Remembering Kathy Corrigan Ekas: Springfield College Icon and Olympian Passes at 80
The gymnastics world is grieving the loss of Kathy Corrigan Ekas, an Olympian, coach, and trailblazer who shaped women’s gymnastics for over sixty years.
Springfield College Athletics shared that Corrigan Ekas, a proud member of the Class of 1966, died on May 2, 2025, at age 80.
Her legacy is all about excellence, leadership, and a deep love for gymnastics. She made her mark as a collegiate champion and later represented the United States on the world stage.
Corrigan Ekas’s influence still echoes through generations of gymnasts who followed her path. It’s hard to overstate just how much she meant to the sport.
The Early Years: A Star in the Making
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Kathy Corrigan Ekas was born with a knack for athleticism and a fierce drive to compete. Early on, she stood out in gymnastics.
Her journey to Springfield College kicked off a career that would change women’s collegiate gymnastics. Back then, female athletes didn’t have many opportunities.
She didn’t just compete—she excelled and set new standards for what was possible. That kind of determination? It’s rare.
While at Springfield, Corrigan Ekas became a two-time New England Intercollegiate All-Around Champion. She also captained the Springfield College women’s gymnastics team.
Her leadership stretched beyond the mat. Teammates saw her as a role model, someone known for discipline, humility, and a relentless work ethic.
Her success helped Springfield College’s gymnastics program rise to national prominence. She inspired so many young women to chase their own gymnastics dreams.
Springfield College: Where Legacy Took Root
Springfield College has always valued developing leaders in athletics, and Corrigan Ekas fit that mission perfectly. What she achieved during her college years set the stage for a truly historic athletic career.
She was more than just a gymnast; she helped shape what women’s gymnastics would become at Springfield. That’s not something you see every day.
In 1987, over twenty years after graduating, she became the first woman inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. That honor speaks volumes about her impact and how much her peers respected her.
Her induction broke barriers and opened doors for future female athletes at Springfield. It’s the kind of milestone that changes things for everyone who comes after.
International Success: Representing the United States
Corrigan Ekas didn’t stop at collegiate competition. She took her talent to the international stage, representing the United States with real distinction.
At the 1963 Pan American Games in São Paulo, Brazil, she delivered a performance that still stands out in U.S. gymnastics history.
- Team Gold Medal – She led the U.S. women’s team to the top of the podium.
- All-Around Silver Medal – She showed her versatility and consistency across all events.
- Bronze Medals – On both floor exercise and vault, she displayed her artistic and technical skills.
Her Pan American Games success pushed her even further, earning her a spot on the 1964 U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team in Tokyo, Japan.
Representing her country at the Olympics was the result of years of hard work and discipline. It locked in her place among the elite athletes of her era.
A Role Model for Future Olympians
For young gymnasts, Kathy Corrigan Ekas became a symbol of what you can achieve with perseverance and passion. Her Olympic journey inspired so many, especially when women’s gymnastics was still fighting for recognition.
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She proved that excellence in sport comes from commitment and heart, not just gender. That’s a lesson worth remembering.
Her international success also helped raise the profile of American women’s gymnastics during an important time for the sport. The foundation she built supported future U.S. champions and Olympians.
Coaching and Mentorship: Building the Next Generation
After earning her undergraduate degree at Springfield College, Corrigan Ekas continued her studies at Penn State University. She got a master’s in physical education and coached the women’s gymnastics team for two years.
She didn’t stop there. She led programs at Weymouth High School and Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, creating environments that valued discipline, teamwork, and personal growth.
Later, she founded the Kathy Corrigan School of Gymnastics in Rockland, Massachusetts. That gym became a cornerstone for youth gymnastics in the area.
Creating a Lasting Legacy Through Coaching
Through her school, Corrigan Ekas mentored thousands of young gymnasts. Many went on to compete at collegiate and national levels.
She believed gymnastics was more than a sport—it was a way to build confidence, character, and lifelong friendships. Her students often described her as both coach and mentor, someone who cared about them as athletes and as people.
Her coaching style reflected her competitive days: she brought dedication, attention to detail, and a deep love for gymnastics. Even after retiring from competition, she stayed involved in the community, showing up at meets and cheering on the athletes she inspired.
Honors and Recognition: A Life of Achievement
Besides her Hall of Fame induction at Springfield College, Corrigan Ekas was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1992. That honor recognized not just her athletic accomplishments but her lifelong contributions to gymnastics in the U.S.
Her dual inductions—first at Springfield, then at the national level—cemented her status as one of the sport’s most influential figures. Not many athletes leave a mark as a competitor, coach, mentor, and advocate.
A Trailblazer Remembered
When Springfield College announced her passing, the athletics community paused to reflect on just how much she gave to gymnastics. Springfield College Director of Athletics Craig Poisson noted that Corrigan Ekas stands alone in the school’s gymnastics history.
Her pioneering spirit, athletic excellence, and commitment to others define a legacy that’s going to last. Kathy Corrigan Ekas will be remembered as a champion—not just in gymnastics, but in life.
Celebrating a Life of Dedication and Excellence
The gymnastics world pauses to honor Kathy Corrigan Ekas’s memory. Her story keeps inspiring athletes, coaches, and fans, even now.
She broke barriers at Springfield College. Later, her Olympic journey and years of coaching showed what sports can be—perseverance, leadership, and pure love for the game.
Kathy’s influence still shapes the sport she poured her heart into. Gyms, schools, and athletes carry her wisdom forward, living out her legacy every day.