Mel Goulding Named Head Acrobatics and Tumbling Coach

Canisius Vice President and Director of Athletics Bill Maher announced today (Dec. 24) that Mel Goulding has been named the first head coach of the University's recently added acrobatics and tumbling program.

Goulding joins the Canisius coaching staff after serving as an assistant coach for two years at Buffalo State. In her time at Buffalo State, she played an integral role in building the Bengal program from the ground up and was part of the staff when the Buffalo State acrobatics and tumbling team posted its first program victory. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, she assisted with the program's community involvement and fundraising efforts.

Before joining the Buffalo State staff, Goulding served as the head acrobatic and tumbling coach at Glenville State College, an NCAA Division II school located in Glenville, W. Va. In 2019, Goulding led the Lady Pioneers to a 6-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) poll. Glenville State also made it to the NCATA Nationals in five event finals, while four members of the team earned All-Mountain East Conference (MEC) honors. Additionally, at the inaugural MEC Championship, Glenville State earned multiple league titles in six-element acro, six-element tumbling and synchronized pyramid.

"I am excited to have Mel join our team as the first head coach of our acrobatics and tumbling program," Maher said. "As we move into the inaugural year of this program, having a veteran head coach who is a Western New York native and who is familiar with the national landscape of the sport will position us for success. I am thrilled that Mel has agreed to join our staff."

A Buffalo native who graduated from Depew High School, Goulding competed on the inaugural acrobatics and tumbling team as a student-athlete at Alderson Broaddus University in Phillippi, W. Va. There, she earned three varsity letters in acrobatics and tumbling while also earning her undergraduate degree in pre-law and international studies in 2017.

"I am honored to be named the first head acrobatics and tumbling coach at Canisius," Goulding said. "This is truly a dream come true. Not many people have the opportunity to create history in their hometown, and I am hopeful to make Buffalo and the University proud.

"I want to thank Bill Maher and Deputy Director of Athletics Lisa Liotta for allowing me to share the sport I love in my hometown and to continue creating opportunities for young women. I also want to thank Alia Stark, Jacquie Eshleman and the entire NCATA administration for their continued education and support in creating opportunities. I am humbled and excited to begin building this program and it is time to get to work. Go Griffs!"

Canisius announced the addition of the acrobatics and tumbling program, the University's 21st varsity program, on Nov. 1. The program is set to begin competition in the 2025-26 academic year.

Goulding will begin recruiting Canisius' inaugural roster immediately. Prospective student-athletes who would like to learn more about the Canisius program are encouraged to fill in the recruiting questionnaire available at THIS LINK.

Print Friendly Version