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TRANSFORMATION AWAITS
![C.JPEG](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_48880745c81b4bbfb19d4081534d8eb6~mv2.jpeg/v1/crop/x_0,y_312,w_1728,h_1665/fill/w_814,h_784,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/C_JPEG.jpeg)
THE COACHES
![DSC_0568.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_16ce04e3b95f4b9fa54d102cb2ab8ea5~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_81,y_219,w_1125,h_1124/fill/w_77,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/DSC_0568.jpg)
JESSE KITZEN-ABELSON
Head Coach
Former Temple gymnast, Jesse Kitzen-Abelson, is in his seventh year as the head coach for Temple. The Temple University Men's Gymnastics program has made a significant impact on Jesse's life, which is why he is dedicated to rebuilding the program. He wants to continue to provide opportunities for young men to work hard and flourish while continuing their gymnastics careers at a high level. As a team member, he was elected co-captain twice, was an NCAA semi-finalist on the pommel horse and earned First Team All-America Scholar-Athlete status from 2008-2011. From 2011-2016, Jesse coached high-performance gymnastics in South Africa and was able to represent the country on the world stage multiple times while doing so. He was recently the head coach for Team USA at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
![Mensteam2023(3of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_60469880b9544df991ed4d4594599a99~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_860,y_0,w_2741,h_2742/fill/w_77,h_77,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(3of50).jpg)
FRED TUROFF
Assistant Coach
USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer, Fred Turoff has been at the helm of the program for over 40 years, and produced 18 conference title teams. After the team was cut from the athletic department in 2014, Fred acted admirably by continuing to coach the team, purely as a volunteer and created an endowment to help fund the men. This caring action is something very few in the history of the NCAA have undergone. Fred was a Temple gymnast from 1966-1969, where he became a conference champion on the high bar and all-around. He competed in multiple prestigious events such as the Maccabiah Games and World Championships. Fred is highly committed to growing gymnastics in Philadelphia and is still happily involved with the men's team.
![Mensteam2023(44of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_5372866c6566450d98489a64f88bd1cc~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_429,y_0,w_1957,h_1963/fill/w_54,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(44of50).jpg)
Alex Skalkos
Senior
Co-captain and President
Real Estate
Swampscott, MA
![Mensteam2023(48of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_da98541e6ce64bc3a27a46725f9651a6~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_610,y_10,w_2041,h_2111/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(48of50).jpg)
Zac Raymond
Senior
Co-captain and VP
Pre-med and minoring in Chemistry
Greensboro, NC
![DSC_0558.jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_4b7a813c7aca4582a0db9343fe35b7ab~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_123,y_88,w_1088,h_1092/fill/w_54,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/DSC_0558.jpg)
Blake Hazell
Senior
Secondary Education
Ashburn, VA
![Mensteam2023(42of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_bc3661d956a141dea72560d3068d3bac~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_625,y_52,w_1804,h_1865/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(42of50).jpg)
Brandon Baskin
Senior
Human Resource Management, minoring in Management Information Systems
Springdale, MD
![Mensteam2023(46of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_125ef10a2cac40bdbf4f76f10e2c26b6~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_490,y_73,w_1716,h_1727/fill/w_54,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(46of50).jpg)
Stephen Rathbone
Senior
Civil Engineering
Montpelier, VA
![Mensteam2023(40of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_5f33ab98ce89448f9edfa8b33e83dbc2~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_621,y_92,w_1812,h_1873/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(40of50).jpg)
Max Pazera
Junior
Business Management
West Hampton Beach, NY
![Mensteam2023(33of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_db2075c1a32e46f2a4cdd3a859ac0c5b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_538,y_0,w_2048,h_2114/fill/w_53,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(33of50).jpg)
Ben Hjort
Sophomore
Health Professions
Plainville, MA
![Mensteam2023(38of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_e2f67eca6b6f41ce98927a923b661692~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_731,y_0,w_1806,h_1868/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(38of50).jpg)
Jason Wenzel
Sophomore
Engineering Technology
Woodlyn, PA
![Mensteam2023(32of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_688a1542357a4a87884bca5108ed4259~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_646,y_31,w_1667,h_1674/fill/w_54,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(32of50).jpg)
Nate Davies
Sophomore
Undecided
Marlboro, MD
![Mensteam2023(35of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_670f63d50d8d42a495f115b3f0d671c4~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_643,y_0,w_1633,h_1690/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(35of50).jpg)
Thomas Taaffe
Sophomore
Engineering
Bethpage, NY
![Mensteam2023(28of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_201a1940268c47ec934d7a8f79617eb0~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_822,y_18,w_1806,h_1867/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(28of50).jpg)
Aidan Whittier
Freshman
Exercise and Sport Science
Amesbury, MA
![Mensteam2023(13of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_67bd7a0fd854442fb38766a312d9083b~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_1020,y_0,w_1588,h_1642/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(13of50).jpg)
Austin Geibel
Freshman
Graphic Design
Garnet Valley, PA
![Mensteam2023(24of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_7923e5ce947149f8ae2cb082d28d3f96~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_697,y_0,w_1693,h_1751/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(24of50).jpg)
Diego Rodriguez
Freshman
Health Professions
North Wales, PA
![Mensteam2023(30of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_d1cce77f80524faa8a56b98f02e2d191~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_837,y_0,w_1748,h_1806/fill/w_53,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(30of50).jpg)
Evan Zakrewski
Freshman
Sports Statistics and Analytics
Pelham, NH
![Mensteam2023(19of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_f904230ce33f4b1489f5fb52e97e9c8e~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_809,y_64,w_1669,h_1725/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(19of50).jpg)
Isaac Reisbord
Freshman
Undecided
West Chester, PA
![Mensteam2023(9of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_8b867ea2a9d446a8ba151fcf0f8f1793~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_749,y_0,w_1959,h_2022/fill/w_53,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(9of50).jpg)
Josiah Abram
Freshman
Psychology
Everett, WA
![Mensteam2023(20of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_2a613cde7f2d4dcf9e54313c289950ca~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_803,y_47,w_1658,h_1714/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(20of50).jpg)
Nabil Pardhan
Freshman
Exercise Science, minoring in Criminal Justice and International Law
Ottawa, CAN
![Mensteam2023(16of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_c2477d1fd13d4e7a8f812097ccd2051f~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_740,y_0,w_1567,h_1618/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(16of50).jpg)
Owen Kams
Freshman
Exercise Science
Kenosha, WI
![Mensteam2023(11of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_fdaf47013750423c951dd0a64840ee51~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_774,y_0,w_1678,h_1735/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(11of50).jpg)
Scott Faust
Freshman
Physical Therapy
Ocean, NJ
![Mensteam2023(26of50).jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_fd9581324ab645ed87fb88bff1b4e590~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_863,y_12,w_1606,h_1660/fill/w_52,h_54,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/Mensteam2023(26of50).jpg)
Zach Roffman
Freshman
Undecided
Chalfont, PA
ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
![Taylor.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_9c4f1287b7cc46128671cdaaa7afe960~mv2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_0,w_1058,h_315/fill/w_47,h_14,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/564b8f_9c4f1287b7cc46128671cdaaa7afe960~mv2.png)
Dr. Taylor Brana
Being a part of this team gave me the necessary skills and support I needed to make it through the difficult marathon of medical study and now I am officially a physician. After balancing morning workouts, with classes, evening training, and social life, I learned all of the necessary skills needed to be an effective and balanced student. I learned how to work on a team, I learned how to work hard, study efficiently, relax in times of stress, how to be a leader, a follower, and a friend. I’m not saying this experience made me perfect, but I am saying that if it weren’t for TUMG I don’t think I would have been able to become a doctor. I have only love for Temple University Mens Gymnastics and whatever I can do to support this family, I will.
Who we be?! TUG.
![Untitled](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_41a3142ada8040b5b96ed0ec4cd5a959~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_129,h_42,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/564b8f_41a3142ada8040b5b96ed0ec4cd5a959~mv2.jpg)
Dominick Minicucci
Being part of the Temple gymnastics team was a remarkable period in my athletic career. In addition to the camaraderie I had with my teammates, Coach Fred was a key participant in a unique moment in my life because he was my coach at the 1992 Olympics Games. Happily, I have retained friendships with not only Fred but with my other team members. In fact, one of the team members introduced me to my wife.
The Temple program was fabulous and helped prepare me for life challenges both on a personal and career level. Please help keep the program going as it will continue to enhance the lives of so many
![woman 3](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/564b8f_36d5786733c94dbe8e9c11f44c4ab3f8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_141,h_41,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/564b8f_36d5786733c94dbe8e9c11f44c4ab3f8~mv2.jpg)
Patrick McLaughlin
Transformational. A word that defines my experience as a Temple gymnast. Temple men’s gymnastics team gave me more than I could ever realize as an athlete and more than I could ever give back. To say gymnastics defined most of us is an understatement. Twenty plus hours a week for the majority of our developmental years afforded the unique opportunity to become an expert at something. Always a believer in a track able process and driven by observing hard work pay off.
Prior to my experience at Temple it was all about personal achievement. Temple gymnastics transformed me into striving for something more. It taught me that in order to be fulfilled one must make sure they have others by their side. True accomplishment is made by a team of individuals - believing in a common vision, willing to sacrifice for each other and willing to do the things that the common man doesn’t. The team became the paramount accomplishment.
Gymnastics is important; however, TUMG provides much more than just gymnastics. The relationships speak for themselves. Several weddings a year, calls from brothers all across the globe with discussion on life’s hardships and ultimate celebrations. The perspectives, lessons and relationships have become some of my most prized possessions and I am forever grateful. Temple Men’s Gymnastics Transforms.