By Will Menser, Contributing Writer
Every semester at Asbury brings the start of many programs, both athletic and academic. Despite what may change, one thing that has been a constant: Jym Jam. The 84-year tradition at Asbury that spawned the tumbling team in 1965 took place April 5 and 6 and continued the amazing legacy of this program.
The event showcased acrobatic skills, floor tumbling, trampolines and a ring of fire, which has been a major part of the show for several years. Students train for months for the biggest stage in front of their fellow students, alumni and people from the Wilmore community. It has truly become a historic event not only for Asbury but for the city as well.
Senior Jacob Herm described the preparation that goes into creating the show each year, saying, “We spend most of fall semester practicing twice a week, learning new skills and working to perfect skills we already have. During spring semester, we really start to work out how the show is going to go with the leadership team and coaches writing it, and practice three times a week to get running well. … After Spring Break Tour, we spend the time leading up to Jym Jam [rehearsing] our ‘Human Video’ and ‘Bleacher Diving’ sections.”
While this singular event is a major tradition, it is not the only reason why these students train. The tumbling team was created so that its members could take this event on the road and spread the gospel through their dedication and talent, which it did recently over spring break.
In the past, students have put so much into the show that they have suffered injuries and taken painful falls just so that the show is great and impactful every year. This kind of dedication represents what the tumbling team is all about: training hard to glorify God and getting back up even when it hurts.
Jym Jam is an event where all of Asbury can unite to celebrate a tradition — a tradition that has left lasting marks on the many students who have passed through Asbury and on the team itself. Shows at the NAIA National Basketball Tournament and even the Pentagon reflect the breadth of the program and its potential for growth in the future.
This year, as it has every year, the tumbling team helped students worship God and realize the true potential for greatness in themselves.