CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Jason Collins was hired as assistant gymnastics coach at Southeast Missouri Tuesday.
Collins comes to SEMO after spending one season at Yale. Prior to Yale, he worked as the vice president, chief athletic office, director of men's gymnastics and women's elite team coach at EVO Athletics.
"I am excited to welcome Jason to the Redhawk family," said SEMO Head Coach Ashley Lawson. "He brings a wealth of gymnastics knowledge and experience and will make an instant impact in the gym. He has a charisma about him that will mesh well with our athletes, and is strong on the technical side of gymnastics. When you have passion and an eye for the sport, you are destined to make great things happen."
Collins began his coaching career at the age of 15. After high school, he attended the Juilliard School in New York, where he received his Bachelor's of voice. He then obtained his Master's in opera performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He began his career as a professional opera singer and classical musician proved highly successful as he traveled the globe, singing in front of crowds as large as 80,000 in the most prestigious halls, stadiums and theatres.
Additionally, Collins has several recordings, many of which are available on iTunes and found in the Yale Music Library of Historical Recordings. His most notable recording is "The Good Soldier Schweik" which is listed in the New York Post as one of Ruth Bader Ginsberg's "Top 10 Opera Recordings" and nominated for Best New Opera by the Cannes Music Festival.
After traveling all over the country and the world, Collins returned to gymnastics with a passion for the artistic side of the sport. This passion was inspired by his formal training at Juilliard and The Curtis Institute.
A true believer in the art form of gymnastics, Collins brings a wealth of coaching experience to SEMO. His deep love for coaching and keen eye has helped him develop numerous National Champions for both USA Gymnastics men's and women's national programs, Carolina Gymnastics Center, the Sarasota YMCA, South Florida Gymnastics, Evo Gymnastics and World Champions Centre.
"With his experiences and expertise, he will continue to help rebuild this program for the success we are striving for," coach Lawson said." When Jason was here for his interview, he was excited about the opportunity to continue to grow our sport in the community and in the gym, and I'm looking forward to having him in the gym/office and out on the recruiting trail."
Matching his 15-year's worth of professional opera singing accomplishments, Collins' gymnastics achievements are just as remarkable.
He was awarded 2015 USAG Coach of the Year for the state of Florida and served as a coach for the United States Olympic Developmental teams at the state, regional, national and international levels from 2015-18. Collins has been honored to coach the last four years alongside partner and friend Aimee Boorman, three-time Worlds Coach and Head Olympic Coach in Rio 2016. Both coached Olympic and current world champion Simone Biles at the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas. Collins was instrumental in negotiations to have the United States Women's National Team train at Evo Gymnastics where the U.S. Women's National Team will now train through the 2020 Olympic games.
