My name is Charlie Kowalski and I have known Jay for about 20 years. I first met him when he was an assistant coach at the gymnastics club in Maryland I was training at in high school. Later on, I was his assistant coach at another club. We worked together for two years. We both moved on to other coaching jobs but stayed in contact and remained friends.
I would have to say that working with Jay coaching the boy's team was an altogether pleasant experience. He was always joking and keeping the kids laughing, but at the same time giving them the workout that they needed to get better. He took his job very seriously and loved the sport of gymnastics. Most of what I learned about how to coach, I first learned from Jay Rivera. I still coach and I still use some of his workout plans and some of the games he used to make the practices fun for the boys.
Jay was very competitive on the competition floor. Whenever my team would go up against his team, we knew we would have a tough battle that day with his guys. We were competitive with each other, but always with mutual respect.
I have also watched Jay struggle in his personal life, especially with alcoholism. I tried many times to persuade him, as I know many other people have, to change his habits, but it was not to be.
Jay's tragic end is a heavy blow to my heart. I feel the loss of a mentor and of a friend. I will always remember him for how much he gave of himself to the kids and to the sport.
May God's blessings be with you Jay.
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