PROVO, Utah – Gymnastics head coach Guard Young today announced the addition of former BYU gymnast Warde Allan as the team’s new volunteer coach.
Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Allan competed in the junior national program and attended the National Sports School in Canada in order to train in the Olympic Development Program. In 1996, he made the move to Provo, Utah, where he signed with the BYU men’s gymnastics team.
Allan and Young started together as freshmen at BYU and were both members of the team from 1996-2000.
“We showed up and had our whole experience at BYU at the same time and we were roommates for part of the time,” Allan said.
During this time as a Cougar, Allan contributed to several top-5 finishes at the NCAA National Championships. After graduating, he continued his education at BYU by attending law school.
Later, Allan married current BYU cheer head coach, Jocelyn Allan. After practicing corporate law for over a decade, the couple decided to open up their own gym in Draper, TumbleTek, that specialized in tumbling. Within a year of opening, Allan decided to leave law.
“She got this idea and I helped her get it going, but it just got busier and busier,” Allan said. “So, I left my law firm about a year after we opened the gym. It was definitely a lot more fun than practicing law.”
On top of owning TumbleTek, Allan accepted a position last year at BYU as an instructor for SWELL 136. This gymnastics class for beginners is held in the gym, leading Young and Allan to reconnect.
“I threw out the idea, “Why don’t you come and be my volunteer for the year?’” Young said. “He’s been awesome and it’s fun to reminisce.”
Coaching collegiate gymnastics provides a different experience for Allan, who is used to coaching tumbling technique to a variety of skill levels.
“They’re a higher level than I'm used to,” Allan said. “I feel like I’m able to understand them as a person and help them progress with their skills, not just in a technical way, but with their confidence.”