Gina Augspurger has served as student manager for the UK gymnastics team for three years and she is an integral part of the program. Augspurger came to Kentucky as a walk-on in 2001, but later felt that she could better help the program in a managerial role.
?Although I?m not competing anymore, it is great to be able to continue to be a part of the team,? Augspurger said. ?I?ve been a gymnast for such a long time, it means a lot to me that I am still a member of this team.?
Her duties with the team include handling music for the athletes? floor routines, organizing equipment for home and away meets and event management for all of UK?s home meets. More importantly, she serves as a support to the team in practice and during competition.
?Gina is wonderful to have on the team,? Coach ?Mo? Muhammad said. ?She is a positive and enthusiastic person and she helps in every aspect of what we are trying to achieve here at UK. She is the catalyst that helps everything run smoothly in the gym and on the road.?
Q&A with Gina Augspurger
Why did you come to UK?
?I came to UK because I wanted to compete in gymnastics and I felt at home here. It is close to home, but it is also far enough away that I could be my own person. I really liked the team and the coaches.?
What is your favorite thing about the University?
?I like the pride people take in the school and the athletics. We get a lot of support from the community and other students and means a lot to us.?
What will you miss the most when you leave?
?I?m really going to miss my friends and the team.?
What do you like about working with the team?
?I like that we are so close. It feels like a family. We help each other deal with all types of situations related to gymnastics, friendships and school.?
How do you like the new coaching staff?
?They are awesome. I like them a lot. I have gotten close to Tom (Haley) and Megan (Fenton) and of course I?ve known Mo forever.?
What do you want to do when you leave UK?
?I want to do something with sports related to advertising or public relations.?
