Sac State Mourns the Passing of Longtime Gymnastics Coach
Feb 27, 2025 02:24PM ● By Sacramento State University News ReleaseSACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento State University is
saddened to announce the passing of former Hornet gymnastics coach Randy
Solorio following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 63 years old.
A fixture on the Sacramento State campus for nearly 40 years, Solorio served as
an assistant coach, head coach and kinesiology instructor since 1986.
"The man loved Sac State, this was his home, and his family," current
head coach Melissa Genovese said. "Randy's impact goes far
beyond the gymnastics floor. Some could argue his ballroom dance class was the
most popular class on campus. You couldn't go anywhere on campus without
someone knowing Randy. His personality and love of life was contagious, and he
always looked at the positive side of everything. That outlook and his years of
dedication had a profound impact on Sac State gymnastics and every person he
met."
Solorio was the head coach of the Hornets from 2016-23. His first season at the
helm saw Sacramento State win the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
championship and saw four Hornet gymnasts advance to the NCAA West Regional.
That season, the team posted three top 10 overall scores, including the two
best scores in school history. His teams went on to add three more top 10 marks
and account for over half of the top totals in program history.
Following his retirement, Solorio remained close to the program, frequently
stopping by practice and serving as an analyst for the team's video streams of
home meets. One of his largest contributions to Sacramento State gymnastics
came to fruition this past summer when the team moved into its new training
facility. Solorio was instrumental in the creation and design of the facility
and worked closely with University Enterprises Inc., from a dream to
completion.
"This is a sad day for Sacramento State and we are mourning with his
family and loved ones," Director of Athletics Mark Orr said.
"Randy was a beloved member of the campus and left a positive impact on
countless people. He dedicated a large portion of his life to the University
and his legacy will carry on through the hundreds of student-athletes he
coached and the staff that he mentored."
Outside of gymnastics, Solorio taught ballroom dancing and weightlifting
classes for the kinesiology department and was also a member of the UEI board.
Throughout his life he starred in local theater, musicals and commercials in
Sacramento. Solorio regularly showcased his vocal skills by singing the
national anthem prior to meets where he was accompanied by his wife, Jori, and
daughter Kaycee.
Those efforts did not go unrecognized as he was named the West Region Assistant Coach of the Year in 1990 and 2006, the USA Gymnastics Assistant Coach of the Year in 1997 and the MPSF Assistant Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2015.
Solorio was elected to the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Committee in 2018 where he helped establish rule changes for the sport and oversaw the national championships. During his time on the committee, the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships reached new heights, setting record numbers for viewership and appearing on national broadcast television for the first time.
Prior to coaching, Solorio was a decorated gymnast himself, earning All-America honors on vault, high bar and floor exercise while competing for UC Davis from 1980-82. He finished his academic career at Sacramento State where he earned a bachelor of science in exercise science and master's in sports performance.
