About Us

Meet Coach Rick Gonzalez

Champion Athlete. Dedicated Mentor. North Jersey Legend.

A Foundation in Excellence

My journey didn’t start on a wrestling mat—it began in the Sokol gymnastics tradition. Training at the historic Sokol Hall in Guttenberg, NJ, I learned the fundamental values of strength, discipline, and physical fitness. Those early years as an all-around gymnast, specializing in Rings, Floor, and Parallel Bars, provided the explosive power and body awareness that would later define my career as a national-level wrestler.

One of my proudest early achievements was helping our three-man Sokol team capture the High Division title at the Indianapolis International Gymnastics Championships in 1992.

The Wrestling Years: Grit & Resilience

Transitioning from the North Bergen High School mats (where I was a 2x District and Regional Champion and top 8 in NJ States) to the collegiate stage taught me the true meaning of perseverance. After starting at Rider College, I faced the real-world pressures of balancing academics and finances.

I didn't just return to the sport; I came back stronger. While raising my two children, Ashley and Ricky Jr., and coaching to support my family, I competed for Kean College. In the 1992-1993 season, I reached the pinnacle of my competitive career:

• Varsity Letterman | Rider College (NCAA Division I)

• Placed 4th at the ECC Qualifying Tournament for Division I.

• Team Captain, Kean College Wrestling

• NCAA Division III All-American (142 lbs)

• Academic All-American, proving that excellence in the classroom is just as vital as excellence on the mat.

• Gonzalez is the First Hudson county wrestler to become an All American in the sport of wrestling for North Bergen High School in 1993 and the first father and son to win a District championship ever.

Building the Next Generation

Today, I bring decades of competitive longevity to Rick’s All-American. My goal is to pass on the same "Sokol" discipline and "All-American" work ethic to my students. Whether I’m coaching wrestling takedowns or gymnastics tumbling, I believe in building the complete athlete.

Family

He has 4 children of his own Ashley, Ricky Jr., Jaeda, Cienna and 1 step daughter Fiona with his wife Heather Gonzalez 

Certifications & Highlights:

• Dual-Sport Expertise: Expert in both USAG Gymnastics (safety and safe sport certifications) and USA Wrestling (Copper, Bronze, & Teal).

• Proven Results: Decades of experience coaching local North Jersey talent.

• Lifelong Competitor: From the Garden State Games to the NCAA National Stage.

• 1987 Development: While at Elite Gymnastics, Rick took the reins of typical open gym sessions to create "Open Tumbling".

• Methodology: He introduced a structure where a qualified coach is centered on the floor to direct organized warm-ups and progressions. This approach focused on safety, providing proper spotting, and offering technical assistance, turning the "free fall" into a constructive session.

• 1990s Expansion: In the 1990s, Rick began applying these techniques to the cheerleading industry, training cheerleaders on technical tumbling skills similar to gymnastics training.

• Safety Focus: His program was designed to reduce high injury rates caused by athletes attempting advanced skills without proper technical foundations.

• Lasting Legacy: His method has been widely adopted, and many coaches who worked with or were trained by Rick continue to use his class format and methodology to teach technical tumbling in both cheerleading and gymnastics programs today.

Let’s Work Together

Whether your goal is to win a state title or simply build the confidence that comes with physical mastery, I am here to help you reach that next level.