Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
One of the many traditions at Springfield College returned to campus this past weekend.
On Saturday, Sept. 30, the bleachers in Blake Arena quickly began reaching their maximum capacity as the clock neared 6:30 p.m. The stage was set for the 113th Annual Gymnastics Exhibition Show – also known as Homeshow.
A wave of anticipation flooded students, relatives, alums, faculty and staff as everyone eagerly waited for the show to start.
Homeshow is where gymnasts fascinate the audience with engaging stories and narratives while flying through the air and demonstrating their skills.
According to junior Delaney LaViolette, Homeshow is vital to Springfield College’s culture.
“I’ve been watching Homeshow since I was really little,” LaViolette said. “My coaches went here and they got to be in it, so now that I’m older, I think it’s cool that I get to have a part in it.”
Before the start of the show, gymnast Aaron Kust began singing “Hotel California.” The reason for singing this particular song was that every year’s event has a new theme corresponding with it. The theme for this year was titled “Let It Rock.”
As showtime approached, many of the gymnasts began rehearsing their moves behind the curtains, patiently waiting for the floor to be theirs.
The lights in Blake Arena began to dim, and the crowd started chanting, “Go SC, Go SC, Go SC!”
Before long, the gymnasts came flying from behind the curtains and onto the floor, showcasing their skills. There was action in every corner of the gym, making it hard to decide where to look at certain times.
In the midst of the show, a prison guard and two runaways appeared in a skit. The song “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley began to play as the runaways twisted and flipped on the parallel bars. While they were busy demonstrating their skills, the cop shined his flashlight into the stands in search of his escapees.
The Springfield College Pride dance and cheer team – a new addition to the show this year – also added an impressive routine. The song “TNT” by AC/DC was a big bang when the team began lifting one another up in a line of three with the letters T-N-T.
Senior Tien Nguyen found himself back in Blake Arena for a third year to watch Homeshow.
“My favorite skit was the silk acrobatic because it was something new and exciting that had never been done before,” Nguyen said. “The performance showcased elegance and beauty.”
In addition to the show, there were some honorable mentions throughout the night.
This was a first for Springfield’s newest women’s gymnastics head coach, Diana Gallagher.
“I have to give Coach [Matthew] Davis a lot of the credit because he really engineered all of this behind the scenes,” Gallagher said. “It’s been a lot easier for me to come in and start to transition and understand what Homeshow is about and what kind of tradition it is for Springfield College.”
On the floor, Gallagher began announcing a special celebration for the evening. Coach Frank Wolcott, class of ’52, was celebrating his 95th birthday that day. Wolcott, a former Springfield College captain, returned to Alden Street, where he coached for 26 years. Five New England Championships, two Eastern League Championships and 11 top-four finishes in the NCAA were all achieved by Wolcott’s teams. To top off the night, he received the Humanics Achievement Award from President Mary-Beth Cooper.
In the 2023 season, the Springfield men’s and women’s gymnastics teams won four national championships, which was a noteworthy achievement. Toward the middle of the show, there was a ceremony for those gymnasts. Devon Rosier, Christina Wygonik, David Handron and Jakarie Williams were all presented with a special ring in honor of their special accomplishments.
Every year, the Homeshow concludes with honoring long-time gymnastics head coach Leslie J. Judd and her objectives. The athletes built a variety of visuals, symbolizing the various missions Judd attempted to complete.
The men’s and women’s gymnastics teams are set to start competing in January 2024.
Junior Ayako Maeda believes that Homeshow helps gymnasts prepare for the upcoming season.
“It’s a good chance for us to be in the gym and be able to practice,” says Maeda. “It’s also gradually getting us ready to get our skills back and be able to acclimate to the new team.”
Photo courtesy of Braedan Shea/Student