DENTON, Texas (Sept. 13, 2017) - Head Coach Lisa Bowerman of Texas Woman's University gymnastics has completed her staff for the upcoming season with the addition of Stephen Hood and the promotion of Kristen Meyers as each will serve as an Assistant Gymnastics Coach.
 
"I am thrilled to add Stephen to our staff. He brings with him a vast amount of knowledge in our sport and an incredible energy that will be contagious throughout our program, university and community. Stephen is a man with the highest level of character, maturity and work ethic. He will fit right in with the culture of TWU Gymnastics and the addition of him to our staff will make an immediate positive impact on our program," Bowerman stated.
 
Hood joins the Pioneers from the University of Central Florida where he was a member of the two-time World Champion Cheer Team. The four-year letterman also led the squad to a European Open Championship and a National Champion runner-up finish on three occasions.
 
Hood served as the Women's Team Coach and Women's Recreational Program Director for six years where he trained and mentored new staff, held various coaching positions at multiple levels, oversaw the developmental program, led various recreational programs, and kept up with facility maintenance and improvements.
 
The Florida native has been a Women's Coach for Flip Fest Summer Gymnastics Camp since 2012. At Flip Fest, Hood has served as permanent staff leader, lead coach for the highest level group the past two summers, and has led spotting and technique clinics for other camp coaches.
 
Hood said, "I am honored to represent Texas Woman's University and join Lisa and Kristen as we build upon the legacy that has been established within the gymnastics program. It's a blessing to be able to join a program with such similar values to my own, and think it will be smooth transition for everyone. I am excited to join the Pioneer Nation and help build this program to even greater heights."
 
Meyers moves up to the assistant role after working for two years as a graduate assistant under Bowerman. As a GA, Meyers assisted the reigning USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Champions in various areas such as helping with the development of beam and bar practice plans, creating team conditioning workouts, recording practice reports, arranging team travel, and other areas as needed.
 
"I am incredibly thankful that Kristen has chosen to remain at TWU as one of our assistant coaches. She has become an integral part of our program and our success over the last two years, and will continue to make an even greater impact in her new role this year. Kristen has a big passion for the sport of gymnastics and for impacting the student-athletes that she coaches. That passion and her experience will continue to help our program grow and succeed," Bowerman stated.
 
Before TWU, Meyers was a Student Assistant Coach and Manager for Utah State University gymnastics where she assisted with administrative tasks related to team development, recruitment and team travel. The Missouri native has also aided as a Camp Coach for Utah State, TWU and Wisconsin-Whitewater.
 
Meyers said, "I am so excited to have our staff complete heading into preseason. Stephen is going to be a great addition, and I can't wait to continue to build on the program's success this season. I'm also thrilled to step into an assistant role this year, after having been our graduate assistant for the past two years. We've got a lot to accomplish this season and I can't wait to get started."