2 • DECEMBER 2017
NEWS
The Park Bench
Coach with Character – Burgess has impact in gymnastics and beyond
By Craig Howard Current Editor Just as gymnastics has its allaround competition featuring a variety of challenging events, Nadine Burgess has challenged herself in numerous areas, excelling in all and helping others achieve their own respective success. A native of Grants Pass, Oregon, Burgess grew up tumbling and leaping. As a kid, she followed the 1992 Summer Olympics featuring Team USA standout Shannon Miller and other American gymnasts and saw what gymnastics could be at a world-class level. Despite no formal training, she became adept at the sport and later became a youth coach. Years after the Olympics, Burgess would meet Miller and, in her words, become an outright “fan girl.” Nadine and her husband moved from Oregon to the Spokane area in 2006. Not long after, she started as a coach at Spokane Elite Gymnastics. By July 2010, she purchased the business, branding it as Spokane Gymnastics to emphasize her mission of an accessible and positive approach that “develops strength, skill and character through gymnastics training.” In September of 2013, Burgess expanded the venture into a 30,000-square-foot building in Spokane Valley near the Yoke’s market off Argonne Road. The efforts of Burgess and her colleagues have led to Spokane Gymnastics having among the top 3 percent in enrollment of all similar schools in the nation. Burgess is quick to give credit to her team at Spokane Gymnastics for the success, much like the individual/team format of the sport itself. In June, the company earned “Medium Business of the Year” from Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) at the annual Agora Awards. The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce selected Spokane Gymnastics for a similar honor in
Nadine Burgess is the owner of Spokane Gymnastics in Spokane Valley which was selected as the “Medium Business of the Year” at the Agora Awards hosted by Greater Spokane Incorporated this June. A native of Oregon, Burgess has called the Inland Northwest home since 2006. Contributed photo 2016. Along with leading the charge that has resulted in Spokane Gymnastics hosting national championship events, Burgess has traveled to the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for training as a coach. She makes it clear, however, that the primary purpose of her school is not to raise the next Olympic champion. Burgess is about the athlete as an entire person, using gymnastics as a springboard to achieve potential and overall well-being. Burgess is accomplished beyond gymnastics as well. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and served as a City Council representative in Joseph, Oregon for over two years. She has volunteered with the American Red Cross and Wallowa County (Oregon) Search and Rescue and completed a six-month training in the EMT-B program. Since migrating to the Spokane area, Burgess has plunged into a variety of nonprofit causes, including Rotary 21 and Embrace Washington, a cause founded by former legislator Kevin Parker to provide support and care for foster children and families. She is also a board member with GSI and Children FIRST, a pre-school program for kids with special needs. This March, Burgess was named by Spokane/CDA Living magazine as one of the leading “Women in Business Leadership” for 2017. The Current caught up with Burgess recently to talk about gymnastics, keys to becoming a successful entrepreneur and life in the Inland
Northwest. Q: Gymnastics have been part of your life for a long time. In what ways do you think the sport teaches life skills that go beyond the mat? A: I love gymnastics! Besides it providing a solid foundation for fitness, gymnasts build strength and agility and enjoy better coordination and improved flexibility. Gymnastics can be a perfect solution for athletes of all abilities to develop their character. It is a sport where the elements are taught in a logical progression. To be successful, athletes must learn to listen and follow directions, make corrections and work hard for achievable objectives. It requires patience, discipline, commitment and perseverance. Gymnastics provides the opportunity for athletes to learn the importance of focus, teamwork and sportsmanship. Q: You are known as a business owner that has grown Spokane Gymnastics into an extremely successful venture. What have been some of the keys to your success? A: It's definitely our people. I am fortunate to be part of a team that is the best in our industry with teaching the sport of gymnastics, but just as importantly, our coaches have the patience and character to teach in a way that is positive and productive. We are extremely serious about the safety, quality and progressions within our program, but once those objectives are met, we exist to have and create fun! We strive for a culture where our students understand
The Current
they are valued no matter their ability, goal or achievements within gymnastics. We believe that learning is best accomplished in a fun and encouraging environment. Plus, if we can be entertaining to the parents, an additional role-model or positive factor in their children's lives, that is a bonus. I am constantly amazed and appreciative of the support we have received from our community! To have people trust us with their kiddos is a tremendous honor that we don't take lightly. The biggest factor to our success is our coaches. Supporting our team, both with professional and personal development is our top priority since they are the ones who take care of our students. Our instructors must be actively engaged, well-trained, and also provide additional responsibly and opportunity. Often Millennials are associated with negative stereotypes, but we have been blessed to have attracted the brightest and best. Q: Speaking of business, how have you enjoyed being part of the Greater Spokane Incorporated (GSI) Board of Directors? What have you been able to bring to GSI? What have you learned? A: I am motivated by challenge, being able to contribute, and learning, therefore being connected with Greater Spokane Incorporated has been a great fit for me personally. I have appreciated the opportunity be part of something greater than my own personal or professional goals. It has been impressive to witness so many local leaders and organizations working together to improve our community. One example is the collaboration with the West Plains Chamber and Greater Spokane Valley Chamber on various projects, including the Olympia and D.C. flyIn trips. Since the opportunities are available to all members of GSI, not just board members, for several years now, I have been able to join the delegation of business, education and community leaders to advocate on behalf of our region. Finally, an initiative that I believe will have vital long-term impact is “Greater Minds” and GSI has a dedicated team to help working adults on the path to finish their degree or certificate. The goal is to increase the proportion of residents in Spokane County with high-quality degrees or certificates from 40 percent to 60 percent by 2025. Besides benefiting the quality of life for those community members and their families, this will also improve the talent pipeline for existing local businesses, as well as companies considering operations in the Spokane area. Q: Youth sports provide many opportunities for learning, exercise, and teamwork. Yet we
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