Gimbel opens for local kids

Though it failed to attract the turnout organizers had hoped for, the Super Sports Saturday community event held at Gimbel Gymnasium this weekend proved to be a worthwhile and enjoyable morning for the Penn student volunteers and West Philadelphia students who attended. Nine children, ranging in age from six to 12, participated in fall athletic activities from 9 a.m. to noon yesterday. Among the events planned by members of Penn club sports teams were cycling, weightlifting, synchronized swimming and aerobics. Members of each of those club teams volunteered their time and service to supervise and teach the kids their sport, while fitness club directors and workers ensured a smoothly executed affair. "We're providing something for youth in the community that's sports-related and trying to create enthusiasm," Penn Recreation Director Mike Diorka said. To ensure this excitement upon the culmination of the day's activities, the children were given free tickets to a Penn fall sporting event. Brian Fledger, 10, said he enjoyed the day's events. "It's fun, exciting [and] a different experience." Although the organizers of Super Sports Saturday expected 150 children to attend the function, Diorka attributed the lack of attendance to the fact that it was the first time they held the event. Explaining that club teams will hold Super Sports Saturdays in the winter and spring as well, Diorka said flyers will be more widely distributed in the future. In combination with a wider range of sporting activities like volleyball, basketball, Tae Kwan Do, gymnastics and baseball, he said, the expanded marketing should improve the quantity and quality of the event. Both the organizers and volunteers have faith that it will expand as time progresses. Until then, Engineering senior and Penn Cycling Club members Michael Grubb said, "It's nice to see the kids and expose the kids to sports they may not [usually] see."