Fred Turoff
Program Director
Former head coach of men’s gymnastics at Temple University 1976-2017, now assistant coach at Temple; former NGJA and FIG judge; member of US National Team 1969 & 1970; inducted into USAG Hall of Fame in August, 2009.
Anthony McHugh
Coach of levels 3&4
Anthony McHugh started his athletic career as a springboard diver in Indianapolis, IN when he was 8 years old. He competed for 10 years and qualified for high school state championships his junior and senior years. While attending MIT, Anthony joined the club gymnastics team as his first introduction to the sport. He competed with MIT for 3 years and fell in love with the sport. Anthony continues to compete through the National Association for Intercollegiate Gymnastics Clubs (NAIGC) and also serves as a volunteer on their rules committee. In addition to coaching boy’s team, Anthony works as a structural engineer primarily on demolition projects in New York City.
Nia Allen
Instructor of girls and preschool
Nia is a graduate of Temple University, where she was a competing member of the Temple co-ed club team. In action prior to college, she was a level 10 gymnast who qualified for our level 10 Nationals. Nia works with our preschool program and our beginner girls.
Nyla Welsh
Instructor of beginner girls and preschool
Nyla completed her freshman year at Temple University where she studied criminal justice and dance. She is now at Circadium School of Contemporary Circus to pursue a diploma in circus arts. When she was younger she took dance and gymnastics, but quickly decided she wanted to focus on ballet and studied at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for 10 years. She also began training in aerial arts when she was in high school.
Josh Smith
Coach of levels 5 and up
Joshua Smith has been coaching gymnastics for the past 11 years. Living out his belief that gymnastics is for life, he hopes to compete in NAIGC and is currently cast in two musical productions where he tumbles and sings. Josh has had many of his gymnastic dreams come true such as coaching highbar with Jonathan Horton at the Starbound clinic in NJ. At Woodward, Josh learned from and worked with Slava Boiko who coached for Penn State and the Soviet Union’s National Team. Josh strives to continue giving young men with drive and daring– the knowledge to take State and Regional titles.
Alexis Barth
Instructor of beginner girls and preschool
Alexis is from Upstate New York. She started her gymnastics career when she was just 3 years old and has traveled all around the state to train at different gyms until the age of 18. At the age of 16 Alexis began coaching gymnastics. Alexis has experience teaching gymnastics to kids from the age of 3, to 16 years old. with a variety of different skill levels. Alexis is excited to be joining the PBG team!
Elliott Riedmiller
Instructor of beginner boys
Elliott is a level 9 gymnast on the PBG boys’ team. He competed in the Easter Nationals for us this past season.
Tahir Ingram
Coach of levels 1&2
Tahir has 10 years of coaching experience with Sayre Morris Gym Crew and was a competitor for 3 years with that team. He finds it rewarding to teach skills that transend the sport and “stick” for life.
Jesse Kitzen-Abelson
Coach levels 1,2,preteam and 5-9 in May-August
Jesse is the head coach of Temple University Men’s Gymnastics Team. He was an NCAA competitor in his college days, and qualified for the NCAA Championships. After graduating, he spent 5 year coaching in South Africa before returning the the US to enter the collegiate coaching ranks. He was assistant coach at Temple U for a year before taking over, while former coach Fred Turoff moved to assistant coach. Jesse also teaches at Circadium, a circus arts school in Philadelphia. Jesse coached the senior men at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel. He was named Coach of the Year in the GymACT conference this past season.