Apex Skip-Its: A Brief History

The story of the Apex Skip-Its began in 1993, when Tommy Hager became the Youth Sports Director at the Cary Family YMCA (now the Taylor Family YMCA). After watching an all-star jump rope team perform, his supervisors challenged him to "look into" jump rope. Armed with instructional VHS tapes, countless phone calls to coaches across the country, and plenty of determination, Tommy taught himself the skills and techniques that would become the foundation of a lasting program.

Soon after, Tommy partnered with Elizabeth Caddell, the physical education teacher at Baucom Elementary School, to hold the team's very clinic and first tryouts. 63 jumpers came to the very first clinic. Thirteen jumpers made that inaugural team—including current Skip-Its coach Will Hughes and current Skip-Its parent Leslie Atalese Markham. Tommy named the team the Cary YMCA Super Skippers.

As the Super Skippers began competing, they quickly gained recognition on the national stage. Along the way, Coach Hager even earned his own collection of competition medals!

One of the program's most enduring contributions was born over a brainstorming session at a Manhattan Bagel shop in Cary. Tommy and his friend and colleague, Pat King, sketched the first six jump rope skill levels on a napkin. Over the years, those levels have been refined and expanded into the nine-level progression that continues to guide jumpers today.

When Tommy later became a physical education teacher at Salem Elementary School, he founded the Salem Skip-Its. The team flourished throughout the 16 years he taught there, inspiring hundreds of young athletes to discover the joy of jump rope.

In 2014, Tommy and Alison launched the Apex Skip-Its, creating a performance team for students in grades 2–12 while continuing their commitment to teaching, performing, and serving the community through clinics, demonstrations, and events both locally and beyond.

Today, the Apex Skip-Its continue to learn, grow, and jump together. Our program is built on the dedication of an incredible coaching staff—many of whom are former Skip-Its themselves. We are grateful for every athlete, coach, volunteer, parent, and supporter who has been part of this journey. It is a privilege to continue building a community where leadership, perseverance, friendship, wisdom and a love of jump rope are passed from one generation to the next.