DeKALB – NIU head gymnastics coach Sam Morreale has retired after 13 years at the helm of the program and 22 years on the team’s staff, NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier announced in an NIU Athletics news release Thursday.
“Under Coach Morreale, NIU gymnastics has been an exemplary program,” Frazier said in the release. “From winning the MAC Championship in 2019 to a number one national ranking in team GPA in 2021, he has elevated Huskie gymnastics in competition and in the classroom. We thank him for his dedication and his commitment throughout his time at NIU, going back to his days as a student-athlete here; we wish him all the best moving forward.”
Morreale, an NIU alum who joined the staff in 2003 before being promoted to head coach in June 2011, was a two-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year in 2017 and 2019. Under Morreale’s leadership, NIU gymnastics won its first-ever MAC Championship in 2019, produced 18 All-MAC selections and made 28 NCAA Regional appearances.
“I want to thank NIU and specifically NIU Athletics for the opportunity to lead the women’s gymnastics team over the last 13 seasons,” Morreale said. “I’m super proud of everything we accomplished.
“It is time to step down. This is where my chapter at NIU ends, but my book is definitely not over, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter. NIU gymnastics will always have a place in my heart and as the saying goes, once a Huskie always a Huskie.”
Associate Head Coach Dawnita “Nita” Teague has been named the team’s interim head coach.
