Baron Deveau Joins Geist Sports Academy
Filed Under: Business, Local People
The gymnasts and staff at Geist Sports Academy are “flipping” with excitement over the recent announcement that Baron Deveau is heading up the GSA Girl’s Gymnastics Competitive Team!
If that name sounds very familiar to you, you are not alone. It is Baron DeVeau, the former co-owner of DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers from 1982-1990. The widely successful school still bears his name, and these days, it is known as the home of Samantha Peszek—USA National Team member!
So what’s a Deveau doing at another gymanstics school? Baron left Deveau’s after a divorce and spent his time selling insurance and teaching gymnastics on the side. His former wife continues training athletes at Deveau’s.
Eventually, Baron began teaching part-time at Geist Sports Academy (11960 E. 62nd Street, behind Watson’s on Pendleton Pike). When Head Coach position opened up, he knew it was the right time to jump back into the game full time.
Baron has more than 20 years of experience coaching and instructing boys’ and girls’ gymnastics. He has coached numerous regional champions and national qualifiers, as well as several collegiate scholarship athletes. He has also been the State of Indiana’s “Coach of the Year.” The staff at GSA is thrilled and extremely proud to have Baron DeVeau as a full time member of their team and family. From the smiles on the faces of the girls’ gymnastics team during my recent visit to GSA, they seem very proud and happy, too!
Deveau began his new position July 7th and has some lofty goals for his team. He wants to have more consistency in the program and show kids they can be successful in many ways — not just winning competitions.
“I used to be a do or die kind of guy,” says Deveau. “But I now I know it is also important for kids to learn to be successful in many ways. However,” Deveau is quick to add, “don’t get me wrong, I still want to win!”
We should plan on seeing a lot more of Geist Sports Academy at competitive events coming up, and GSA most likely will compete with Deveau’s School of Gymnastics at some point.
The spotlight is now on the gymnastics program at GSA, but the school does offer other programs for kids and adults, as well. And just like Deveau’s in Fishers, Geist Sports Academy is also a fun place to throw a kid’s birthday party! You can check the GSA website (www.geistsportsacademy.com) for more information.
Good luck to Baron Deveau and his new team at Geist Sports Academy!
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Clare Scales | Aug 6, 2008 | Reply
You might want to check your facts for accuracy before you run an article like “Baron DeVeau Joins Geist Sports Academy”.
I have known both Baron and Joan DeVeau for many years, and I feel obligated to point out the errors appearing in your usually enjoyable newsletter.
The information you printed is not correct.
Baron DeVeau has NEVER been affiliated with DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers, as he and Joan DeVeau divorced before the establishment in Fishers ever began. DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers does NOT bear Baron DeVeau’s name at all. Since it’s inception in Fishers, it has always been under the sole ownership of Joan D’Arcy Deveau, hence the “Deveau” in the name.
Baron DeVeau was selling insurance when Joan DeVeau made DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers widely successful. She is soley responsible for the stratigic planning of staff and training that allowed Samantha Peszek to perfect her gymnastics skills and be where she is today - competing for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics - as a member of the USA women’s gymnastics team.
You owe it to your readers to set the record straight about these two individuals. You have not done them or the many families with children in gymnastics justice in what you printed. Please print the correction in the next issue.
To be fair, you might want to run a highlight on Samantha Peszek and her search for Olympic Gold. I’m sure anyone at (Joan) DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics in Fishers will be happy to provide you with both accurate copy and photos. You can reach them at 849-7744.
Tom Britt | Aug 7, 2008 | Reply
Clare, we’ll certainly look into your statements and make any corrections as necessary. Often times when interviewing someone you hear one side of a story, and not always correctly. I certainly don’t want to take anything away from Joan or DeVeaus, especially the accomplishments of Samantha Peszek. If you follow atGeist.com, you’ll see that we are in 100% support of Sam, her family, and the entire DeVeau’s family of gymnasts. What we are witnessing is a once-in-a-lifetime event and we couldn’t be happier for you all.