The Holy Family Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Mary Kate Cacchione as the university's first-ever women's acrobatics & tumbling head coach.
 
"We are extremely fortunate to have found Mary Kate to be the university's first acrobatics & tumbling head coach," said Tim Hamill, Director of Athletics. "In her interview she established a clear vision that aligned with our departmental goals and mission. I look forward to seeing her grow the program from the ground up and establishing Holy Family as one of the premier teams in this emerging sport." 
 
Cacchione was a four-year starting athlete for an Azusa Pacific University program that ranked in the top-five in each of her four years, including in the-top three in her senior season in 2018 when she was named a team captain. 
 
She would go on begin her coaching career as the operations manager for the Cougars in 2020, after receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. 
 
In addition to her collegiate experience, Cacchione has been a USA Gymnastics level 3-10 coach for eight years. 
 
She also went on to earn her Master of Science in International Business from the Hult International Business School in London. 
 
"What an exciting hire for Holy Family University! Mary Kate has an extensive background in gymnastics in addition to competing and coaching in Acrobatics & Tumbling at Azusa Pacific University," commented Janell Cook, Executive Director of the National College Acrobatics & Tumbling Association. "Her passion for the development of student-athletes and the sport itself will shine through as she begins to connect with supporters of Holy Family and potential student-athletes to build their new program."
 
Acrobatics & tumbling was adopted as an NCAA emerging sport in all three divisions effective August 1, 2020, meaning when 40 programs meet NCAA sport sponsorship thresholds for participants (18) and competitions (6), acrobatics & tumbling will be eligible to begin the legislative process for NCAA championship status.
 
Earlier this year in July it was announced that Holy Family became the 45th department to add acrobatics & tumbling.
 
That number has already grown to 48 in the months since.