Top Coaches Honored at 2025 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Awards
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association is once again in the spotlight, celebrating coaches who define excellence, leadership, and growth in NCAA women’s gymnastics.
The 2025 WCGA Coach of the Year Awards shine a light on individuals whose influence stretches far beyond the competition floor. These coaches shape programs, mentor student-athletes, and keep raising the bar for the sport across the country.
Announced after the NCAA Championships, these honors recognize the dedication and impact of coaches in Divisions I, II, and III.
The Significance of the WCGA Coach of the Year Awards
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For decades, the WCGA Coach of the Year Awards have stood as one of the top professional distinctions in collegiate gymnastics.
Unlike other accolades that focus only on win-loss records, these awards rely on peer recognition. Recipients are chosen by a vote of the full WCGA membership, making the honor about more than just results—it’s about respect, integrity, and leadership.
The awards include both head coaches and assistant coaches. Building a successful program takes collaboration, mentorship, and a shared vision.
By honoring coaches from all NCAA Divisions, the WCGA shows its commitment to lifting the entire collegiate gymnastics community.
How the Selection Process Works
The WCGA Awards Committee runs a thorough and transparent selection process. Only coaches who are members in good standing can be considered, which keeps things professional and ensures everyone is engaged in the sport.
- Head Coach of the Year candidates include all head and co-head coaches who are WCGA members.
- Assistant Coach of the Year candidates include associate head coaches and assistant coaches, nominated exclusively by their institution’s head coach.
- Voting is conducted by the full WCGA membership, ensuring peer-driven recognition.
The awards are presented at the WCGA Annual Meeting and then announced to the public after the NCAA Championships. That timing lines up with the sport’s biggest stage.
2025 WCGA Award Recipients
The 2025 honorees are a group of coaches whose leadership and performance have truly set them apart. They manage to balance competitive success with coaching that puts athletes first.
Head Coach of the Year: Shannon Welker, Missouri
Missouri head coach Shannon Welker landed national recognition for lifting the Tigers program to new heights. Under his guidance, Missouri has become a model of consistency and resilience, always in the mix on the national stage.
Welker’s impact goes beyond scores. He’s built a culture of accountability and belief, turning Missouri into a destination for top talent. The WCGA honor is the result of years of steady growth, smart recruiting, and a clear focus on developing athletes both on and off the apparatus.
Assistant Coach of the Year Honorees
The assistant coach category highlights the behind-the-scenes leaders who make a difference in daily training and athlete well-being. The 2025 recipients are standouts when it comes to collaboration and building strong programs.
- Whitney Snowden
- Lacey Rubin
- Jackie Terpak (Missouri)
These coaches connect with student-athletes, refine the details, and support the bigger vision of their teams. Jackie Terpak’s recognition alongside Welker really shows the depth of Missouri’s coaching staff.
Leadership Beyond the Gym Floor
WCGA Board Chair Casey Jo MacPherson pointed out that these awards are about more than just wins. They honor coaches who’ve changed lives, raised expectations, and built lasting legacies in collegiate gymnastics.
The vision, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence displayed by these coaches have not only shaped champions, but inspired many others on the same journey.
This approach lines up with the WCGA’s mission as the main advocate for women’s collegiate gymnastics. By spotlighting leadership, mentorship, and integrity, the Association keeps the sport healthy for the long haul.
The Role of the WCGA in Collegiate Gymnastics
The Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led group representing coaches from NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and the NAIA. Its advocacy covers competitive standards, athlete welfare, professional growth, and getting women’s gymnastics the visibility it deserves.
Through these awards, the WCGA doesn’t just celebrate excellence—it sets the bar for what great coaching should look like in today’s collegiate world.
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Why These Awards Matter in 2025
The timing of the 2025 WCGA Coach of the Year Awards feels especially important. Collegiate gymnastics is seeing huge growth in fan engagement, TV coverage, and athlete empowerment with NIL opportunities. As the sport changes, coaching leadership matters more than ever.
Recognizing coaches who adapt, innovate, and put athletes first sends a strong message to the gymnastics world. It’s a reminder that success is about more than trophies—it’s about education, health, and personal growth, too.
Impact on Recruiting and Program Identity
National coaching honors make a real impact in recruiting. Prospective student-athletes and their families often see WCGA recognition as a sign of stability and strong values in a program.
For programs like Missouri, having both head and assistant coaches recognized boosts their national profile and shows they’re working as a tight, high-performing team.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 WCGA award recipients will get their moment in the spotlight at the Association’s Annual Meeting later this year. It’s a chance for the gymnastics community to come together and really celebrate what these folks have accomplished.
It’s wild how much collegiate gymnastics leans on dedicated professionals who just keep pushing for excellence. Without them, things would look pretty different, wouldn’t they?
The 2025 season keeps rolling out headlines and unforgettable performances. You can see the coaches’ influence in their athletes—confidence, composure, and that edge of competitiveness.
If you want all the details on the 2025 WCGA Coach of the Year Awards and more coverage, check out Inside Gymnastics’ official announcement.