WALKING THROUGH the double doors, a medley of grunts, thuds, and sneakers squeaking against polished floors fills the air. Bodies blur across the spring floor, twisting, leaping, and defying gravity. A young girl, eyes narrowed in focus, launches herself skyward in a breathtaking high jump. Nearby, another girl prepares for her next set of movements. Her muscles ripple with exertion as she executes a series of flawless round-offs. Brows collect beads of sweat, and determination shines in every eye. Stretching mats in the middle of the gym hold a tableau of contortion. Backs bend like willow branches as coaches and childhood friends Stacey Cravens and Lee Rogers give instructions and encouragement in equal measure.
Tennessee Gymnastics & Cheerleading provides a sanctuary for athleticism and mentorship in Tullahoma. Cravens and Rogers founded the business over two decades ago, inspiring local youth to pursue their dreams — both academically and physically.
Cravens, a proud native of Coffee County, attended the University of Tennessee (UT) from 1989 to 1993 on a cheerleading scholarship.
“I always knew I wanted to be a part of the UT squad,” she reminisced. “It was my dream, and I pursued it with everything I had.”
Little did she know that fate would bring her lifelong friend, Rogers, into her path during those years. Their journey began at the gym, where they met while trying out for the cheerleading squad. “We were fortunate enough to become really good friends and cheered together,” Cravens recalled.
After college, Cravens competed in Fitness America competitions in 1998, eventually earning the title “ESPN Ms. Fitness America” in 2001. During this time, she also ventured through entrepreneurship, eventually returning to her roots in Coffee County to open one cheerleading and gymnastics business in Tullahoma and another in Manchester.
Rogers began her career after college at a geological engineering company in Oak Ridge while coaching the Lady Vols cheerleading team. Realizing her passion lay in cheerleading and gymnastics, she reunited with Cravens and relocated to Coffee County to help her manage her businesses.
“We had more than enough students and decided to join forces to make it an extremely successful business,” Cravens explained.
As experienced coaches, they help their students build confidence and focus through cheer and tumbling.
“We’re positive, encouraging role models,” Rogers said. “We want them to know they can achieve anything. We are going to protect their skills and help them to be the best they can be.”
Giving back to the community is at the center of everything the coaches do. Their passion for helping young athletes is evident in every aspect of their work. As a vital part of the community, they work closely with local cheerleading squads and offer clinics to prepare athletes for trials.
The duo has helped talented young women all over Middle Tennessee secure scholarships nationwide. Students have gone on to cheer at Freed-Hardeman University, UT Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State University, University of the South, and the University of Alabama Tuscaloosa — among many others. One of their talented students even cheered at Vanderbilt University.
Another student’s remarkable talent and dedication to cheerleading were recognizable at a young age. Despite financial constraints, her mother ensured her participation in extracurricular activities. The coaches provided additional training sessions free of charge, allowing her to develop her skills further. This support led her to cheer at Tennessee Tech University, and now she is in her third year studying chemical engineering.
These testimonials drive the coaches to continue their mission of guiding young athletes toward their goals, even during challenging moments.
“When I come home from teaching for hours, sometimes I’m very exhausted. There can be a lot of challenges. But when I come home at the end of the day, if I have impacted a child in a positive way, it makes it all worthwhile,” Rogers explained.
Cravens and Rogers are dedicated to helping their students become stronger, more flexible, and more coordinated. They enthusiastically support young cheerleaders and gymnasts as they step up to more competitive levels. They are equally passionate about assisting athletes in other sports like soccer, volleyball, softball, or basketball.
The expert coaches cherish the special moments when their students continue to cheer in college, walk across the stage at graduation, and share their wedding invitations. The connection remains strong as they keep in touch with their students, supporting them through all stages of life.
Cravens and Rogers are determined to continue empowering young athletes around Tennessee with no signs of slowing down.
“We’re not planning on retiring anytime soon,” Cravens playfully explains. “We’re just getting started.”
In the end, all that matters is that the youth they interact with reach their full potential.
“The most important thing is that they grow up to be the best version of themselves that they can possibly be and to have the confidence to do so.” GN
