After just its second year as a program, the Quincy University stunt team has made significant strides under coach Diane Shoemaker, culminating in her being named Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Coach of the Year.

Shoemaker quickly built a competitive team that showed marked improvement throughout the season. The Hawks demonstrated their growth not only in performance but also in recognition across the conference. Five athletes earned GLVC All-Conference honorable mention honors, and the team received the overall Sportsmanship Team Award, underscoring both their talent and character.

The rapid development of the program has helped set a strong foundation for the future of stunt at Quincy. Shoemaker emphasized that the team’s success is rooted in its culture and commitment to improvement.

She said she did not anticipate receiving such a prestigious award so early in her tenure, especially while building a new program from the ground up.

“To be recognized was a real acknowledgment of the progress that we have made as a team, I think it’s unique in the sport of stunt how supportive the coaches’ network is. I am not from a top-seeded program; I am coaching a program from the very bottom all the way up, and that recognition meant a lot to me. I was obviously surprised, and it meant a lot to feel that the work I’m doing and the growth we are achieving here at Quincy is being noticed,” Shoemaker said.

Players credit Shoemaker’s leadership style as a key factor in the team’s success. Sophomore Tanna Trone said the trust the athletes place in their coach has played a major role in the program’s development.

“Coach has helped shape our team into what it is today by helping us grow. She not only helps us grow in our sport but also helps us navigate personal challenges. She tries to make practice fun but still productive, and I think that’s why we have improved so much from last year,” Trone said.

Sophomore Josey Miller, one of the team’s All-Conference honorees, echoed those sentiments and highlighted the team’s progress both athletically and culturally.

“This season has been a huge growth year for us and has put our program on the map; we have improved a lot athletically as well as in our team culture. We started with a home opener and got some big wins right away, which set the tone for the rest of the season. We face tough competition in the GLVC, but we were definitely more competitive this year. Our team as a whole has grown tremendously,” Miller said.

Despite competing against top Division I programs, the Hawks consistently scored points and held their own throughout the season, reflecting their determination and steady improvement.

With a strong foundation now in place, Shoemaker and her team are focused on continuing that upward trajectory. The Hawks are already looking ahead to next season, aiming to build on this year’s success and further establish themselves as a competitive force in the conference.

Their achievements this season signal a promising future for Quincy University stunt.