On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams, as well as the others who lost their lives that fateful day.
UNH's new Head Coach Lindsey Bruck Ayotte has announced the hiring of Steve Avgerinos as the Associate Head Coach. He had been serving as the Associate Head Coach at Illinois State. UNH also welcomes Amanda Fillard as a new assistant. The former NC State athlete has been coaching at New Hope.
Link: Release
The US named five former or current NCAA gymnasts to the 2019 World Championship squad following the Selection Camp this weekend. They are led by Sam Mikulak (ex Michigan) who dominated the trials and the US Championships. Also selected were Trevor Howard (ex PSU), Akash Modi (ex-Stanford), Yul Moldauer (ex-OU), and Shane Wiskus (Minnesota). Allan Bower (ex-OU) is the travelling alternate.
Ramirez held coaching positions at Towson in the past as well as club level coaching positions.
Former NCAA champ and Michigan star Sam Mikulak built a commanding lead at the US Men's World Championships selection meet. The meet features 7 of 8 former or current NCAA gymnasts. Former Stanford star and NCAA champ Akash Modi is 2nd, while current Gopher Shane Wiskus is third.
Steve Avgerinos moves from Illinois State to UNH - announcement pending
Lorraine Galow from Bridgeport to Yale - announcement pending
Quest Hayden - PSU to VC at Michigan - announcement pending
MSU has announced the addition of Whitney Snowden and Brittany Webster to the coaching staff. Snowden is a former head L8-L10 coach at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy and USAG vault clinician. Webster is a former standout at Auburn who has been a head coach and program director at Cypress Pointe in Louisiana.
Link: MSU Release
Davis expects to have a staff role with the program.
The Cal Men's program has hired Bryan Del Castillo as an assistant. The former Bear standout was a graduate assistant for Cal and the boys program director at New Hope and head coach at South Coast.
Link: Release
NC State has added former UNC athlete Madison Hargraves as a volunteer asssitant.
Link: Release
Former Stanford athlete Alexandra Pintchouk has been hired as Assistant Coach at Stanford.
Houlton has an extensive coaching resume and Clements is a former CMU gymnast.
Hannah Hitchcock has a history with the program as an athlete and a graduate assistant.