Alumni Update: Mary Skokut
5/27/2021
Mary Skokut, a member of the University of Minnesota women’s gymnastics team from 2001-2004, earned a plethora of awards and honors during her time with the Gophers. Skokut was awarded the 2004 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship and earned WCGA Scholastic All-America honors for all four years. Read more about Mary’s time after donning the Gophers leo in this alumni update!
What led you to the University of Minnesota?
I was drawn to the quality and atmosphere of the gymnastics program, and it was extra special that my big sister was completing her senior year as a Gopher gymnast as I started my freshman year. It was also important to me that the U offered a high quality education.
You graduated in 2004, what have you been doing since your time with the Gophers?
Right after graduating, I moved to Santa Barbara, California to complete my doctorate degree in psychology. I got into the sport of rock climbing which was a great transition after gymnastics, and I met my husband rock climbing. We now have two little boys (ages 6 and 3), who are quite the little monkeys themselves (should I be surprised?!). We love camping, hiking, and exploring as a family. After working a number of years in schools as a school psychologist, I now split my time between being home with my boys and working in private practice as an educational psychologist.
Have you been able to watch and stay connected to the current team? What advice would you give to them?
I wish I could get out to visit more, but I love keeping track of how the Gophers are doing! It’s especially sweet for me watching the Gophers thrive under the guidance of my college teammate Jenny Hansen. I always knew she would be an amazing coach. My advice to the current team is to enjoy these college years and give it your all on the gymnastics floor. This experience of being on a college team is such a valuable, formative experience.
What is your favorite memory from your time as a Gopher?
I will never forget qualifying and competing as a team at the NCAA championships my sophomore year. My photo albums also remind me that I told my teammates they could each personally contribute to cutting my hair into a mullet hairstyle if we ever qualified, and that I made good on that promise. But most of all I remember the little things…rocking out together in the locker rooms, the experiences we had traveling, living with teammates, funny little moments like laughing with volleyball and basketball players in the weight room as they tried to copy us gymnasts and do leg lifts with their long legs. And certainly the memories of the discipline, perseverance, and ability to have faith in my abilities, that I learned as an athlete have stuck with me.
Have you stayed connected with your former teammates? How?
I wish so much that I was in better touch with everyone, but it’s been challenging being out on the west coast. I visited more before having kids. My husband has a lot of extended family in Minnesota, and it was really special bringing his grandma to a gymnastics meet some years ago (she is now 99 years old!) and catching up with old teammates. They are so special to me that I know the next time I see them it will still feel just like visiting with family. I love seeing pictures of my teammates and their families on social media.
You were a four-time NACGC/W Academic All-American and four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. What do these academic accomplishments mean to you?
I received an excellent education at the U, and it was clear that academics were valued when I was on the team. That foundation set me up to pursue the career that I enjoy today. I learned about child development and family systems in college, and now I get to help people directly by working with children and their families. It’s a gift to be able to help people discover skills that allow them to thrive and live their best lives.
