Emily Buffington, will be leading the way with our Acrobatics & Tumbling Program! We are excited to have her and see how this program will progress in the coming weeks and years ahead!
A proud Texas native, Coach Emily has blended a stellar athletic career with a deep commitment to her Christian faith, crafting a life dedicated to excellence and service. Graduating from The Colony High School in 2017, she excelled both academically and athletically, finishing in the top 13% of her class and was inducted into the National Honor Society her first year of eligibility. Coach Emily started her athletic journey as a competitive gymnast. Achieving notable honors in gymnastics, her impressive achievements included being a Level 7 State Floor Champion and a Top 100 national ranking on Vault and All-Around. As well as Regional Titles on Vault and Bars for Level 7 and Regional Title on Bars for Level 8. After retiring from gymnastics, she was a member of the TCHS Varsity Cheerleading squad her final two years of high school and received NCA All-American both years. Her professional journey began with a distinguished five-year tenure with the NCA, where she was nominated for the NCA Staff Rookie of the Year award in her debut year. Fun fact, Coach Emily also played the Violin for 7 years and was in the Top Orchestra all 4 years of High School.
Continuing her journey of excellence, Coach Emily pursued a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Wellness Management with a Minor in Psychology at East Texas Baptist University, where she graduated Cum Laude in 2020. Her college years were marked by her leadership roles in PSI Gamma Honor Society, PI Gamma Mu Honor Society, and as a Thrive Program Mentor. As a member of the inaugural ETBU Acrobatics & Tumbling Team, she contributed to the team’s success and was honored with a spot on the NCATA All-Academic Team for three years.
Following her undergraduate studies, Coach Emily earned an MBA from King University in Bristol, TN in 2022, maintaining a 3.7 GPA and was the Graduate Assistant for the Acrobatics & Tumbling Team at King University, she played a crucial role in guiding the team to an 8-2 record and a third-place finish in their Conference in the 2021-22 season. Her foundational experience at a local tumbling gym enriched her expertise in techniques and practice planning.
After her graduation from King, Coach Emily was then hired by Adrian College to help lead the Acrobatics & Tumbling team in January 2023. She led her team to a first-ever major trip to Texas for the NCATA DIII National Tournament. Under her leadership, the team qualified for four different individual events in 2023, showcasing their competitive edge and dedication. Despite facing challenges with lower numbers, she fostered a supportive environment where athletes felt heard and enjoyed their sport. Her efforts were reflected in the team's continued success, with one individual event qualifying for the DIII Tournament again this past year, highlighting her resilience and commitment to the growth of Acrobatics & Tumbling at the DIII level.
Throughout her career, Coach Emily has remained steadfast in her Christian faith, a cornerstone of her life and work. Raised in a Christian home and attending church weekly, she relies on her faith through both challenges and triumphs. With a mission aligned with the values of The Rock, Coach Emily is dedicated to sharing her faith through her coaching, embodying the character and integrity that inspire and uplift young athletes.
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