records and UAA's best-ever finish at NCAA Regionals by then-Junior Sophia Hyderally, who tied for the MPSF title on beam.
 
Please show your support by donating to keep UAA Gymnastics alive! 
 
Share and spread the word! Every Dollar Counts!

Question 2

How can UAA Gymnastics be saved?

Accepted Answer

UAA Gymnastics will be saved if we raise a total of $888,000 by June 30, 2022. As of May 2022, approximately $840,000 has been collected.
The first target of presenting half of the goal amount ($444,000) in cash was successfully accomplished last semester, which allowed us to continue through the 2021-2022 competitive season.

Question 3

How can I help save UAA Gymnastics?

Accepted Answer

Make a monetary donation (click here)
Contribute to one of our ongoing fundraisers or events 
Stay tuned on UAA Gymnastics Social Media accounts and the homepage to learn about ongoing fundraising events (e.g. merchandise sales, camps/clinics, etc.)

Question 4

Can I mail a check?

Accepted Answer

Yes! The University of Alaska Foundation is able to accept mailed checks.
Make checks payable to: University of Alaska Foundation
Include “UAA Gymnastics” in the memo
Mail to: University of Alaska Foundation; 1815 Bragaw St., Ste. 206; Anchorage, AK  99508
Please, see FAQs on donations to UAA on this website: https://engage.alaska.edu/uaa/gymnastics

Question 5

What happens to my donation if UAA Gymnastics is not reinstated?

Accepted Answer

Donations of less than $1,000 made to UAA directly will be reallocated within UAA Athletics. Direct donations to UAA of $1,000 or more can be returned: https://engage.alaska.edu/uaa/gymnastics
 
Donations via the Benton Bay Lions will be rerouted to benefit the Alaskan gymnastics community: https://www.bentonbaylions.org/donate.html

Question 6

Can I donate specific attire/equipment/gifts-in-kind?

Accepted Answer

Yes! A donor can also provide tangible items, such as Backpacks, Competition Leo(s), Practice Leo(s), Clothing Attire, etc.
 
Please, contact Head Coach Marie-Sophie Boggasch at mboggasch@alaska.edu or 907-952-3563

Question 7

Are there future events that I can attend to support?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can find upcoming Fundraisers on our social media pages and under "Upcoming events"
Sign up for the Save UAA Gymnastics Camp here: http://gymnastics.uaacamps.com

Question 8

How can I help spread the word?

Accepted Answer

Sharing, reposting, commenting, engaging, etc. in ALL of our social media! 
 
Our goal is to reach the entire Gymternet, even internationally!

Question 9

Once reached goal amount, is the Gymnastics program saved after two years?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Chancellor indicated during the Board of Regents meeting on September 10, 2020 that UAA is striving to be in a better fiscal position and in that case will be able to absorb the cost of the teams in jeopardy after these two critical years. UAA Gymnastics has also developed multiple action plans to achieve self-sustainability for years to come, but needs your donation for a chance to implement those.es, the Chancellor indicated during the Board of Regents meeting on September 10, 2020 that UAA is striving to be in a better fiscal position and a long-term strategy has been developed. It is in the early stages of implementation.

Question 10

What is the exact motion that the Board of Regents passed?

Accepted Answer

“The Board of Regents approves the reinstatement of women’s gymnastics at the University of Alaska Anchorage for the 2021-22 athletic season, contingent upon supporters raising private funding to cover one year of operating expenses ($444,000) by June 30, 2021. For reinstatement beyond the 2021-22 athletic season, supporters must raise one additional year of operating expenses by June 30, 2022. In the event the 2022-23 funding goal is not met as required, UAA Gymnastics will be discontinued on June 30, 2022."The Board of Regents approves discontinuation of women's gymnastics at the University of Alaska Anchorage, effective June 30, 2021. The board will consider reestablishing women's gymnastics if supporters can provide private funding to cover two years of operating expenses ($888,000) by February 2021. This motion is effective September 10, 2020."

Question 11

If I want to donate but would rather speak to someone over the phone, can I do that?

Accepted Answer

UAA Head Coach Marie-Sophie Boggasch 
mboggasch@alaska.edu or (907) 952-3563
 
UA Chief Donor Relations Officer Tlisa Northcutt 
tanorthcutt@alaska.edu or (907) 786-1211 
 
UAA Athletics Senior Development Officer Travis Parrish 
tlparrish@alaska.edu or (907) 764-4670

Question 12

What if I donate a small amount, will it even help?

Accepted Answer

YES! “A donation is a donation…no matter how small”-inspired by Dr. Seuss

#SAVEUAAGYMNASTICS

#BeAPerfect10

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