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Daile Van Patten, Owner and Head Coach
Daile Van Patten is the owner of Southern Tier Gymnastics Academy in the Endwell, NY area. Daile has earned both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree from Kent State University, where he helped coach the women's gymnastics team for one year as a graduate assistant. He gained competitive insight and sport psychology from his years of playing soccer and becoming a 4 time ALL-MAC soccer player. He worked for 8 years as a Physical Education teacher in the Johnson City School district during which time he started the J-Cats Acro Team. Eventually, he turned his love of coaching gymnastics into a full time job when he opened STGA in 1979.
Over the last 30 years, Daile has coached numerous gymnasts at STGA to the top levels in both the J.O. and FIG programs including two J.O International Elites who qualified to the U.S. Championships, several National TOPS qualifiers, a TOPS National Team member, and many athletes who have went on to very successful collegiate gymnastics careers at Division I, II, and III schools. He has taken his club team to Sweden and France (on several occasions) for club competitions. He also acted as the TOPS Director for U.S. Gymnastics from 2003-2005 and has been recruited to share his expertise with others as a presenter at various gymnastics clinics at both the regional and national level. Daile works predominately with the Level 10s and Elites, but also helps out with the up-and-coming youngest team athletes in levels 3 and 4 and occasionally teaches tot classes.
Daile enjoys traveling in Europe, golfing, fishing and cruising on the St. Lawrence River in his boat with his wife Linda and 8 year old son Chad.
Al Drozdowski, Program Director and Team Coach
Al Drozdowski has been a full time Women’s Junior Olympic Coach for thirteen years. Growing up in New Jersey he found his true home on the West side of Binghamton where he now lives with his wife Julie and 3 year old daughter Alexis, an Olympian in training. As a former 4 time state champion himself and placing a respectable sixth place nationally as a level 10 trampolinist, he knows how to reach the top. Over the years he has attended regional and national training seminars and has studied from the best that gymnastics has to offer. Presently he is the Program Director for Southern Tier Gymnastics Academy, where he teaches the levels 3-9 teams, all-ability and tots classes.
Mike Morse, Rec and Team Coach
Mike Morse joined the STGA coaching staff two years ago when he transferred to Binghamton University from the University from Minnesota. As a gymnast himself, Mike has extensive knowledge and experience with gymnastics. Mike began his gymnastics career at Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center and went on to do collegiate gymnastics while at the University of Minnesota. Mike has been lending his gymnastics expertise to assist in coaching the upper level team athletes. Additionally, he runs the boys recreational classes and also helps coach some of the girls recreational classes. Mike also enjoys keeping in shape and still doing gymnastics, so don’t be surprised if you see him flipping around the gym!
Savannah Filbin, Rec and Team Coach
A former STGA Level 10 gymnast, Savannah Filbin has been coaching for STGA during the summers and college breaks for the past five years as she worked towards her Bachelors Degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion and Program Planning from Buffalo State University. In high school, in addition to gymnastics, Savannah was also a talented soccer player and continued to play at the collegiate level. While attending Buffalo State, Savannah also continued to fulfill her love of gymnastics by working as a gymnastics coach at Buffalo Gymnastics Center. Having finished her undergraduate degree and returned to the Greater Binghamton area, Savannah is excited to be joining the STGA coaching staff on a full time basis this fall where she will be coaching the younger team athletes and running girls recreational classes. Savannah enjoys working out with her fiancé Greg and lending a helping hand around the house and with her family’s business.
Jennifer Hoyt, Rec and Team Coach
Jennifer Hoyt competed in gymnastics for 10 years. She started her gymnastics career out at STGA before moving on to compete as an optional gymnast with Aero Gymnastics in Vestal. Jennifer graduated from Windsor High School in 2009. She is going into her 7th year coaching gymnastics and 2nd year as a coach at STGA. She works primarily with the girls recreational classes and lower level team athletes. Prior to coming to STGA, Jennifer spent 5 years as a coach at Technique’s Gymnastics. Jennifer is a sophomore cheerleader at Broome Community College where she is a criminal justice-law enforcement major. She is also currently an intern with the Broome County Sheriff’s Department and Correctional Facility and also with the Binghamton City Police Department.
Alexis Bartholomew, Rec and Team Coach
As a former Level 9 gymnast at STGA herself, Alexis Bartholomew is no stranger to the world of gymnastics. She is also an accomplished pole vaulter for the Binghamton School District and earned third place at this year's state track and field competition. Alexis enjoys working with kids and is a coach primarily for the girls recreational classes but has also been known to help out with the lower level team athletes.
Katrin Opitz, Tots and Rec Coach
Katrin Opitz has been working at STGA as a Tots and Girls Rec Coach since the fall of 2009. Growing up in Germany, she did recreational gymnastics and competed in regional competitions. Katrin is currently a Junior at Binghamton University studying Computer Engineering and hopes to advance to graduate work after completing her Bachelor’s of Science. In her free time, Katrin enjoys sports, movies and time with her Fiance Christopher.
Ashlie Corbett, Tots Coach
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Ashlie Corbett joined the STGA staff this spring and works with our tots program. She also often works birthday parties. More about Ashlie coming soon!
Rachel Mauger, Administrative Assistant
A former STGA gymnast and coach, Rachel Mauger now works behind the scenes at STGA assisting with paperwork, planning special events, and maintaining the business website. Like owner Daile Van Patten, Rachel also attended Kent State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education while on a full academic scholarship. She also went on to earn her Master of Education degree in Elementary Math, Science, and Technology while simultaneously coaching for X-cel Gymnastics in Cranberry Twp, PA. After finishing her degrees, Rachel was a classroom teacher in both Kindergarten and First Grade in the Greater Philadelphia Area, but never lost her love of and passion for gymnastics; hence, upon returning to the Greater Binghamton Area two years ago, she was excited to rejoin the STGA staff as an Administrative Assistant.
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