InTucker Magazine

Business of the Month – Atlanta School of Gymnastics

Tumbling, cartwheels and front rolls are childhood milestones that are imperative to the development of human brains. As parents do their best to provide environments with healthy yet safe options, most look to outside help to aid in the growth and development of their children. A common and smart option is gymnastics. Here in Tucker, the logical choice is the Atlanta School of Gymnastics.

The Atlanta School of Gymnastics was started in 1976 by Tom and Bunny Cook. As the first gymnastics facility in the state of Georgia, ASG has trained countless standout gymnasts and has served as a resource in the Tucker community and to those near and far.

“It is about community,” ASG owner Stacy Cook said. “Community building and team building is what we do. We teach kids good values to become good role models and teach them to be good students/athletes.”

One prominent figure that came out of ASG is USA Olympian Kathy Johnson. Johnson was trained by Tom at ASG. It is where she developed her skills to be on the 1980 and 1984 USA Olympic teams. She became a two-time Olympic medalist, winning silver and bronze in the 1984 Olympics. Kristie Phillips is also on the Wall of Fame at ASG. Philips served as an alternate for Team USA in the 1988 Games. Philips earned several medals competing in the Pan American Games.

Tom passed away in 2009 leaving his wife Stacy to run the facility. Shortly before his passing, Tom was inducted to the Region VII Gymnastics Hall of Fame. The work he started at ASG continues in the coaches and staff that share his passion for molding gymnasts to be competitors both on and off the mat.

The Atlanta School of Gymnastics has positively impacted many people, including one of their students turned coach. Christopher Taylor trained at ASG and moved on to the University of Iowa Gymnastics team as a walk-on. After working as an engineer, Taylor came home to ASG. He and the rest of the staff care about their athletes, and it shows when they interact with them.

“I do know for sure our coaching staff is very big with connecting with our kids,” Taylor said. “We love the gymnastics but we also love the connection part.”

Ginger Parauka is one of the coaches at ASG who brings 17 years of experience to ASG. Parauka loves the joy that coaching gymnastics brings to her.

“When a kid is struggling and they fi nally hit that skill and they are jumping up and down and the whole team swarms them there is so much energy,” Parauka said. “There are so many great moments.”

Owner Stacy has experienced special moments throughout her years at the school, as well. One of her fondest memories is with her sister. With an 18 year difference in their ages, Stacy started to go to ASG to support her and watched her grow her talent to the collegiate level, winning a seat on the gymnastics team at the Air Force Academy.

“It was a dream to see my sister thrive like that and see all of the girls that got scholarships,” Stacy said.

The Atlanta School of Gymnastics is located at 3345 Montreal Station, Tucker, GA 30084 and can be found online at atlantaschoolofgymnastics.net