Our story
Gymnet Sports became our official name in 1987 but we started way before. Gymnet Sports was truly founded when Tom Burgdorf was a high school gymnast in the ’60s and wanted to make a difference in the gymnastics community. After attending Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Missouri St. Louis studying physical education Tom opened FGC Gymnastics in St. Louis. FGC remained a successful gym for many years and spawned satellite gyms in Warrenton MO, and Washington MO. During this time we started Metro Gymnastics and Metro Gymnastics Camp.
Metro Gymnastics was the beginning of Tom’s career in Directing Gymnastics meets which has continued for over 30 years. Camp began in 1980 to offer gymnastics training opportunities for girls during the summer. In 1988 Tom developed GBP (Gymnastics Business Program) a hard copy newsletter that 10% of the gymnastic clubs in the U.S. subscribed to. Continuing the meets and newsletter through the ’90s and into the new millennium Tom also managed to find time to speak at numerous USAG National Congresses. In 2000, 2002 and 2004 Tom was co-director of USAG Region 4 Mini Congress in St. Louis. His son, David Burgdorf, after completing a six year enlistment in the US Air Force joined the team in 2002.
Early in 2006 Tom co-founded an organization called AmeriKids Gymnastics. AmeriKids Gymnastics has been integral in reshaping how the gymnastics community handles costs by reducing meet fees, how gyms can reduce costs by introducing a new gym liability insurance program, and most importantly AmeriKids has introduced revolutionary ideas on class times trying to get the whole community to adopt the idea that gymnastics should be “an enhancement” to a child’s life instead of gymnastics “being” the child’s life. In 2008 Gymnet Sports started the Building Champions Gymnastics Camp and has seen it double in growth each year. Our dreams are to capture the gymnasts feelings that we had in the ’80s with a live in camp focusing on not just gymnastics but on life as well. Also in 2008 the newsletter changed to include two free versions, Gymnastics Owners “Tips” Newsletter and Parenting an Athlete for parents. Each has its own paid versions as well.
2010 saw our newest endeavor come, Midwest Gymnastics Business Convention. The convention which was held in St. Louis was a great success. 2011 is on track to be our busiest and most rewarding year to date. We can’t wait to have you join us!