INDIANAPOLIS, April 22, 2015 – USA Gymnastics today announced that Rhonda Faehn of Gainesville, Fla., has been named Senior Vice President of Women’s Program. Faehn, who recently led the University of Florida Gators to their third consecutive NCAA gymnastics title, will provide overall leadership to the women’s program, including supervision of the national team program alongside National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi. Faehn has been head coach of the Florida Gators women’s gymnastics team since 2002, and has been named SEC Coach of the Year six times, as well as National Coach of the Year.
“Rhonda brings an incredible background to this role”, said Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics. “Our women’s program has seen tremendous growth and success over the years, and Rhonda’s experiences as an athlete and coach will be valuable assets in this role. She has outstanding relationships with many of our national team staff and coaches, along with an exceptional understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the sport.”
Faehn, who is originally from Minnesota, was a member of the USA Gymnastics national team from 1985-1988, and was the highest all-around finisher for the United States at the 1987 World Championships. She was an alternate on the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. A graduate of UCLA, Faehn also served as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland, and the University of Nebraska prior to taking the head coaching job at Florida.
“This is an incredible honor and privilege for me,” said Faehn, who will officially begin her duties on May 11. “The chance to contribute to the incredible success being achieved at USA Gymnastics is a once in lifetime opportunity and I look forward to working with the athletes, coaches, and entire gymnastics community to keep things moving in the right direction.”
Faehn will be relocating to Indianapolis with her husband, Jeremy, and their two sons, Noah and Isaiah.