Meet The Gold Cup Team
Owners of Gold Cup
Ed and Kay Burch
Owners and Head coach
In 1989 and 1991, Ed was the assistant coach of the U.S. Men's Team at the World Gymnastics Championships. One of his most impressive accomplishments was leading the U.S. Men's Team to a Silver Medal in the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, WA. He was the head coach at the 1991 Pre-Olympic Meet in Barcelona, Spain and the 1992 World Gymnastics Championships in Paris, France. He has traveled the world being appointed coach at the Swiss Cup, China Cup, and Chunichi Cup in Japan. The French Cup, The Cuperus in Germany, The Moscow News, The Canadian Cup, The Pan American Games, The Goodwill Games, and the Olympic Festival. Additionally, he coached at the DTB Cup in Germany, The Salem Cup in Africa, and coached dual meets with Japan and Brazil.
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Ed was awarded the Frank Cuminsky award in 1986 from USA Gymnastics. In 1988 he was voted Coach of the Year, and was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
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During his 40+ years of coaching, Ed has led numerous gymnasts to national titles and international medals. He has coached seven men on Olympic Teams: 2 time Olympic Gymnast Lance Ringnald, 1992 Gold Medalist Trent Dimas, Olympic Team Members Mihai Bagiu, Chainey Umphrey, Chris Waller, John Rolisberger, and 2008 Silver Medalist Joey Hagerty. Lance Ringnald was the youngest male gymnast to make an Olympic Team in 1988 at the age of 17. Lance was also the first US Gymnast to complete three releases in succession on the High Bar, and the first US Gymnast to perform a Yerchenko Vault in the US. Trent Dimas was the National High Bar Champion and Gold Medalist at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
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In the early years, Ed served in the Air Force from 1969-71. He received a degree in Education in 1975 from UNM. He also attended the University of Albuquerque. As a young boy, Ed practiced Judo and earned a National Title as a Black Belt. He earned a Brown Belt in Karate. Ed competed in Gymnastics at UNM under Rusty Mitchell and Hutch Dvorak.
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From 1974-1982, Ed was the New Mexico State Chairman of USA Gymnastics during which time he met and married his lovely wife Kay and had two children (which he considers the highlight of his life). Additionally for USA Gymnastics, Ed was a Regional Chairman, a member of the Men's Program Committee, Compulsory Development Committee, Strength Committee, and Directed Junior and Senior Training Camps which lasted 2-3 weeks at a time.
In Loving Memory Of
Kathryn (Mrs. Kay) Burch
Kathryn Marie Burch
May 28, 1954 — June 19, 2025
Albuquerque
Kathryn Marie (Kozlowski) Burch
May 28, 1954 - June 19, 2025
Kathryn Marie (Kozlowski) Burch, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, surrounded by many of those she loved and who love her. She was 71.
Born on May 28, 1954, in Albuquerque, Kay lived a life full of grace, passion, and dedication. A gifted ballerina, she found her calling early in life through dance. Her talent and love for the art led her to Fishback Studio, where she met the love of her life, John Edward (Ed) Burch, then an acrobatics instructor. The two shared 49 beautiful years of marriage.
Together, Kay and Ed founded the famed Gold Cup Gymnastics School (which endures to this day) and raised two children, Stephanie and Edward Michael, who were the pride and joy of her life. She was a devoted and nurturing mother, and later, a doting "Granny Kay" to Scarlett (10), Stirling (4), and Rowan (1), who brought her endless happiness.
Kay earned a degree in computer science and eventually joined Ed in coaching young gymnasts, sharing her love of movement and discipline with a new generation. Kay took immense pride in watching her granddaughter Scarlett grow into her own as a budding gymnast.
Kay always cherished her many dogs over the years, and in retirement, she also found joy in staying active, cultivating a passion for weightlifting and exercise.
She also cherished her many trips to San Francisco, where she could focus all her love and attention on Stirling and Rowan-playing, reading stories, exploring parks, and creating memories that will live on in their hearts.
Kay lovingly cared for her parents later in their lives, serving as their chauffeur, cook, and daily companion. Her devotion to family was unwavering and deeply felt by all who knew her.
Kay faced a rare, aggressive, and cruel form of cancer with remarkable courage and grace. In her final days, Kay reminded her family of what mattered most: the importance and power of showing your loved ones they are just that, every day.
Kay touched many people, and so many share the same sentiment: "Kay was like a second mother to me."
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ada and Martin, and her brother, Steve. She leaves behind her husband, Ed; daughter, Stephanie (husband, Kevin), and granddaughter, Scarlett; son, Edward Michael (wife, Sheri), and grandchildren, Stirling and Rowan.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Kay's memory to Watermelon Mountain Ranch Pet Rescue https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/savetheanimals or Lap Dog Rescue https://lapdogrescue.org/donations
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In memory of Kathryn Marie Burch, please consider making a donation to one of the following charities:
Watermelon Mountain Ranch
Lap Dog Rescue Of New Mexico
Memorial Service
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Stephanie Lange
Office Manager/Choreographer
Stephanie graduated Magna Cum Laude from the College of Santa Fe in 1998. She moved to New York City for five years where she worked as a dancer, choreographer, personal trainer and aerobics instructor. She taught for the United Nations, YWCA, NBC, Crunch, and New York Sports and Wellness. Stephanie also performed off Broadway, in film and was a backup dancer for a recording artist. She was also certified with the National Dance Institute.
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Stephanie is currently the Gold Cup Office Manager, Summer Camp Director, and Optional Girls Choreographer. She also choreographs and performs with local theatre companies such as The Albuquerque Little Theatre, Musical Theatre Southwest and The Growing Stage.
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Stephanie is married to Kevin, who is a photographer and coach here at Gold Cup. She enjoys spending time with their daughter and their two dogs!
Program Directors
Alena
East Gym Manager
23 years at Gold Cup
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Alena’s journey began at Gold Cup not as a coach but as a dedicated gymnast, reaching level 10, competing in the sport until 1998. Alena understands the values of Gold Cup and the lengthy process of achieving perseverance and dedication through her competitive gymnastic years.
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Officially joining the coaching staff in 2001, Alena has inspired many young children with confidence and desire to achieve the physical and mental skills needed in the preschool program here at Gold Cup.
In 2006, Alena became the Preschool Program Director and has achieved a thriving program that feeds into both aspects offered by Gold Cup; the Recreation and Competitive levels.
Alena has the love and support of her husband and two children as she provides excellent coaching to so many other children.