Biggin Signs Extension Through 25-26 Season
6/20/2024 2:43:00 PM | Gymnastics
KENT- Kent State head gymnastics coach Brice Biggin has signed a two-year contract extension, through the 2025-26 season as announced by Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Randale L. Richmond.
"Coach Biggin is synonymous with Kent State Gymnastics and he continues to elevate the gymnastics program to new heights," Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randale L. Richmond said. "He personifies our mission to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sport and winning championships, I am excited for the future of Kent State Gymnastics under his leadership."
Kent State is coming off an extremely successful season that saw the Flashes earn a regular season co-championship in the Mid-American Conference and a trip to the Ann Arbor regional. The Flashes earned their highest national ranking, checking it at 23rd at the end of the regular season. The Flashes were the lone MAC squad in the top-25, ranking 17th on floor and 26th on vault.
Biggin has been a part of the gymnastics program at Kent State since 1980 when he began his four-year career as a member of the men's gymnastics team. He was a four-year letterwinner and two-year team captain, helping the Flashes to a Great Lakes League Championship in his senior season.
Upon graduation, he immediately transitioned into his coaching career, serving as an assistant coach for the men's program from 1983-85. He officially joined the women's gymnastics program in 1985 as the first graduate assistant in program history under legendary head coaches Rudy and Janet Bachna. Biggin was appointed associate head coach in 1987 before taking over as head coach in 1992.
"I am so appreciative of the support and confidence that Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randale Richmond has in giving me this extension!" Biggin said enthusiastically. "Kent State is a special place to coach at and being able to continue leading the Women's Gymnastics team means the world to me. It has truly been an honor to be able to lead this team for the past 33 years and I look forward to seeing what this team will accomplish in the next 2 years!"
In his 33 years at the helm of Kent State, Biggin has been selected the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year 11 times, the Northeast Region Coach of the Year twice and the Central Region Coach of the Year in 2001.
He's led the Flashes to 24 team regional appearances including an NCAA Championship appearance in 2011. That coaching effort earned him National Coach of the Year accolades.
Individuals have shined under Biggin's leadership. He coached Marie Case to All-America honors in all-around in 2014 and Rachel Stypinski to All-America honors in three different disciplines (bars, beam and floor exercise) in 2017 and 2018. On the regional level, four gymnasts took home titles. Twenty-six gymnasts have won Mid-American Conference specialty awards including eight Gymnasts of the Year.
The 2024-25 gymnastics season begins with the annual Blue and Gold Scrimmage in December.
