Longtime residents of Cortlandt Manor and
Yorktown, Vinny and Anita Savastano, started the
Gymnastics City Program in Cortlandt Manor
August of 1980.
Vinny, a graduate of NYU (
High School Boys Gymnastics
Team
and coached them for 14 years. He
was very successful; 5 times Gymnastics “Coach of the Year” and 10
prestigious
Con Edison Sports Award winners,
in addition
to many Sectional and State Champions. He
also started the Yorktown Men’s Gymnastics Invitational
Meet which became one
of the premier high
school gymnastic
events in the East.
Vinny also was a gymnastics judge and then
became certified as a Nationally rated Collegiate Judge. He judged many College
and University gymnastics competitions,
where he judged
champions such as Bart Conner and Kurt Thomas. He also had the
privilege of judging the Y.M.C.A. National Championships.
Anita also became involved in gymnastics at the recreational level, where she
grew up on
many
High School
competitions as a New York State High School Gymnastics Judge.
During the spring of 1980 the owner of Hudson Valley Gymnastics, located in
Buchanan, was moving to
see
if he was interested in buying his program.
This was a very big decision for Vinny since he would have to
leave “his kids” at the Yorktown
High School Team.
It would also be a lifestyle change for their family, as Vinny was working
a full time teaching and then also coaching at their
new
committed
to
bestow
the benefits
of gymnastics and
provide
a program to meet the needs of the recreational gymnasts as well as those
students who
wanted to move into the competitive
area. They
teach the young children how to
overcome obstacles; to "stick to it" and realize "you can do
it."
Children then understand
the benefits that hard work and effort that went
into learning a skill will
produce
success.
about 50 to up
over 300 gymnasts. About midway
through the year, they found out they did not have a lease on the building, and they
would have
to find another facility by the beginning
of the next
school year. The parents
were very supportive, some baked us a cake that said “We’ll follow you
wherever
you go”! That’s how
Peekskill
for
10 years! Then
when
that lease
ran out in 1995 it was another move to their permanent location on
202 in Cortlandt Manor, where they built
their
new 15,000 sq. ft “State of the Art” facility,
and have been there
for 24 years. Their daughter Elena joined the team
and added her expertise
and new blood with new ideas to improve on an already
great program.
It’s been a long journey over those years
for the Savastano’s. The best part
was getting to know many thousands of gymnasts and their families
that
grew up
in this area
and came
to
learn the basics and beyond of the wonderful sport of gymnastics,
which incorporates; strength flexibility,
speed, balance, coordination, power
and discipline. Whether the child is
involved in our Baby Stars 6-18 months, Gym Stars ages 3-5
or our
Recreational Gymnastics programs ages 5-18; or with on their competitive
Team,
they all benefit a child’s overall
development.
After a few
years their daughter Elena joined the staff and is now their Program Director,
as well as the Head Team Coach.
to the U.S.A.I.G.C.
(United States Association
of Gymnastics Clubs), and the I.A.I.G.C.
(International Association of Independent Gymnastic Clubs).
Elena,
Vinny and their most highly
qualified and dedicated staff have produced many
of
Gym
one of the most successful programs in the
This year,
the Gym City Teams had over 23 New York State Champions and 20 of them attended the U.S.A.I.G.C. Worlds competition in
Nashville
England
were ecstatic over
the performance of our gymnasts.
What a great experience for all the gymnasts
and coaches meeting people from all over
the
Through the
years our Gym City Staff has trained virtually thousands of youngsters to love
the sport of gymnastics and prepare for life. We
are a
family run business
celebrating
our 40th Anniversary,
and we continue to enjoy providing a friendly atmosphere,
service with a smile
and the spirit of challenging your child to gain his/or her
fullest potential.
It’s been a lot hard work, commitment, dedication, perserverance
and a true Labor of Love for this
family who love the sport of gymnastics and the wonderful
kids and
their
families
they have
known over the years. They
now have the children of some of the Mom’s they have taught through the years.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us over
the 40 Year's! It's been a pleasure
seeing our Gymnasts from little kids to
becoming
Doctor, Nurses, Teachers, Lawyers, Pilots, Engineers, Mothers and
More!!!
The Savastano’s have 7 grandchildren ages
11-22, Tiffany, Nicolette, Gianna, Nicholas, Dominic, Vinny III, and Christian.
They are fortunate
they all live nearby and get to see
each other as
their busy schedules permit!
The
Savastano’s want to thank the community for all their support through the 40
years!