STAFF

LaRee Martin

Founder/Owner: Crescenta Valley Gymnastics of San Dimas

LaRee began teaching when she was 17 years old at her own private dance studio known as “LaRee’s School of Dance” in Glendale, Ca. Her gymnastics coaching career began in 1972 with Verdugo Gymnastics where she was the Head Coach for many years. In 1979 LaRee was honored with an award for best choreography at the Class I National competition.   This award led her to become a freelance choreographer where she created routines for some of the top gymnasts of the time and continued to do so for many years. In 1986 she opened Crescenta Valley Gymnastics Club and ran it right out of the local high school with her daughters (Day, Dawn, Durette).   She took the Crescenta Valley Highschool Gymnastics team to many CIF titles between 1986-1993. In 1988 Laree was awarded the Woman Of Achievement Award by the Glendale Parent & Teacher Council. She served on the CIF advisory committee for 5 years and on the USAG State Board as the Central Inland Sectional Representative from 1993-2000. She has severed as a clinician at many Southern California State Congresses’.

In 1993 she relocated to a state of the art facility in San Dimas, Ca and officially became Crescenta Valley Gymnastics of San Dimas.   Over the years LaRee has coached hundreds of State, Regional, and National Champions and qualified many athletes for collegiate scholarships.   In 2005 LaRee was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Southern California Gymnastics State Board. She is known throughout the gymnastics community as a leader and mentor.   Her involvement in USAG and USAIGC has allowed the program to reach new heights by giving the athletes more than one way to reach their gymnastics goals.   LaRees’ love and dedication to the sport of gymnastics is evident by the fact that she raised all 5 of her children in the sport. Having all of them trained as coaches from Levels 1-Elite at an early age she was able to create a unique training environment unmatched in Southern California. Every event was mastered by one of her children. As a young woman, LaRee was a competitive ice skater and won many skating titles. She has an extensive background in swimming, diving, and water ballet.

LaRee continues to be the Head Coach and Owner of Crescenta Valley Gymnastics of San Dimas and the proud grandmother of 9. Today you will find her doing what she loves most, teaching children the sport of gymnastics.

LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Day Martin

Day Martin is our Head Vault and Bars Coach. She began gymnastics at age 10 and within 3 years was competing at the top level. Day has been coaching since1977. She was a member of Crescenta Valley High School’s gymnastics team and helped her team become CIF champions her first year. Day graduated with a 4.0 average, the Athlete of The Year Award and a gymnastics scholarship to Cal State Northridge. Her team won the 1982 National Championship. In 1984 Day was honored to join an international touring show called “The Best Of The Future”, which traveled to 12 countries. Day returned from a year on tour to coach vault at CVGC with her family. Day has had numerous Regional and National vault champions in levels 5-10. She is a co-developer of the rookie coaches clinic for the So Cal Coaches Association. She is USAG Safety Certified and is a US Coaches Clinician. Day is also a personal trainer for many athletes and coaches Team Physique at CVGC.

Dawn Center

Dawn (Martin) Center is Crescenta Valley’s Head Floor Coach and Choreographer for level 5 – 10. She has been coaching since 1977. She is responsible for the recreational program at CV. Dawn began her extensive dance and gymnastics career as a member of Crescenta Valley’s all CIF Championship team. At the age of 12 she began coaching with her mother, Laree. Over the years her talents have lead her to be nominated for So Cal Women’s Choreographer of the Year. She has produced many National, Regional, and State Champions over the years. She has also shared her talents with organizations such as Miss Teen USA, The Laker organization 83, Miss Fitness USA, and NCA/NCAA Super Star Pom Pom Camps. Dawn is the co-developer of the So Cal Rookie Coaches Clinics. She is USAG safety certified and a Skill Evaluator for all youth programs. Dawn is married to Chad Center and is the proud mother of three son's and a daughter Riley Cole Center, Chase Martin Center, Carson Dale Center, and Ciera Dawn Center.

Durette Lively

Durette (Martin) Lively is CV’s Head Beam Coach. She began her gymnastics career at the age of 5 and was a class 1 (level 10) National Competitor by the age of 10. In high school she was CIF Floor and Beam Champion in 1981 and received the outstanding athlete award for that year. She trained as an elite but injuries prevailed and her coaching career began. Durette has coached many National, Regional, and State Champions on beam. This past year she was honored to add another National Beam Champion to her credits. She is USAG Safety Certified and is a USAG registered Skill Evaluator. Durette was at one time a captain of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Explorer program. Durette is currently in charge of office operations for CV in addition to her coaching duties. Durette’s personal life finds her married to LA County Sheriff Detective Brett Lively and raising 3 wonderful children (Trenton, Taryn and Tailey).