After rolling into the Motor City Thursday evening, Oct. 23, the Andrews University Gymnics hit the court in The Palace for a pre-season Detroit Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks game half-time show.

The Gymnics team of 28 college students and one high school student had seven minutes to set-up their tumbling mats and perform a routine complete with tumbling, pyramids and basket tosses.

“It went by so quick,” said Jon Martin, junior business management major. “It was an experience I’d never had before.”

The team received an invitation to perform at a future game (date TBA). Coach Christian Lighthall says, “This opportunity showed the team they are good enough to make a national stage. Now that we have our foot in the door, it opens up the opportunity to perform at other national events.”

Lorren Hickman, a sophomore studying elementary education and speech-language pathology and audiology, says of the experience, “I realized how blessed we are to be able to represent Andrews University on such a high level. It was an amazing experience.”
Andrews University Gymnics is a 30-member team of sports acrobats. They practice two hours a night, four days a week. The Gymnics are known for their fantastic performances on the gymnastics mat and for their anti-drug assemblies and religious programming.
 
Hickman says, “Many people just think about gymnastics and that’s only a small percentage of what happens. We do a lot of witnessing through our attitudes and actions. We are a team united in Christ.”

-Written by Keri Suarez, media relations specialist, Office of Integrated Marketing & Communication