San Jose, Calif.—Dr. Lori O'Dell, a member of the NorCal gymnastics community for over 18 years, joins the San José State University women's gymnastics program as a volunteer assistant coach, as announced by Spartan head coach Joanne Bowers.
Dr. O'Dell brings over 25 years of experience, dedication and achievement in arts and athletics to San José State. She has served as a compulsory through elite coach, choreographer, NCAA judge and meet director during this time. Dr. O'Dell was the NorCal State Judging Director from 2015 to present and has been a state and regional championships judge since 2009.
Some of her other accomplishments include:
•USA Gymnastics National Team Selection Camp – 2021
•Choreographer of the Year – NorCal Gymnastics – 2014-15
•NorCal and Region 1 Dance clinician – 2009-present
•Board Member, Region 1 and Northern California – USA Gymnastics & National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges – 2011-19
•Professional Dancer & International Ambassador – NFL – Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders – 2001-08
•Choreography & Dance Performances in South Korea, Japan, Qatar, United Kingdom & Africa – 2006-18
A former Division I scholarship gymnast, Dr. O'Dell earned a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Georgia and a Doctor of Education from California State University, Stanislaus. A resident of San Francisco, she serves as an adjunct faculty in music at various colleges throughout Northern California. She maintains an active coaching and choreography schedule, creating hundreds of routines each year.
"Dr. Lori O'Dell is an accomplished dancer, choreographer and judge who will bring those talents to our program in a huge way," said Bowers. "We cannot be more excited to welcome Lori to our Spartan family as a volunteer coach. She has high energy and will provide the choreography help we need the loss of our assistant Jeffrey Langenstein. This also opens the door for us to get another great technician and spotter for our open full-time assistant coach position. We are on the rise as a program, and Lori helps us to continue our journey."
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