Laurie Hernandez goes professional before the Olympics - Good Luck

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2016 U.S. youngest Olympic team member and rising star of USA ‘Laurie Hernandez’ known for her personality-filled floor routines, has decided to turn professional and sign with Sheryl Shade of Shade Global, just days before making her Olympic debut in Rio and committed to continuing in elite gymnastics for the next four years

Hernandez, 16-year-old and the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team will make her Olympic debut on Sunday in Qualifications. She was previously verbally committed to the University of Florida for the 2018-2019 season with senior elite teammate Jazmyn Foberg, but becoming a professional athlete forfeits her eligibility to compete in the NCAA. However,

 NCAA eligibility rules do not allow professional athletes

—those who take sponsorships or are paid for their athletic talents

—to take athletic scholarships or participate in collegiate sports.

This has automatically taken herself out of the race for collegiate gymnastics.

Laurie, The 2015 junior national champion intagram:

“I am so proud and excited to announce that I’ve turned professional and given up my NCAA eligibility; although I will always be a Florida Gator at heart, I’m looking forward to continuing to represent USA at the highest level of gymnastics for several years to come!” Laurie wrote.

She added, “I really appreciate all the love and support from everyone around me; especially my coach @maggiehaney26 for getting me to this level & helping me achieve these amazing accomplishments!”

“I am excited about what it means to compete at the highest level of this sport and really want to focus on elite gymnastics for the next four years,” Laurie added a USA Gymnastics release. “This was not an easy decision to make, but by making the decision now, it allows me to focus entirely on gymnastics and how I can enjoy this sport that I love.”

“Right now, I am focusing on how I can contribute to the success of this team here in Rio, and prefer this does not become a distraction to me or my teammates”. 

Hernandez is a highly marketable athlete and joins the Shade Global family of athlete, with Olympians Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin. We expect lucrative contracts and nonstop media attention, as this young gymnast is Electromagnetic on any stage. Hernandez has one real job right now, and that is to light up the arena in Rio with vibrant energy.