While definitely true for the Ivies, the Academies athletic departments have a lot more "input" into admissions. Yes, the academic criteria at USAFA is tough, but it is doable.
Good Luck.
First, Welcome.
Second, you do know that the Air Force Academy has a Women's gymnastics team and that they are a D1 School, right? Granted, they are not Utah or the Gym Dogs, but if she wants to get to her goal of flying, there couldn't be a better option.
Academy appointments take some work...
I totally echo what @bookworm said. We saw that on the recruiting end as well. This being said with the exception of the Ivies; there they do have strong academic requirements, but I would still bet that Stanford has the ability to slip the academic requirements a bit for a kick-butt athlete...
Dad1234 -
Take this advice in the spirit it is intended from a dad of a now retired former L10 gymnast - TRUST THE COACHES to make this kind of decision. I have been where you are; you want to protect, shelter, and make the decisions for your dd. You must come to grips with the fact that in...
Bog beat me to it. What, exactly is your niece going to be training for? I hope that your answer is something other than the word "gymnastics". A backyard is no place for gymnastics training. A gym with proper matting and a trained coach is the only place for gymnastics training.
You are kidding, right? Your DD's optional team doesn't have a coach, has been using boy's coaches, and you want to bring in an outside coach for a private? All snarky-ness aside, I would be running to a new gym with a qualified staff as fast as my little feet would carry me. Training...
TD -
In addition to your wife's approach which I like, here is one way to answer them: "What level my daughter competes is between her and her coaches; we are there to be her parents and support her in all that she does and not get involved in HER sport. If you have an issue about the level...
Well, it depends on what you are going to have that meet director do. It can range from all of the prep work before the meet to just showing up at the meet and “running the meet”. Just to show up - maybe $30 an hour. To do all of the prep work and run the meet - easily a couple of thousand...
Lady Luck was good, heard that Alamo was good. Broadmoor is nice as is Spirit of the Flame in San Jose and Classic Rock in Phoenix. I do think though that Chicago Style may have been at the top; I know, its huge and its Chicago in Feb, but was a very well-run meet.
For you - patience and a Margharita.
For her - Just the patience.
This is a gateway skill and it is all about timing. Oh so many years ago, my dd (and most of her team at the time) fought with this skill. It eventually came. Fast forward to her level 10 season and it was as natural as...
Yes as others have said - no need to be a coach.
I was an involved parent that stepped up to fill a need. You do have to become a professional member of USAG ($); you have to be safety certified ($); you have to do the safe sport training; you have to pass the background check ($); and you...