Elise Ray: Big Move For Big Opportunity
Elise Ray: Big Move For Big Opportunity
There are many former elite gymnasts who now are coaches in the NCAA. This week we take an in-depth look at our next coach, Elise Ray. Ray was named associate head coach at Washington in June.
Image Via- Washington Twitter
Gymnastike recently spoke with Elise Ray
Before coaching you spent time doing commentary for Big Ten Network and Cirque du Soleil, what did you enjoy the most about those jobs?
Elise Ray was an elite gymnast who trained at Hill's under Kelli Hill. She earned her fist U.S. national team berth in 1996 and competed in the 1996 Junior Pan American Championships, placing second in the all-around and winning gold on the uneven bars and floor. She earned a silver medal at the 1998 Goodwill Games. She also competed at the 1999 World Championships in Tianjin, China, placing eight in the all-around, the highest by an American. In 2000, Ray won both the US National Championships and the Olympic Trials. Ray made the 2000 Olympic Team where she won a bronze medal. She was the only American to qualify for an event final in the Olympics.
After the Olympics, Ray competed at the University of Michigan. She led her team to the NCAA Super Six finals in 2005, placing second on beam. She tied for the all-around title in 2001 and won gold medals on the beam (2002) and on bars (2004). Ray graduated from U of M with the most All-American honors in program history with 14.
In August 2012, Ray was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Ray has been a coach at the University of Washington for the past four seasons. Ray has been the lead beam coach and also helps on bars. Ray has also been responsible for all the floor choreography.
Ray has been a coach at the University of Washington for the past four seasons. Ray has been the lead beam coach and also helps on bars. Ray has also been responsible for all the floor choreography.
Image Via- Washington Twitter
Gymnastike recently spoke with Elise Ray
Before coaching you spent time doing commentary for Big Ten Network and Cirque du Soleil, what did you enjoy the most about those jobs?
When I was done at Michigan I was not ready to be done performing. I was a part of the show O in Las Vegas and that was a wonderful experience. I had to learn something from scratch that was hard and very humbling. I trained in Montreal for the show. I performed for 1 ½ in O and then 1 ½ in the show Love. I spent three years in Vegas and I loved being on the stage every night. One of my favorite parts was working with the great people and the international cast. I then moved back home to Maryland and started coaching. During that time I did Big Ten Network and loved every minute of it. It was a blast! I knew a lot of the girls and coaches so it was a lot of fun. It was something that I knew first hand and could relate very easily too.
Is it exciting to be coaching among so many friends and fellow elite gymnasts?
It is a blast! We have a bond like sisters. Kristen Maloney and I are especially close as we have been through fire together. We are always competitive together but first and foremost we are friendly and supportive.
What is the best part about being a NCAA college coach?
The girls! I love working with 18-22 year olds where you do so much growing up. I love watching them go through it. I can relate to them and help, support and push them through it. They make me laugh on a daily basis.
What brought you to Washington?
I got the call out of the blue from Joanne with a job offer. I told her no at first! It would have been a big move for me all the way across the country and I had a new nephew at home I wanted to be around. I thought about the offer for just a few hours and said, I would love to come check it out. When I went out to Washington I loved the city and Joanne, which I knew from Michigan. I then met with administration and I took the job. It happened late and fast as I joined the team in October. I have already been here 4 years and I love Seattle and the amazing coaches and administration. It has been a big learning curve and I have learned so much.
You were just named associate head coach, what is the most exciting part for you on your new role?
It is very exciting as I will be able to make more of an impact here. It is a great partnership with Joanne. I am looking forward to leave more of a mark.
How did your time at Michigan as a gymnast and a coach help you as a coach today?
It just makes me relatable to my gymnasts and it is still very similar to when I was a gymnast. I have lived their life and made the same mistakes. I love to teach them as people to get through the hard parts of life with them.
What did you learn as an elite gymnast that you can use to help you with your gymnasts today?
I learned so much from one of the greatest coaches ever, Kelli Hill. I just stand by her at times and soak it all in. I learned a lot of mental toughness as an elite gymnast that I bring to my coaching. I can bring an extra notch to coaching and share with my athletes. It is challenging for me as well but I am able to bring that X factor from my elite experiences.
What do you think about the level of competition in NCAA gymnastics today?
Every year it seems to go up a notch. It is very exciting and adds more excitement to the sport. There have been a lot of changes in the NCAA and there is a new performance level. It is exciting to see so many new fans to the sport. It is phenomenal for the sport.