Whether back-flipping over a vault, tumbling through a ring of fire or balancing on a pyramid of people, these spectacular feats take one essential skill and anyone can learn it.
“We get people from all skill levels in Gymkana – including people who’ve never done any gymnastics – but the skill you have to be able to build is really good trust with each other,” said UMD student Joey Murray ‘27, the youngest of three generations of Murrays who have tumbled, balanced and juggled their way through UMD Gymkana and beyond.
For Joey Murray – and so many others – there is something special about the family-like bonds formed in the University of Maryland’s Gymkana troupe. It’s why he transferred to UMD his sophomore year and followed in the footsteps of his father, grandmother and grandfather, all troupe members before him.
The skill you have to be able to build is really good trust with each other.
The Murrays
Joey’s grandfather, Joe Murray ‘66, or “Doc,” joined as a student in 1963 and directed the troupe as head coach from 1981 until he retired two decades later. You’ll still see him at Wednesday evening practice helping students with drills.
“My best experience at Maryland was the Gymkana troupe – it took the place of sororities and fraternities. It changed my entire life,” said Doc, who became close friends with George Kramer, often called the godfather of UMD Gymkana.
Joey’s father, Bryan Murray ‘98, says he was born into the troupe.
“My mom was doing forward rolls on the balance beam with me inside her – so for me there was no start and no end to Gymkana, and I’m still in it!” Bryan says as he prepares to train students in juggling.
Bryan’s mother and Joey’s grandmother, Gail Lee ‘72, who taught physical education and then science for four decades, remembers Gymkana fondly: “I loved the camaraderie – when you are in a really big [university] like this, it was a place to go, to make friends.”
The draw of Gymkana is strong. The Murrays are not the only family with generations in Gymkana – Joey’s friend Johnny Manzari is also a third-generation member and several families have two generations of troupe members, such as current head coach Josh Montfort and his son Luke.
Healthy choices and inclusion
Gymkana is well-known in Maryland and beyond for daredevil stage acts, famously performing on America’s Got Talent, and producing a spectacular annual Home Show at UMD – including the upcoming 80th anniversary show at Xfinity Center on April 10 and 11.
Behind the big performances, there is a strong core philosophy.
“Students join us at such a formative time in their lives. And while we are known for promoting healthy choices and putting on performances, internally we spend a lot of time fostering a culture that is inclusive and safe,” said Ben Prescott ‘08, Gymkana assistant director, former troupe member and SPH kinesiology alumnus.
There are no tryouts or rejections. One of the pillars of the program, says Prescott, is welcoming people of all ability levels. “But you really have to be all in – it’s hard to participate in Gymkana in a passive or limited way.”
Failure and resilience
As a young troupe member, Bryan Murray tore a tendon that took him out of every act he was in. On crutches and devastated to miss performing the acts he had worked so hard on, he took up juggling at the suggestion of his roommate, a juggler in the troupe, and hasn’t looked back since. Wednesday evenings Bryan is often coaching the newest set of troupe jugglers.
George Kramer, a mentor to Bryan, taught that Gymkana was about doing the absolute best you can do and if you fail, you try again. “That is the mentality we teach to the kids here today. And it works for every aspect of life – whether it’s a friendship, your marriage, your job. You can achieve things you never thought possible,” said Bryan.
Kramer’s philosophy echoes through the generations.
“You’re going to start doing skills and you’re going to fail. But you keep working towards it and you finally get it and that’s what really bonds you together. When you get the skill, that is so real!” said Joey, who is pre-med and wants to study radiology.
He also notes that, unlike many sports, the competition in Gymkana is with yourself. “We want to improve ourselves. There’s no overbearing need to be better than everyone else – it’s never one person doing something, it takes everyone to put these acts together.”
For Doc, seeing his grandson transform and grow in Gymkana is the proof in the pudding.
“It’s one of the proudest things I’ve experienced. I always hoped Joey would join Gymkana but I never expected it. Joey was shy, but he’s come 1,000 miles – he is so happy and has so many friends. This is why I just want to see [Gymkana] keep on going and going.”
Beyond campus
The troupe also performs in Maryland schools – and often in communities and at sporting events – throughout the year, dazzling kids from primary to high school with acrobatic tricks, while also promoting messages of healthy choices and drug-free lives.
Every summer, the Gymkana troupe offers camps for children from 5 to 15 years old to learn basics like tumbling, trampoline and games that develop movement and body control as well as instruction in more complex gymnastics such as vault and balance beam. Adults and youth can take gymnastics classes all year.
“Many kids who come to our summer camp end up coming to Maryland for college because they want to be a part of Gymkana,” said Prescott. “It’s all about the people involved.”
All of the Murrays agree.
“The gymnastics is the least of it. I am still friends with so many people from Gymkana – godparents to their kids, in their weddings. We are all family,” said Bryan.
Joey added: “I’ve met so many amazing people on the team – they are what makes Gymkana what it is.”
