BUFFALO, NY – Buffalo State College has selected Alia Stark as the first head coach of the acrobatics and tumbling team at Buffalo State, Director of Athletics Renee Carlineo announced on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Stark will prepare the program to begin its inaugural season of competition in the 2023-24 school year.
"We are thrilled to welcome Alia Stark as the first head coach of the Buffalo State acrobatics and tumbling program," Carlineo said. "Alia's extensive coaching experience at two of the premier acrobatics & tumbling programs in the country, and her demonstrated commitment to academic and athletic excellence are exactly what we were looking for in the leader of this program.
"Alia holds a great reputation as a mentor of young women, and an architect of strong relationship building with student-athletes and staff. Her vision and coaching philosophy fit perfectly with our department, our college, and our community. I am excited to see what the future holds for Buffalo State acrobatics and tumbling as Alia begins to build this program."
Stark comes to Buffalo State after a year-long stint in Waco, TX as assistant coach for national powerhouse Baylor University and legendary acrobatics and tumbling coach Felecia Mulkey. She helped lead the Bears to a perfect 11-0 record and the 2022 National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championship.
While at Baylor, Stark coached three All-Americans, including NCATA Division I Athlete of the Year Emily Tobin and NCATA Division I Specialist of the Year Bayley Humphrey. She also served as an academic liaison for the program, helping to guide her student-athletes to a 3.36 cumulative GPA in the spring semester and Academic All-America honors for one student-athlete, Kamryn Kitchens.
Prior to Baylor, Stark spent four years as an assistant coach at Gannon University. During her time at Gannon, the Golden Knights reached a NCATA poll-ranking of fifth in the country, and qualified for the 2018 and 2019 NCATA Championship tournament as one of the nation's top eight programs. She also coached the Golden Knights to a national championship in the 2018 inversion pyramid event.
Stark completed her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon in 2021.
"I am extremely excited to create history at Buffalo State," Stark said. "Being the first school in Buffalo and New York State to add acrobatics and tumbling, we are creating incredible opportunities for women in athletics in our community."
"I want to thank Renee Carlineo and the entire Buffalo State administration for this opportunity. I also want to thank Coach Jacquie Eshleman, Coach Felecia Mulkey, and the entire NCATA administration for their passion and hard work in creating endless opportunities for women like me."
An excellent student-athlete herself, Stark starred for the acrobatics and tumbling team at Alderson Broaddus University from its inaugural season in 2013 until her graduation. She earned a trio of NCATA All-American honors from 2015-17, and won a pair of national titles, including the open toss national championship in 2016, and the 7-element acro event in 2015.
Stark graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2017, boasting a 3.65 cumulative GPA with Dean's List recognition in six semesters. She was also recognized as the Battlers' Senior Female Athlete of the Year, and earned ECAC All-Conference and All-Academic team honors.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ALIA
"In Coach Stark's short time at Baylor she made a huge impact. She is a selfless servant leader who works tirelessly to create an outstanding student-athlete experience for the members of her team. I am excited for the future Buffalo State student-athletes who will benefit from her guidance and for the entire Buffalo State community as she introduces Acrobatics and Tumbling to the state of New York!"
-Felecia Mulkey, Baylor University Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach, 11-time NCATA National Champion Coach
"I know Alia will do an amazing job at Buffalo State College. She is an amazing recruiter, and will continue to thrive in that area. Alia is excellent at creating and maintaining relationships with her athletes because she is always there for them. She will be an incredible asset to the Buffalo State athletic department. We [My family and I] are excited to have her be so close to us once again. Congrats on hiring Alia!"
-Jacquie Eshleman, Gannon University Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach
"Alia is such an incredible coach and mentor! She was the person I looked up to throughout my entire student-athlete career and she was always there to lift me up and hold me to the highest standard. She is always there for her athletes and will go above and beyond for them! She will celebrate every single accomplishment with her athletes and make them feel like they are seen and heard both while and after they are her athletes! She has been one of my biggest supporters and mentors since I have graduated! Any student athlete will be lucky to call her their coach! I cannot wait to see the amazing things I know she is going to accomplish at Buffalo State College!"
-Nikki Pizzi, Notre Dame College Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach
"I really enjoyed getting to know Coach Alia this past year. She brought a lot to the team with her experience as a former A&T athlete. She was so positive and encouraging every step of the way. I wish her the best of luck on her new adventure!"
-Emily Tobin, Baylor University, two-time NCATA National Champion, two-time NCATA All-American, 2021 & 2022 NCATA Athlete of the Year
"Coach A was always so kind and eager to help us become better athletes and people. Her expertise and wisdom was an amazing addition to our program and we will miss her so much. I can't wait to see what the future holds for her and the impact she continues to make on the sport!
-Katie Shiffer, Baylor University, two-time NCATA National Champion, two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection
"Thank you for everything Coach A! Thank you for constantly pushing us and encouraging us to best our best. I am going to miss you so much and I am so excited for you and your new journey!"
-Riley Chimwala, Baylor University, two-time NCATA National Champion, two-time NCATA All-American
