OLLU Welcomes New Spirit Assistant Coach
SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 13, 2023) – Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) has announced the hiring of Joe Gonzalez as the Assistant Coach for the university's Spirit teams, including Cheer, Dance and Drum Line.
Gonzalez is also the assistant cheer coach for TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio. He spent a year at the University of the Incarnate Word as Head Coach for Cheer. While there, he was responsible for all aspects of the program, including training the team in stunts, tumbling, jumps, pyramids and safety. He prepared the team for performances and appearances and managed community service activities.
Spirit Head Coach Crystal Brock said, "We are blessed to have Coach Gonzalez join our Spirit program. Joe brings many years of competitive cheerleading experience and new charisma to our growing program. Having him onboard will elevate our standards and help us reach our team goals. OLLU welcomes him and his family on this new journey, and I look forward to building our Cheer and Dance legacy alongside a great coach."
Before UIW, Gonzalez was at San Antonio Spirit as tumbling director and floor manager and the University of Texas at San Antonio as head coach.
Gonzalez also worked as cheer head coach at Samuel Champion High School in Boerne, Texas, and at Pinnacle Cheer Company as floor manager, instructor, coach and mentor.
He has been a judge for cheer organizations such as WSA, American Cheer Power and UCA. He is part of the NFSA Coaches Rules Committee for Cheerleading and Gymnastics, where he creates and designs the rules for all cheerleading in high, middle, and junior high schools.
Gonzalez has won three collegiate national titles, as well as multiple high school and all-star national titles.
Earlier in his career, Gonzalez was part of the Austin Cheer Factory, the San Antonio Spurs Coyote Crew.
'I'm really looking forward to working with OLLU Spirit and sharing my 25 years of experience and knowledge with them," Gonzalez commented. "I would also like to thank Crystal Brock and the OLLU athletic department for giving me this opportunity. I'm Extremely excited to begin this journey. Wings up, Saints!"
Gonzalez spent three years at Navarro College, where he was also part of the cheer team. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Ken. He is a Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist.