SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr has named Melissa Genovese the head coach of the Hornet gymnastics team, it was announced today.

"There are very few people with a passion for Hornet gymnastics greater than Melissa's," Orr said. "Throughout this process, she has shown the skills and experience necessary to lead the team. She has a strong vision for the program and it will be exciting watching her make it a reality."

Genovese began her Sacramento State career as a student-athlete from 2005-08. During that span, she was part of three conference championship teams and qualified for an NCAA regional all four years. As a senior, Genovese set the Sacramento State record with a 9.950 on beam in her final home routine — a score which was not matched until this season. She also is tied for third place with a 9.925 and has four 9.900s to tie for ninth.
 
She holds the school record for single-season and career national qualifying score (NQS) marks on beam, ranks among the top five in program history for NQS all-around and is in the top 10 for all-around average. Her sixth-place finish in the all-around at an NCAA regional is tied for the highest placement in school history. Genovese also earned the highest national ranking in any event as she was ranked sixth on beam as a senior before ending the year ranked ninth in the event.

Following graduation, Genovese began her coaching club coaching career in Southern California before returning as an assistant coach in August of 2015. She was elevated to associate head coach in 2019 and served as acting head coach during parts of the last two years while Randy Solorio was on medical leave.

"I am beyond excited and grateful to become the next head coach for women's gymnastics at Sacramento State," Genovese said. "A big thank you to Mark Orr, President (Robert) Nelsen and all administration in selecting me for this opportunity. This program has a long and proud legacy of success, and has given me more than can be put into words. I am extremely humbled to now have the opportunity to build on what Hornet gymnastics is and lead this program to heights it's never seen before. I'm ready to hit the ground running, the work begins immediately to make Hornet Nation proud.

"I want to thank Kim Hughes, Randy Solorio, the alumni and all that have supported Hornet gymnastics through the many years. Hornet gymnastics would not be what it is without you. My family bleeds green and gold, and my five nieces have already mastered 'Stingers Up' and are ready for a successful season in The Nest. I couldn't be more thankful."

Genovese has served as the team's beam coach throughout her tenure, resulting in five of the 10 best scores in program history. This past season, the team had a high of 49.225 on beam in a three-team meet at San Jose State which ranks as the third best mark in the Sacramento State record book.

Individually, she has coached five athletes to an NCAA regional appearance as a beam specialist and has has seen her gymnasts score 9.9 or better on beam 15 times. This past season, Amber Koeth was named the MPSF Specialist of the Week and tied Genovese's school record with a 9.950 on beam in her final performance at The Nest.