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Kristen Smyth not only has coached Stanford women's gymnastics to unprecedented success in her seven seasons, but has done so in her own unique style. It's no coincidence that the two go hand-in-hand. Yes, Stanford wins. And, yes, Stanford enjoys itself. "The one thing that stood out most to people who watched our team perform and compete was that our girls had so much fun," Smyth said. Their joy is not only evident at meets, but every day in practice. A typical session might find each gymnast wearing tie-dyed T-shirts they created together on a whim before practice, or standing in a line cheering for every tumbling pass during warmups. Smyth realizes that a true team concept may be foreign to many young gymnasts, but it is emphasized from the start at Stanford. "The entire SWG experience is about building relationships over time and having the student-athletes feel like they're part of a family," Smyth said. "They need to know that we care about them not only in the gym, but in their lives as well." Smyth has created a fun environment that is also challenging and dynamic, and prepares them so well for the pressure they will face at the end of the season to the point where there is no worry or lack of confidence. The work has been put in. Part of what makes the program so unique is Smyth's approach, a program based on five principles: family, belief, balance, passion and commitment. The goal is to foster individual and collective excellence without compromising their love of the sport or narrowing their horizons or academic potential. Cardinal gymnasts have bought in. None has transferred out of Stanford during Smyth's tenure, and her program has a 100 percent graduation rate. Smyth also has never failed to renew a scholarship. Smyth now returns for her eighth season following a successful 2008 in which the Cardinal reached the NCAA Super Six for the second consecutive year and fourth time in the past seven seasons. Stanford finished third in the country, tying the best finish in school history, and four of its gymnasts earned All-America recognition. Among them was Pacific-10 Gymnast of the Year Tabitha Yim, who completed her career with 14 All-America honors. In all, Smyth has coached 12 gymnasts to a total of 56 All-America honors. In addition, seven Stanford gymnasts won Academic All-American honors in 2008 for having grade-point averages of 3.50 or above. In all, Smyth has coached 20 different Academic All-Americans. Smyth arrived at Stanford in 2002 from Arizona State, where she spent five seasons (1997-2001), the final three as associate head coach. In 1998, she was named Regional Assistant Coach of the Year for her role in helping the Sun Devils to a sixth-place national finish. Prior to that, Smyth spent three years as a professional dancer in the Bay Area. While growing up, Smyth moved often as a child in a military family before graduating from Maryknoll School in Honolulu. She went on to Cal where she was a three-time All-America and three-time Academic All-America, and led the Bears to their best-ever national finish (eighth in 1992). She became the first gymnast inducted into the Cal Athletic Hall of Fame, in 2008. Smyth and her husband, Scott Green, have a daughter, Maya, and son, Zach. Team Accomplishments
Coaching Awards
Smyth's Stanford Coaching Record: | |||||||||||||
