Casey Jo MacPherson brings assertive nature to Pitt gymnastics
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Casey Jo MacPherson’s competitive mindset first surfaced on her preschool playground in Eugene, Ore.
Pitt’s new gymnastics coach was so young at the time, her parents had to relate the story to her.
“When I was really little, my parents told me about (how) I was at preschool, and I was pushing my way to the front of the line to go on the monkey bars,” she said. “Then, I’d run back around and push my way back to the front of the line.
“Before I even really remember, I wanted to be in the front. I wanted to be the best.”
How Casey Jo MacPherson was drawn to gymnastics … pic.twitter.com/SNhHgu0gUO
— Jerry DiPaola (@JDiPaola_Trib) April 28, 2023
Though MacPherson has stopped knocking over little kids to get what she wants, Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke is counting on her to lead Pitt’s gymnastics program into prominence. Lyke said MacPherson’s “extraordinary competitive background” was a key factor in bringing her to Pitt’s campus. She has replaced former coach Samantha Snider, who compiled a record of 50-83-1 in six seasons, including 10-15 this year.
Lyke said it’s “a given” that she hire coaches who are expert at the sport, and MacPherson certainly fits that criteria. At the University of Arkansas, she won eight All-America honors, three NCAA regional individual championships and finished second in the 2010 NCAA individual all-around.
“She knows the discipline and focus needed to compete in the highest levels,” Lyke said.
MacPherson’s experience as a coach at Missouri’s successful program also was a key factor. She has spent the past 10 years there as associate head coach, helping the team to land top-15 finishes the past five.
“Spending 10 years at a place not only shows loyalty but being committed to building something special,” Lyke said. “You don’t get to stay someplace for 10 years unless you’re doing something incredibly well.”
After a search she said included analysis and evaluation of coaches across the U.S., Lyke said she was convinced MacPherson was right for the job when she watched her interact with two Pitt gymnasts.
“She is prepared to connect,” Lyke said. “When we put her in front of two of our student-athletes during her visit, I could tell instantly that she would connect. She coaches for all the right reasons.”
As a child, MacPherson briefly tried soccer and dance, but she said gymnastics was her passion, even after she learned to wait her turn on the monkey bars.
“Over time, with maturity, I learned how to channel that competitiveness really in a team atmosphere,” she said. “To be able to find that balance of ‘I want to be the best. But what does that take? What does that look like on a day-to-day basis?’ ”
The upcoming seasons are the most significant in the history of Pitt gymnastics. The ACC will start sponsoring the sport for the first time during the 2023-24 academic year, with Pitt joining N.C. State, North Carolina and Clemson.
Plus, the program is scheduled to move into its new home in 2025 when the Victory Heights facility is scheduled to open.
“Pitt gymnastics is going to be on a bigger stage, figuratively and literally, than ever before,” Lyke said.
“It’s incredible to really see (Victory Heights) come to life, and it’s going to be amazing to be part of that process,” MacPherson said. “I knew it was going to take something special to pull me away from the people (at Missouri) who I had developed those relationships with and what we had built.”
Her initial goals at Pitt won’t be achieved in competition. Long before that, MacPherson will open her office doors to the program’s student-athletes to get to know them.
“We’re going to have to do this together,” she said, “making sure that my values and my vision align with what’s important to the student-athletes. Surrounding myself with like-minded people and having that bond is going to be important to me.
“Trust takes time, but you have to put the time in on the front end to lay that foundation.”