Coaches' Corner: Rick Suddaby at Ithaca College

Ithaca College gymnastics is built on connection, accountability, and a strong team culture. That starts well before an athlete even steps foot on campus. Head coach Rick Suddaby breaks down what recruits need to know about the program's evaluation process, athlete expectations, and what ultimately makes a successful college gymnast in their system.   Recruiting Process: From First Email to Offer   Ithaca begins its recruiting process by collecting information from gymnasts during their junior year of high school. Email is the primary entry point for recruits. Athletes are encouraged to reach out directly to express interest and begin communication. From there, recruits receive an informational follow-up and are asked to complete a recruit questionnaire.   As athletes move into their senior year, invited Level 10 gymnasts are brought to campus for one of their three Recruiting Events. These events include an Ithaca College Open House, a gymnastics informational presentation, and an opportunity to view practice and meet current team members. After these visits, communication continues as athletes progress through their senior seasons. Coaches track training updates and meet results, then begin extending offers in January. If necessary, additional “round two” offers are made to complete the roster.    What Coaches Look For   Ithaca prioritizes experienced Level 10 athletes who bring both ability and attitude to the program. The most important traits include:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Coachability</li>   <li>Team-first mentality</li>   <li>Desire to be part of a unified, cohesive program</li> </ul>   While all-around athletes are definitely considered, there is also flexibility in roster construction. Vaulting and bars are the toughest events, so athletes who excel in those events will shine.    What Stands Out in the Recruiting Process   Athletes who demonstrate strong difficulty, consistency, and execution will stand out, but performance alone isn't enough to stay on the radar. A key part of Ithaca's process is athlete communication and self-advocacy. Coaches emphasize that recruits should stay in consistent contact, share major updates and results, and send or tag coaches in videos when they achieve new skills or improvements. Coach Suddaby loves to be notified when there is something important a gymnast wants him to see.    The College Transition   One of the biggest adjustments for incoming gymnasts is the shift into a true team-based environment. At Ithaca, the team dynamic is central to the experience. For many athletes, college gymnastics is the first time they are fully immersed in a setting where unity, encouragement, and shared goals directly influence performance.    The program is also educationally focused, prioritizing athlete development over simple results. Coaches note that athletes who struggle most early on are often those who have not yet developed strong internal motivation. The athletes who thrive at Ithaca tend to share one key characteristic: ownership. Successful freshmen typically:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Buy into the team culture immediately</li>   <li>Take responsibility for their own progress</li>   <li>Commit fully to the coaching process</li>   <li>Show up ready to work consistently</li> </ul>   Recruiting Advice from Ithaca   The message to prospective collegiate gymnasts is direct: consistency is everything. Athletes are encouraged to train and compete consistently and stay proactive throughout the recruiting process. One of the most common mistakes, according to the staff, is hesitation. Holding back in communication, skill progression, or self-advocacy can limit opportunities. Confidence and initiative go a long way.    Program Insight: What Makes Ithaca Different   Ithaca describes its program as tightly knit, supportive, and driven. The team culture is built around mutual accountability and collective success. Beyond the gym, they offer a Leadership Academy that gymnasts can participate in. This program is a progressive academy teaching appropriate aspects of leadership at all levels on the team. Once accepted into the program, you learn what it takes to be a leader in your first year, and then progress to sophomore, junior, and senior skills.    The program also benefits from specialized support resources, including a dedicated lift coach focused on strength, speed, and injury prevention.   Who Fits at Ithaca?   The ideal Ithaca gymnast is both independent and coachable. Best-fit athletes tend to be self-reliant, team-oriented, open to coaching and growth, and invested in contributing to a unified culture. It's not just about fitting into a lineup; it's about fitting into a system.   Beyond Gymnastics   Ithaca College combines athletics with strong academic pathways, particularly in health sciences. May student-athletes pursue fields such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, and physician assistant studies. Others thrive in communications, business, and humanities programs.    The campus itself adds to the experience, with a vibrant student body and scenic views overlooking Cayuga Lake. For the gymnastics team, that environment translates into something simple but meaningful: a place they love being a part of every day.

Ithaca College gymnastics is built on connection, accountability, and a strong team culture. That starts well before an athlete even steps foot on campus. Head coach Rick Suddaby breaks down what recruits need to know about the program's evaluation process, athlete expectations, and what ultimately makes a successful college gymnast in their system.