Not all current EKU students know that the university once had a gymnastics team. The program had 13 competitive seasons, according to www.e-yearbook.com, and the impact of those teams are still influencing people today.

David Cole was on the men’s gymnastics team from 1977-1981 and was the graduate assistant to the team its last year on campus. Cole came to EKU on a gymnastics scholarship, because of the education department and the beautiful campus.

Tony Webber was on the team from 1975-1979 and came to EKU because of Coach Gerald Calkin, who had coached Webber’s cousins at the University of Massachusetts, also on a gymnastics scholarship.

“Without this opportunity I would have never gone to college so I’ll always be indebted to Eastern Kentucky,” Webber said.

EKU’s impact on Webber started with an opportunity for higher education. In addition to this otherwise unplanned learning opportunity, Webber loved the Southern lifestyle in Kentucky versus his home city of Newton, Massachusetts.

For Cole, one of EKU’s lasting impacts on his life was the education he received.

“Education is important because you’re supposed to learn and grow without ceasing,” Cole said.

The men’s gymnastics team members were excellent students, earning some of the highest GPAs among all the athletes at the university, according to www.e-yearbook.com.

“Coach stressed our grades, which was great because I was a terrible high school student. He made us focused,” Webber said.

Cole described coming down to campus early each year, surrounded by athletes who loved what he loved.

“I immediately felt like I had a place, established relationships, friendships, and I was comfortable because I knew I would always have that group of guys around me,” Cole said.

Both Cole and Webber are now educators, a byproduct of EKU’s influence in their careers. Cole owns a private gymnastics club called Top Flight Gymnastics in Northern Kentucky. Webber sold his private club a few years ago and now teaches physical education.

“How many kids have the both of us affected through our coaching? There’s a legacy from Coach Calkin to us, now to our students,” Webber said.

Both Cole and Webber can agree that their experiences at EKU go far beyond their graduation or their days on the gymnastics team, as it's still influencing their lives today.

“Eastern Kentucky – and Coach – made me the person I am,” Webber said. “We were family.”

Perhaps after reading this story, past and current students can all agree – once a Colonel, always a Colonel.