Parkettes National Gymnastics Training Center, widely known as Parkettes, is a gymnastics club located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It has produced several teams and individual gymnasts representing the United States, the Czech Republic, and Canada in international meets, including the Olympic Games.

History

20th century

Parkettes was founded by Bill Strauss and his wife, Donna Strauss. It started as a backyard after-school workout program at the Strauss home. It was later in a barn, school, and church basement as they got the program established. Former Mack Trucks CEO, Alfred Pelletier, helped the program move to a permanent home. The first Olympian produced by the club was Jody Yocum, who was named as an alternate for the 1976 Summer Olympics.

21st century

Media coverage

In 2003, CNN aired a documentary, Achieving the Perfect 10, which contained some criticisms of the demanding and competitive nature of Parkettes's training program. In 2008, Jennifer Sey, the 1986 National Champion from Parkettes, published a book, Chalked Up, which was critical of Parkettes and elite gymnastics.

Notable gymnasts & alumni

• Christina Desiderio • Margzetta Frazier • Emjae Frazier • Kristen Maloney • Vanessa Meloche • Elizabeth Price • Jennifer Sey • Hope Spivey • Kristal Uzelac

Notable coaches