Wilberforce University Director of Athletics Roosevelt Barnes has announced the hiring of Alaska Richardson as the next Head Gymnastics Coach, effective immediately. 

Richardson previously served as a volunteer coach with the program during the 2025-26 season and brings an extensive background in collegiate gymnastics, student-athlete development, choreography, and academic support to the position. 

"Alaska has already demonstrated a tremendous commitment to our student-athletes and the continued growth of our gymnastics program," said Barnes. "Her experience as both a coach and mentor, combined with her passion for developing young women academically, athletically, and personally, made her the ideal choice to lead our program into its next chapter." 

Richardson currently serves as a gymnastics coach and choreographer at the Gymnastics Training Center of Ohio, where she trains competitive gymnasts on vault, balance beam, and floor exercise while also designing and choreographing routines that meet competition standards.  

In addition to her coaching experience, Richardson has spent several years working in collegiate academic services, including positions at The University of Toledo as a Learning Specialist/Tutorial Coordinator and Assistant Academic Coordinator & Academic Coach. In those roles, she mentored student-athletes, coordinated academic support services, developed retention initiatives, and collaborated closely with coaches and administrators to promote student success.  

Richardson also previously served as a volunteer coach and choreographer with the gymnastics program at Bowling Green State University, where she assisted in improving team performance, skill development, and team culture while helping construct collegiate-level floor routines.  

A former scholarship gymnast at West Virginia University from 2009-2013, Richardson was a member of the 2012 EAGL Championship team and earned recognition on both the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll during her collegiate career.  

Richardson has also been actively involved in growing the sport of gymnastics within underrepresented communities, serving as a Lead Gymnastics Coach at Camp Isla® for Brown Girls Do Gymnastics. Her commitment to mentorship, inclusion, and opportunity aligns with Wilberforce University's continued mission of expanding access within collegiate gymnastics. 

"As head coach of the ONLY HBCU in the nation with an active competitive gymnastics program, it is my purpose and passion to establish a positive result-driven team who is accountable, resilient, and committed to succeed in and out of the gym," said Richardson. "Together, I am confident we can continue to grow our legacy as a deserving and promising team." 

Wilberforce University continues to play a pivotal role in the advancement and visibility of gymnastics within the HBCU landscape. Under Richardson's leadership, the Bulldogs will continue building upon that momentum while striving for competitive and academic excellence.