Every year, dozens of students enter the School of Public Health and try Gymkana for the first time. No experience is necessary to join the troupe— a principle that has remained consistent since Gymkana’s founding. For 80 years, Gymkana has introduced thousands of young adults to gymnastics and acrobatics, as well as a community of teammates, friends, coaches, and mentors that can last a lifetime. The troupe inspires kids, students, and adults alike to live an active, healthy life.
The University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe began in 1946 when Dr. David A. Field took a position at the university as a physical education instructor after returning from World War II. Dr. Field had been a part of the original Gymkana Troupe at the University of Illinois in the 1930s, and since then, he dreamt of starting his own gymnastics and acrobatics performance troupe. He put out an invitation for interested students, both men and women, to join Gymkana. The team began practicing in November of 1946. Initially, Gymkana had very little equipment, and only a few troupers had previous acrobatic experience. Yet, under Dr. Field’s guidance and coaching, the troupe was able to create experimental, entertaining shows.
Gymkana’s first performance was a tumbling halftime show for a UMD vs George Washington University game. Some of Gymkana’s first prominent acts included parallel bars, trampoline, rope skipping, vault, and dance/flexibility. That first year, they presented more halftime shows, as well as performing off-campus at Maryland high schools. Many of these first shows were heavily improvised, and consisted of very little physical gymnastics equipment, as the troupe had no way to transport major apparatus. Instead, the early teams relied on acts like partner balancing, pyramids, tumbling, dance, and baton twirling.
When Dr. Field accepted a teaching position elsewhere in the summer of 1953, Gymkana’s future was uncertain. Dr. George Kramer, a then-graduate student and a trouper of three years, stepped up and kept the program alive. Dr. Kramer directed and worked with the troupe until 1985, and his contributions still echo through the team. He played a major part in securing Gymkana’s gymnastics gym in the School of Public Health, the same facility the troupe uses today.
Since its beginning, Gymkana has performed at elementary, middle, and high schools, colleges, parades, military bases, halftime shows for the NCAA and NBA, conventions, and many other unique stages. Gymkana’s act repertoire has also expanded to include more traditional gymnastics apparatus (such as uneven bars, rings, and balance beam), free movement/parkour, teeterboard, aerial silks, and juggling. Some specialized, novel Gymkana acts include contortion, rhythmic gymnastics, jump rope, and dance.
Along with encouraging acrobatic growth, Gymkana also presents students with dozens of leadership and developmental opportunities. Foundational values like work ethic, teamwork, and integrity are emphasized, with plenty of opportunities to take on leadership roles as an officer, committee chair, or act coordinator. From creating and organizing acts to deciding on music and costumes to performing, every trouper is included in Gymkana’s unique shows. Even troupers who don’t have a leadership title are integrally involved in troupe functions. The continued operation of this team is due to the collaboration and unity of everyone involved— each trouper gets a chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
For 80 years, the passion of the troupe and the coaching staff has enabled Gymkana to remain successful even among hardships. It is the teamwork and dedication of everyone involved that will allow Gymkana to continue presenting entertaining performances and inspiring healthy choices for years to come.
Gymkana’s 80th Anniversary Home Show will be held at the Xfinity Center on April 10th and 11th. We encourage you to come celebrate its rich history with this year’s Gymkana Troupe.