February 21, 1999
The continuing desire by Missouri Gymnastics Coach Jake Jacobson to bring even more of the nations elite gymnastics programs to Columbia resulted five years ago in the development of the Corvette Cub.
Now, the final home event of each season is rivaling its big sisters, the Cat Classic and the Shakespeares Festival, for a prime spot on the MU marquee. Missouri won the inaugural Corvette Cup in 1995 by narrowly defeating North Carolina State, 191.15-191.00. Rhode Island edged New Hampshire for third.
National power Alabama roared past the field in 1996 with a Cup-record score of 195.175. The Crimson Tide won every event, paced by all-around champion Marna Neubauer.
The battle for second place, though, was intense and Missouri prevailed over Illinois State and Bowling Green State.
In 1997, MU made a high octane run at the winners circle, but was edged by Minnesota, 193.775 to 192.925. Eastern Michigan and Iowa rounded out the standings.
Last year, Missouri battled Auburn down to the wire, but finished second by a 194.1-192.375 margin. Iowa and Eastern Michigan placed third and fourth. Auburns score was the second highest ever at the Corvette Cup.
This NCAA gymnastics competition is packaged with a Corvette display that includes Corvettes from 1953 to this years 1999 model. Nearly 250 cars, a record, were registered as of February 21.
"Like the engine of a Corvette, this concept cant miss," Jacobson once said. "Womens gymnastics combines artistic beauty with unchallenged athletic skill, and like a Corvette it is sleek, powerful, beautiful and stylish."
Jacobson has said it many times, "This sport is different than most other womens sports in that theyre not trying to do what the men do and consequently you dont make the male-female comparison where the male is definitely superior as far as jumping, strength, etc. So this sport has its own identity. And the Corvette only gives us more identity, which is why I call gymnastics the Corvette of womens sports."
In 1999, the "four on the floor," will be Iowa, Central Michigan, Texas Womans University, and Missouri.
Iowa will appear in the event for the third straight year, after placing third, fourth, and third the last three seasons. The Tigers and Hawkeyes hook up three times this year.
Hosting a top flight national meet is old hat for Jacobson. The Cat Classic, known as the nations premiere regular-season meet, continues to attract some of the nations best gymnastics squads to Columbia. Missouri is also the host of the Shakespeares Festival, now entering its ninth season.
"The Corvette Cup is the event that could rival the Cat Classic in enthusiasm, attendance and interest," Jacobson says. "The first four have grown each year in every aspect. This year, we will have more Corvettes on display than ever before.
"This is just a lucky thought in combining gymnastics and Corvettes. If I had to pick a car that would symbolize womens gymnastics, the Corvette is the one I would pick. Its a sports car; its powerful; its beautiful; and it kind of correlates with womens gymnastics in that it has the same kind of qualities involved in the sport.
"Slowly but surely, people are turning to Columbia, Mo., as the best place to watch womens gymnstics. And what has really been pleasing is the support of people and businesses here in Columbia. Because without their help, all of this could not be possible."
The Corvette Cup seems destined to grow into one of the nations most unique and prestigious events. Co-hosted by the University of Missouri and the Mid-Missouri Corvette Club, the event is attracting nationwide interest from Corvette enthusiasts. More than 200 persons are expected to display their cars this year, while competing for trophies in seven classes. The event also includes a popular Saturday afternoon road tour through Central Missouri.