Welcome to Stars & Stripes

     Hi!  My name is Douglas Pershun.  I am the Meet Director for Stars & Stripes.  I am also the 'President' of Team Lightning Inc. - dba - Erie Gymnastics Center for now 31 years.  I am also the Head Coach of the Team Lightning Optionals.  I also wear many, many, many - other hats.... 

      I am husband to my loving wife of 26 years (+ 7 years courting) Tina Pershun who is the 'Vice President' of the gym, Head Coach of the Compulsory Team, and Asst. Meet Director this weekend.

     I am  Father of 2 --  Jesse Pershun - my son, 'a chip off the ole block' following in my footsteps (even the bad ones) who is also my Asst. Coach & Asst. Meet Director this weekend.  

     My Lovely & Brilliant Daugher Mackenzie Pershun - also worked in the business and is a Women's Compulsory Judge.  She recently graduated RIT,  Cumma Summa something or other... and secured a brand new job at DuPont as a Biochemist.

     This 'Program' is NOT about ME, but with ME - there is ALWAYS a story.   In addition to the Business Owner, Meet Director, Father, Husband, I have all these other hats.   Some of these other 'hats' play into the Program & Story.   - So, I was the 1981 National Roller Disco Champion! // I graduated in Biology taking me to work in Alaska for a year and Montana.  My work in Montana was actually 34 years ago and I did 'Avian Research' (birds).  Part of my research / job description was actually testing & sampling the bird population for 'flu viruses'.  So, 34 some years ago - I actually was aware of a 'Corona' Virus and learned a great deal about viruses & pandemics.

   Maybe those who know me would describe me with a sort of 'obsessive curiousity' about