University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe History

In 1946, the University of Maryland experienced a sudden influx of students, with many veterans returning home from World War II. One of those veterans, David A. Field, arrived at the University as a physical education instructor. There he founded the University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe whose goals were to provide healthful recreational activities to students, promoting the sport of gymnastics, providing entertainment for their audiences and acting as “Ambassadors of Goodwill” for all those that they encountered. Since the first performance in Ritchie Coliseum on January 10, 1947, for the halftime of the Maryland-George Washington basketball game, Gymkana has used gymnastics to promote its message and inspire others. The season culminated, as it has every year since, with the 1st annual Home Show on April 23, 1947.

Today, the Gymkana Troupe is still alive and strong, making it one of the oldest student-based organizations on Maryland’s campus. All University students are still welcome to become members – no experience required (a cornerstone of the program since its beginnings). As an official program of the UMD School of Public Health, today students on the team are now referred to as “Ambassadors of Healthy, Active Choices” promoting public health messages and drug-free living to their audiences, the University population and the thousands of children that participate in Gymkana’s annual summer camp and gymnastics classes. A family away from home to many of its members, Gymkana is more than just a student group or gymnastics team. It is an opportunity for the mentorship and the development of young adults who always know that they have a place at the University of Maryland to call home.

This history project was launched in 2016 to connect our audience of members, alumni, families, and fans to the extensive history of the University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe. Since it’s founding, Gymkana has been a self-funded and self-supported non-profit program in an ever-changing University landscape. Practice space, uniforms, costumes, equipment and supplies were hard to come by and only earned through hard work and dedication. In moments when it seemed that there was no future for the program, its coaches, alumni and members stood up and fought to save it. 

Having spent many years looking forward to ensure its survival, Gymkana never had the resources available to effectively look backward to archive and preserve its own history. A crowdfunding campaign gave it the kickstart needed to begin processing the Troupe’s massive archive collection, digitizing its content, and sharing it with the World. 

Working with the University Archives, Gymkana raised funds through the Launch UMD program for cataloging and digitizing this collection of documents, memorabilia, videos, and roughly 15,000 photographs and 35mm slides. It also assisted with the creation of this online archive that will make Gymkana’s historical content accessible to everyone. For its thousands of alumni, the University of Maryland community, and generations of families and friends, this extensive and accessible historical content would be a truly cherished gift. Additionally, preserving Gymkana’s historical foundation will allow it to continue to shape and inspire future members and audiences. 

We would like to acknowledge the donors who generously contributed to this project:

This website would also not be possible without the incredible effort and contributions of Todd Supple, including the creation of the original history book, "Gymkana Troupe: The First 50 Years", published in 1997. (Read his foreword here)

Here are his acknowledgments from that publication.

This is the work of many people.  I would like to start off by thanking the three men most responsible for the fact that Gymkana has actually had a 50 year history - Dr. David A. Field, Dr. George F. Kramer, and Dr. Joseph Murray.  Their support, efforts, and comments as this work took shape were invaluable.

My thanks also to the many people who contributed stories, information, pictures, and support - Yuri Achille, Fred Altiere, Dave Andersen, Warren Balogh, Rich Baum, Amy Blades, Bernie Bohince, Spencer Boileau, Diana (Hunt) Brande, Soozie (Eisen) Brendler, Jody (Steinberg) Brown, Clint Bucco, Joanne Cavanaugh, David T. Cheng, Lizet Christiansen, Sue (Kramer) Cohen, Mike Comberiate, Anna Dato, Kathy (McGuire) Dougherty, Evy Dumas, Tom Fennelly, Stacey (Collins) Fisher, Bill Foland, Christine Garrett, RoseAnne (Scotti) Georgiades, Howard Griffin, Joan (Essex) Guglielmino, Bob Hallwig, Dick and Shirley Heintz, Jim and Barbara (Headlee) Houck, Dorothy Houlditch, Denise Hunt, John Iacangelo, Jimmy Infante, Mary (McGowan) King, Jeff Kinney, Al Kuckhoff, Judy Kuester, Nancy Leggieri, Jim Lisehora, Marion (Copping) Lisehora,  Debbie (Nelson) MacPherson, Bill Mathis, Hirschel McGinnis,  Theresa Messina, Steve and Chris (Sturek) Miller, Julie (Schwarz) Miller, Emily Montfort, Josh and Dani (Offen) Montfort, Nick Orrick, Anna Padlan, Cecilia Padlan, Patricia Padrino, Bob Phillips, Chuck Pinckney, Danielle Polizzi, Sara Pula, Christine Redding, Hiley Saint Vincent, Jonathan Szczepanski, Philip Szczepanski, Paul and Margie (Jones) Simmers, Dave Simon, Michelle Smith, Kelly Soltysiak, Joyce (Kalimon) Steinberg, Nell Sydavar, George and Chick (Cheek) Terrell, Don and Jean (Scott) Wagner, Scott Welsh, Carol Whitney, and Melissa Yacuk.  My apologies to anybody I might have inadvertently forgotten.

Acknowledgment also goes to all of the writers of the newpaper stories included, as well as to the publications from which they came, especially the Diamondback.

Finally, my thanks to all the unnamed troupers who took the pictures, wrote the diaries, and kept together the pieces of Gymkana memorabilia throughout the past 50 years.  This work would not have been possible without their efforts. 

Todd Supple

Editor