For over 60 years, The Palaestrum has provided quality gymnastics lessons. Started by Charlie Pond, the University of Illinois Gymnastics coach, The Palaestrum is the first school to provide tumbling and trampoline in towns outside of Champaign since 1965. These classes for ages 3 to 17 teach coordination and build strength and flexibility to students that will help with any sport or physical activity they may choose.
” Both of my girls did gymnastics at the Palaestrum from preschool to the advanced classes. It was a great way for them to build confidence, coordination, and body awareness. Bill’s classes are the right combination of discipline and focus while still allowing them to have lots of fun. My girls love Bill and his classes, and we’d recommend him to everyone. ”
The Millsap Family
Meet the instructor, Bill Staley
Bill Staley is Director and Head Instructor for The Palaestrum Gymnastics Club specializing in tumbling and trampoline training for pre-school children to young adults, ages 3 – 18. Bill purchased the Palaestrum from Clinton Smith, his former coach, and continues to develop new programs in many of the communities in Champaign and Douglas Counties. The mission of The Palaestrum is to use gymnastics to build body strength, increase flexibility, coordination and concentration with fun and safety being of the highest priorities.
Bill’s gymnastics training began at the age of 5 with Charlie Pond and his Palaestrum Gymnastics School. By the time he had reached the age of 11, Bill became a junior leader at the Palaestrum helping to teach trampoline. Soon thereafter, the Palaestrum expanded to offer classes in the communities around Champaign-Urbana where he would teach tumbling and trampoline to boys and girls ages 5 to 18 years.
While pursuing a degree in Recreational Leadership at Parkland Junior College in Champaign, Bill began a partnership with the Palaestrum and Clinton Smith to teach classes in Tolono, Champaign, Mahomet, Sidney, Homer, Bethany, Watseka, Villa Grove, Philo and St. Joseph. This partnership continued until his graduation from college in 1976, when he started his own gymnastics programs in several of the communities surrounding Champaign-Urbana. During this same period, Bill worked for the Rantoul Recreation Department running their gymnastics and tennis programs.
In 1980, Bill purchased the Illini Gymnastics Club owned by Hal Shaw, a former U of I Gymnast, and started the first boys Gymnastics program in Champaign since Charlie Pond’s Palaestrum closed in 1963. The club produced several boys’ and girls’ state championship teams and sent a number of them to college with gymnastics scholarships. Bill sold the club in 1992; after passing through various ownerships, it is now the Life Line Gymnastics.
From 1998 to 2000, he was Director of gymnastics at the Champaign Y.M.C.A. where many of his former Illini Gymnastics team members are now coaching.
Bill holds a safety certification from the United States Gymnastics Federation.