University of New Hampshire Athletics
Gymnastics Adds Ayotte, Bergman to Coaching Staff
8/3/2016 1:59:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
Long-time associate head coach Ed Datti to stay on in volunteer role
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire gymnastics head coach Gail Goodspeed announced Wednesday that Lindsey (Bruck) Ayotte and Harris Bergman have joined the staff as associate head coach and assistant coach, respectively.
Ed Datti, who retired from his role as associate head coach in the spring, will enter his 36th year on staff as a volunteer coach who will attend all practices and competitions.
"We are all so excited about the addition of Lindsey and Harris to our staff," said Goodspeed. "This coaching staff will provide an amazing combination of creativity, enthusiasm, technical expertise and years of experience to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals."
This is the second stint at UNH for Ayotte, who was an assistant coach in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In '09 and '10, Ayotte was the Wildcats' primary choreographer. Her other responsibilities included co-teaching the movement and gymnastics exploration class, overseeing the UNH community gymnastics class program and coordinating the program's paperwork for numerous aspects. New Hampshire qualified for NCAA Regionals both years, placing fourth in the 2010 meet and fifth at the 2009 meet.
Ayotte, a 2008 graduate of the University of Michigan, left UNH to pursue a life-long dream of performing with Cirque du Soleil. She joined a show called Amaluna where she was an Amazon character. Ayotte was captain of the 7-8 member squad who performed a unique uneven bar act and was promoted to artist coach. She also learned numerous other disciplines and coached contortion, the water bowl act, suspended pole and corde lisse. She and her husband, Mark, welcomed their son Cameron in May of 2016 and plan on residing in Dover, N.H.
Ayotte was a two-time All-American, a Honda Award finalist, 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and a two-time NCAA Northeast Region Gymnast of the Year at Michigan. Her other accolades include 2008 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, three-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, NACGC/W Academic All-American, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, and four-time Big Ten All-Academic Team.
In addition to her two years at UNH, Ayotte has coaching experience at private clubs and summer camps.
"I cannot be more thrilled to have Lindsey back at UNH. She is the perfect choice for this positon. Her professional career with Cirque du Soleil will just enhance her skills as a collegiate gymnastics coach," said Goodspeed. "Her positive coaching style and outstanding choreography skills are equally matched by excellent technical expertise. She was a phenomenal student-athlete and brings a wealth of competitive and coaching talent to our program. Our student-athletes are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her."
Bergman comes to New Hampshire from the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent one year (2015-16) as a volunteer assistant coach and helped the Panthers win their first-ever EAGL title. He oversaw Pitt's vault and floor exercise, and helped Lindsay Offutt qualify as an individual for the NCAA Championships on floor. Bergman's other responsibilities included that of primary spotter.
Bergman competed as a gymnast for 11 years and was a Level 10 gymnast for four years (2006-10), which included competing at the Men's Junior Olympics, before incurring a career-ending injury.
Bergman changed his attention to diving and was a four-year letterwinner on the men's swimming & diving team at Pitt, where he was a three-time NCAA Regional qualifier and senior captain (2014-15). As a senior, he recorded a score in the 3-meter that marked the highest in the program since November 2008.
"Harris brings an energy and enthusiasm that is unmatched. He 'hit the recruiting road' the day he was hired and has also worked five summer camps. He already has great technical knowledge and is eager to continue to develop as a top NCAA women's gymnastics coach," Goodspeed added.
The Wildcats competed at the 2016 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional Championship, marking the 33rd NCAA Regional appearance in 35 seasons and the 35th postseason appearance in Goodspeed's 37 years at the University. The 'Cats repeated as EAGL runner-up by scoring a 195.485 at the EAGL Championship at the University of Pittsburgh. For more information on the UNH gymnastics program, visit www.unhwildcats.com.
Ed Datti, who retired from his role as associate head coach in the spring, will enter his 36th year on staff as a volunteer coach who will attend all practices and competitions.
"We are all so excited about the addition of Lindsey and Harris to our staff," said Goodspeed. "This coaching staff will provide an amazing combination of creativity, enthusiasm, technical expertise and years of experience to assist our student-athletes in achieving their goals."
This is the second stint at UNH for Ayotte, who was an assistant coach in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. In '09 and '10, Ayotte was the Wildcats' primary choreographer. Her other responsibilities included co-teaching the movement and gymnastics exploration class, overseeing the UNH community gymnastics class program and coordinating the program's paperwork for numerous aspects. New Hampshire qualified for NCAA Regionals both years, placing fourth in the 2010 meet and fifth at the 2009 meet.
Ayotte, a 2008 graduate of the University of Michigan, left UNH to pursue a life-long dream of performing with Cirque du Soleil. She joined a show called Amaluna where she was an Amazon character. Ayotte was captain of the 7-8 member squad who performed a unique uneven bar act and was promoted to artist coach. She also learned numerous other disciplines and coached contortion, the water bowl act, suspended pole and corde lisse. She and her husband, Mark, welcomed their son Cameron in May of 2016 and plan on residing in Dover, N.H.
Ayotte was a two-time All-American, a Honda Award finalist, 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and a two-time NCAA Northeast Region Gymnast of the Year at Michigan. Her other accolades include 2008 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, three-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree, NACGC/W Academic All-American, ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, and four-time Big Ten All-Academic Team.
In addition to her two years at UNH, Ayotte has coaching experience at private clubs and summer camps.
"I cannot be more thrilled to have Lindsey back at UNH. She is the perfect choice for this positon. Her professional career with Cirque du Soleil will just enhance her skills as a collegiate gymnastics coach," said Goodspeed. "Her positive coaching style and outstanding choreography skills are equally matched by excellent technical expertise. She was a phenomenal student-athlete and brings a wealth of competitive and coaching talent to our program. Our student-athletes are so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with her."
Bergman comes to New Hampshire from the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent one year (2015-16) as a volunteer assistant coach and helped the Panthers win their first-ever EAGL title. He oversaw Pitt's vault and floor exercise, and helped Lindsay Offutt qualify as an individual for the NCAA Championships on floor. Bergman's other responsibilities included that of primary spotter.
Bergman competed as a gymnast for 11 years and was a Level 10 gymnast for four years (2006-10), which included competing at the Men's Junior Olympics, before incurring a career-ending injury.
Bergman changed his attention to diving and was a four-year letterwinner on the men's swimming & diving team at Pitt, where he was a three-time NCAA Regional qualifier and senior captain (2014-15). As a senior, he recorded a score in the 3-meter that marked the highest in the program since November 2008.
"Harris brings an energy and enthusiasm that is unmatched. He 'hit the recruiting road' the day he was hired and has also worked five summer camps. He already has great technical knowledge and is eager to continue to develop as a top NCAA women's gymnastics coach," Goodspeed added.
The Wildcats competed at the 2016 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional Championship, marking the 33rd NCAA Regional appearance in 35 seasons and the 35th postseason appearance in Goodspeed's 37 years at the University. The 'Cats repeated as EAGL runner-up by scoring a 195.485 at the EAGL Championship at the University of Pittsburgh. For more information on the UNH gymnastics program, visit www.unhwildcats.com.
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