2016 - 2017

Director & Head Coach: Josh Montfort

Assistant Director: Ben Prescott

Assistant Coaches: Todd Supple, Angie Prescott, Sami Ahmed

Officer Body

  • President: Andrew Desrocher

  • Vice President: Sam Massa

  • Secretary: Ariel Jarvis

  • Treasurer: Dylan Taylor

  • Historian:  Kushol Huq

Award Recipients

  • Best Act: Comedy Parallel Bars - Kushol Huq, Michael Michelotti, and Alex Mueck

  • Best Female Trouper: Jennifer Wall

  • Best Male Trouper: Andrew Desrocher

New Dean

In early 2017, the School of Public Health welcomed a new Dean, Dr. Boris Lushniak. Dr. Lushniak arrived from the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in Bethesda, Maryland. He was a professor and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics and Professor of Dermatology. Prior to that position, he served as the U.S. Deputy Surgeon General from November 2010 to September 2015 and held the position of Acting Surgeon General from July 2013 to December 2014.

A transition to new leadership in the college is an insecure time for Gymkana, particularly to someone from outside UMD that is unfamiliar with the Troupe. However, Dean Lushniak was immediately and fully supportive of the program. He attended Gymkana events and spoke with high praise for the troupers and their efforts. He would often highlight the Gymkana gym in his tours of the college for guests.

“We are the only School of Public Health in the nation with its own sports team.”

Dr. Boris Lushniak

In Gymkana’s 71st season, the Troupe continued to thrive with a roster size around 75 at Home Show. Alumni spectators often complimented the Troupe, noting that somehow the performances were getting stronger every year. This year, comedy acts on both parallel bars and trampoline captivated the audience. Three sets of ladders were used, marking the largest ladders act in Gymkana history. Also, Dylan Taylor performed a triffus— a triple front flip with a half turn out— on trampoline, another Gymkana first.

Troupers also took initiative to participate in community service. Efforts included community clean-ups and a Habitat for Humanity trip over Spring Break.

Another important milestone of the season is the establishment of the Gymkana History website that you’re on right now. It was created in February of 2017, and by April, it contained a collection of Home Show videos dating back to 1970 available to the public.

Itinerary

  • 2/10/2017 - Parr’s Ridge Elementary School - Mt. Airy, MD

  • 2/11/2017 - UMD vs. Ohio State men’s basketball halftime show - College Park, MD

  • 2/17/2017 - Clear Spring Elementary School - Damascus, MD

  • 2/24/2017 - Seven Oaks Elementary School - Odenton, MD

  • 3/3/2017 - Hagerstown Community College - Hagerstown, MD

  • 3/10/2017 - UMD CYC - College Park, MD

  • 3/31/2017 - Matapeake Middle School - Stevensville, MD

  • 4/7/2017 - Theodore Davis Middle School - Waldorf, MD

  • 4/21/2017 & 4/22/2017 - Gymkana Home Show

  • 4/29/2017 - Maryland Day - College Park, MD