Rod Rogers
Rod Rogers started St. Louis Spirits Gymnastics Club in 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southwest Missouri State University and a Master in Education from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Rod taught physical education at a local elementary school for eight years before opening the gym.

Two gymnasts have made it to the Elite National Level and three gymnasts have made it to the Elite Regional Level under Rod's guidance. He also has had a Class I National Vault Champion. Furthermore, Rod and his coaching staff have produced numerous state and regional champions.

Rod has served on the Missouri State Board of USA Gymnastics (USAG) for three terms. Missouri is one of seven states that makes up Region IV of USAG. He was appointed to the Regional Board for part of a term, then was elected to serve as Region IV Elite Development Director for the subsequent term. In various venues, Rod has hosted or co-hosted AAU National Championships, an Elite Zone Meet and Region IV Championships.

Professional development is key to Rod's success. He continues to seek out knowledge about the sport of gymnastics. Rod personally has attended and taken gymnasts and/or coaches to clinics taught by professionals such as Bill Sands (when Mr. Sands was just beginning to earn a reputation for being on the cutting edge of gymnastics research and development), Bela Karoyli, Gary Goodson, Jerry George, John Tobler and Al Fong. In the summer of 2001, Rod brought guest speaker, Mark Gibson to the gym. Mark wrote an inspirational book for gymnasts, which Rod coordinated into the team curriculum for the summer.

In addition to gymnastics, Rod's passions and pastimes include water skiing, weight lifting, golfing and reading.

Other Staff Members Include: