SSHoF logoMarian Gymnastics Club

Organization (2016)

Gymnastics

Marian Gymnastics ClubThe Marian Gymnastics Club was founded, over 50 years ago by Chuck Sebestyen . Chuck, along with his wife Marie, and daughters Glenna and Patti, were the foundation of the gym club for decades.

Chuck was a coach, judge and builder of gymnastics in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Canada. Chuck has been honored for his many achievements, including being inducted into Saskatoon and Saskatchewan Sports Halls of Fame. Chuck also received a Life Time Achievement award from the Canadian Gymnastics. Chuck's legacy includes coaching athletes at two Pan American Games, and the 1964 Olympic Games, where Gail Daley was the first Canadian to achieve a mark of over 9.00. Gail won 4 National Championships.

Glenna's athletic career included four national championship titles and helping the Canadian women's team to a silver medal at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg. Patti won 2 National Championships.

Chuck eventually passed on the reigns to his two daughters, Glenna and Patti, who took over the coaching duties at Marian until 1988. Patti and Glenna consistently coached top athletes in Saskatchewan at the national level. Both Patti and Glenna have been inducted into the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame and Glenna into the Saskatchewan Hall of Fame as well.

Marian had successful gymnastics programs for both female and male gymnasts, until 1979, when the boys' program moved to the Taiso Gymnastics Club.

In 1980, Marian moved to its own permanent facility. An expansion in 1995 doubled the space, and then a further expansion in 2015 tripled the space.

In 1988, Dana Brass took over the head coaching duties, and after her departure in 2000, Chris Baraniuk followed in her footsteps.

Both Dana and Chris have been recognized by the provincial and national gymnastics federations for their assistance and coaching achievements.

From the start of the club, Marian has produced high performance athletes, national team members, and many Canadian Championships medalists in individual and all around. Marian athletes represented Canada at many international competitions, including the Olympics, Junior Pan American Championships, Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships and the Cup of the Americas.

In over the 50 years of its existence, the Marian Gymnastics Club has a lasting legacy. This legacy has been built on the immense work of countless athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers and builders.