Foundational Impact: The Niko Greenly Story
Backing the Next Generation: Foundation Support Helps Niko Greenly Soar
Since 1984, the USA Gymnastics Foundation has supported athletes at all levels and in all walks of life. One of the most recent athletes to be lifted up by the Foundation is Niko Greenly, a sophomore gymnast at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, who was one of nearly 30 student athletes to be awarded an academic scholarship in 2024 by the Foundation.
“Having this scholarship and knowing the Foundation is behind us and cares for us, it’s certainly important for me [and everyone else] to see,” said Greenly. “Receiving the scholarship allowed me to live out my dream of doing college gymnastics and [I] am very grateful for every dollar that is funded towards such an opportunity.”
The USA Gymnastics Foundation’s support, coupled with outreach by his coaches Tim Klempnauer and Mike Powell, has allowed Greenly to pursue his collegiate men’s gymnastics career with focus and determination. The Foundation’s mission to foster athletic development and expand access to gymnastics opportunities helps ensure that athletes like Niko can thrive both in the gym and the classroom as they work toward their goals.
Being a collegiate gymnast carries many obligations and time commitments. So does studying neuroscience – and Greenly does both. The native of Reno, Nevada finds that gymnastics provides a surrogate family of support as he navigates the college environment.
“The guys here are amazing,” he said. “When I came on my [recruiting] trip, it was just so great to see a family and know that I could fit in. “We became such a tight [knit] class so quickly and I just wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
And when he’s not studying or training with his teammates, Greenly carves out time to have fun and relax. Whether it’s hiking, traveling or spending time at Lake Tahoe with friends, Greenly is making sure he balances his responsibilities and leisure.
Threading that balance definitely works for Greenly and it shows in his performances. Last season, Greenly made still rings finals at the 2024 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships in Columbus, Ohio.
“I took full advantage of the opportunity that the USA Gymnastics Foundation scholarship has given me [and] I was able to make NCAA finals on rings as a freshman,” he said.
He also claimed a deserved silver medal on rings at the 2024 USA Gymnastics Men’s Collegiate National Championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The championships, hosted every year by USA Gymnastics, serve as the final competition of the season for military academies and four-year Division I, II or III institutions that sponsor gymnastics as a varsity sport and provide two or fewer full scholarships.
“I think the scholarships and putting on the [USA Gymnastics’ Men’s Collegiate Championships] is a great step,” said Greenly. “The most important thing is that they keep putting effort into us. It shows that people care about us and not just [the Olympians].”
And it seems that the support is already paying off. Just this April, William & Mary set a school record at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when five of their athletes qualified to apparatus finals, including Greenly on parallel bars.
This is just the first step but Greenly knows more can be achieved, especially with the Foundation’s help. The Foundation will continue to support talented athletes like Niko who are pursuing their collegiate athletic goals.
For more information on the USA Gymnastics Foundation and how you can help empower athletes like Niko, visit usagymfoundation.org.
