Bruce Fielding, coach of the YMCA of Corry Tumbling Tigers gymnastics team, has been named the 2025 Western Division Pennsylvania Coach of the Year in a new statewide recognition program celebrating excellence in gymnastics coaching.
Fielding, who has been coaching the Tumbling Tigers for 13 years, celebrates 35 years of coaching in 2025. Before dedicating himself to gymnastics, he coached high school volleyball, baseball and cross country among other sports, and served as an athletic director while teaching anatomy and physiology and health at a school on Long Island for 10 years.
The inaugural PA YMCA Gymnastics Coach of the Year Awards were established to recognize coaches who demonstrate exceptional commitment not only to developing athletic skills but also to positively influencing the lives of young gymnasts. Fielding was honored alongside Murdina Misson from Phoenixville YMCA, who received the Eastern Division award.
"Responsibility, care, integrity, dedication, leadership and passion," were the words used to describe this year's honorees during the award ceremony at the YMCA of Pennsylvania State Gymnastics Championship meet held April 4-6 at Willow Grove YMCA of Greater Philadelphia.
According to Mubarak "Mo" Simmons, gymnastics director of Willow Grove YMCA, the selection process was rigorous and heartfelt.
"We received over 90 nominations from gymnasts across Pennsylvania," Simmons explained. "Each one submitted a short essay answering the prompt: 'Why is your coach the greatest coach ever?'"
To ensure fairness, a special selection committee comprising volunteers with no connection to any nominated coaches reviewed all submissions. Fielding's nominations reportedly stood out for, “The incredible way your gymnasts spoke about you," Simmons said.
The recognition marks a significant achievement for the local gymnastics program, and establishes a foundation for this prestigious award in coming years.
Fielding expressed gratitude for the support of his gymnasts and their families.
“I was surprised and honored,” Fielding said. “The kids give me a reason to step into the gym every day, and it’s humbling to be recognized in such a way, among so many great coaches in the league. I’m surrounded by great, skilled coaches in our gym — Kendra [Maker] and Ailee [Blakeslee] make my job that much easier. I’m thankful for their help and support, and I’m grateful for this award.”
See a future edition of The Corry Journal for a recap of the state championship meet.
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