Tianga to Lead Acrobatics & Tumbling into Inaugural Season in 2027-28
7/6/2026 11:09:00 AM | Acrobatics & Tumbling
Fairfield, Conn. – Sacred Heart University Executive Director of Athletics Judy Ann Riccio announced a familiar face among the Acrobatics & Tumbling space, Nicolette Tianga, as the department's first ever Acrobatics & Tumbling Head Coach. A 2023 National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Champion, Tianga will lead the Pioneers in their inaugural season in 2027-28.
"I am delighted to welcome Nicolette to our Sacred Heart Athletics family and look forward to watching her build the program from its foundation," said Riccio. "Nicolette brings a unique set of qualities both as a coach and a former student-athlete. Her background as an athlete and passion for acrobatics and tumbling make her a great fit for Sacred Heart."
A fast-paced, team-based discipline in which athletes perform a series of synchronized skills, acrobatics & tumbling was originally added to the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in 2020. At this past winter's NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. acrobatics & tumbling was elevated to a championship sport, with the first NCAA national championship projected to take place in spring 2027.
"It is truly a blessing to be named the head coach of the Acro & Tumbling program at Sacred Heart University," said Tianga. "Acro & Tumbling has shaped who I am, first as a student-athlete and then as a coach, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program. The past three years as an assistant coach have prepared me for this moment, and I look forward to building a culture of hard work, accountability, and trust from day one. Having the opportunity to build this program from the ground up is incredibly meaningful, and I am excited to establish a strong foundation that will inspire excellence, create lasting traditions, and make the Sacred Heart community proud. Go Pioneers!"
A native of Deer Park, N.Y., Tianga comes to Sacred Heart by way of in-state foe Quinnipiac where she served as an assistant coach at her alma mater for the 2025-26 season. While with the Bobcats, Tianga helped lead Quinnipiac to four individual event titles and an appearance in the title match at the 2026 NCATA National Championship held at Azusa Pacific.
No stranger to the Bobcats, Tianga was a member of the QU A&T program for four years from 2019-23, culminating her career with the individual title in the inversion pyramid in 2023, one of four individual titles for the Bobcats that season.
Prior to rejoining her alma mater, Tianga was an assistant coach for two seasons at Long Island University.
Tianga earned a Bachelor of Arts in film, television and media arts with a minor in sports studies from Quinnipiac in May 2023.
