Legendary Coach Margie Foster-Cunningham to Retire After 39 Years

GW Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel announced today that legendary gymnastics coach Margie Foster-Cunningham is retiring from coaching.

In 39 seasons at the helm of the George Washington University gymnastics program, GW's longest tenured head coach, and one of the longest tenured coaches in any sport in the country, Foster-Cunningham accomplished eye-popping numbers.

A four-time NCAA Region Coach of the Year, and an eight-time Conference Coach of the Year between two different conferences (Atlantic 10 and East Atlantic Gymnastic League), who brought 15 teams to NCAA Regional competition, Foster-Cunningham is walking away after almost four decades of excellence in the nation's capital. In the last two decades competing in EAGL, Foster-Cunningham has helped 62 gymnasts receive 172 All-Conference honors. 23 of those gymnasts went on to qualify for NCAA Regional competition. Additionally, 97 of her gymnasts have combined for 205 Academic All-EAGL certificates.

"For almost forty years and in five different decades I've had the honor of coaching some of the most remarkable women on Earth," said Cunningham. "That's not a job; it's a blessing. This program has never been about me. It's been about the women who made it what it is today. I'm just the fortunate one who was able to coach them and be able to see in them distinguished excellence, and to be on their journey in finding the next level and highest standard to be the best that they can be in all areas of their lives. To our hundreds of alumnae, not to mention my fellow coaches and administrators—too many of them to name—you are what made my career so special. With all of my heart, I'm so grateful."

The numbers only tell part of Foster-Cunningham's story. The matriarch of the university's coaching unit, she was looked upon not just by every GW gymnast who ever wore the Buff & Blue for leadership, but also by her coaching peers as she adeptly navigated through a career of changes in the NCAA landscape.

"When I reflect on Margie's storied career, I don't think about all of the success that her teams earned in competition. Margie's impact is seen in the incredible alumnae of this program who have graduated and gone on to make a much larger impact on our global society," identified GW Director of Athletics Tanya Vogel. "GW gymnastics' alumnae are changing the world, and so much of that is due to the program that Margie built. We are forever grateful and wish her, Jerry, Jeremiah, Jessie, Connor and their families all the very best!"

A student of sport herself, Foster-Cunningham always emphasized the process over the outcome, looking at life and athletics as an adventure to behold. Inspired by athletics titans like Muhammad Ali and Vince Lombardi, her leadership quest was one of a commitment to seeking intentional excellence, demanding that all set a standard of being the best they can be.

"Margie has set the bar for being a coach, teacher, mentor, colleague and a friend extremely high. She is in a class by herself," said GW Head Baseball Coach Gregg Ritchie. "I am so grateful for all that she has shared, taught and shown me. Margie has shown all of us how the Buff & Blue do it right, and she has done so daily in each of her 39 years, with an authentic, caring way while being one of the fiercest competitors that I have ever seen. She is a living definition of what a winner and champion looks like. Her love for GW, her student-athletes and the GW community has made her one of the most elite coaches to walk the Foggy Bottom campus. Her successes, both in the arena and in the lives of her student-athletes, are so vast that it has truly made her a living legacy. I will be forever grateful and so proud to have had Margie as a friend and confidante. Although I am sad to see her go, I am excited for her in the next part of her journey, as she watches with tremendous pride the program continue to thrive because of what she has concretely established over her years of passionate and dedicated service at GW."

It is that approach that led legions of GW gymnastics alumnae to identify that Foster-Cunningham was more than a gymnastics coach; she was someone who prepared them for what life held in store beyond Foggy Bottom.

"Margie was an exceptional coach who took a personalized approach to helping each individual reach their full potential," said GW alumna Meena Flynn. "She not only helped us achieve our goals in the gym, but also in our personal lives during very formative years. She instilled in us the importance of teamwork, work ethic, attitude, and showing up every day with energy and concrete goals. I am grateful for her ongoing guidance and support and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life."

Foster-Cunningham also coached six Conference Gymnast of the Year honorees: Kendall Whitman, Deja Chambliss and Cami Drouin-Allaire in EAGL and Devin McCalla, Darden Wilee and Alexis Hrynko in the Atlantic 10.

"Margie Cunningham Foster is synonymous with GW gymnastics," noted alumna Kristie Helfrich. "It is difficult to measure the incredible impact that she has made on the program and hundreds of women that have been lucky enough to be coached by her. She has built a team and community with shared values centered on a winning attitude, unwavering commitment and a hefty dose of grit. This is her legacy and I'm certain that GW gymnastics will continue to excel using these pillars of success."

A graduate from Penn State in 1982, Foster-Cunningham was a five-time All-American and led the Nittany Lions to a national championship in 1980. That year she was a finalist for the prestigious Broderick Award, given to the most outstanding collegiate gymnast. The Gloversville, NY, native represented the United States at the 1979 World University Games and helped the U.S. place third, its highest finish in the history of the Games at the time.

The owner of Chantilly Academy of Gymnastics in Northern Virginia, Foster-Cunningham is the proud mother of three adult children with her husband Jerry, all of whom are former collegiate student-athletes themselves.

A national search for the next head coach of GW gymnastics will begin immediately.

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