The lights are shining bright and the air is electric as thousands of fans fill Barnhill Arena, eager to watch one of their star gymnasts take to the mat. In a sport defined by precision, there is no margin for hesitation - only preparation, trust, and years of unseen work. For Maine-Endwell Class of 2006 graduate Michelle Stout, those moments were never accidental. They were built long before the spotlight, in quiet gyms and carefully balanced schedules.
“With gymnastics I always had a very demanding training schedule and would at times miss class for competition. I was always appreciative of how caring the teachers were and their willingness to work with me so that I could excel at both my academic and athletic pursuits,” said Stout.
That Spartan support system became a defining part of her high school experience, particularly from educators who recognized both her workload and potential.
“Mrs. Gallagher, then assistant principle, was always someone who understood what I was working towards and would go out of her way to support,” she said.
Gymnastics had been a part of Stout’s life for as long as she can remember, and it had been woven into her family from the beginning.
“I started in gymnastics at a really young age and it was always a family affair. My older sister, Rachel Mauger (M-E Class of 2001), was a gymnast so I was following in her footsteps. My stepdad, Daile Van Patten, was also my coach at Southern Tier Gymnastics Academy (STGA) for many years. I was always somewhat of a daredevil as a child and loved the thrill of flipping and flying through the air. I also think the pursuit of perfection and reaching for a 10.0 was a strong motivator for me in the sport. The sport immediately aligned with her personality,” said Stout.
It was off to the races from there. From the moment she first stepped onto the beam, Stout’s goal was clearer than ever, and she never stopped moving forward. Her gymnastics career would excel throughout her high school days, with her pursuit for greatness eventually leading her to the University of Arkansas, where opportunity and timing aligned.
Arkansas had a great combination of athletics and academics. For the sports side, the gymnastics program was only in its 5th year of existence when I arrived as a freshman. It gave me the opportunity to be a part of the foundation of the program and a lot of firsts which were exciting,” said Stout.
Those “firsts” would come to define her collegiate career. Among them: becoming the program’s first All-American - a milestone that carries even greater in her life today.
“Honestly, that accomplishment is something that has become more meaningful with time. In the moment, I was competing to do my best and support my team. I didn’t fully recognize the impact of being the first All-American. Now that I have been removed from the sport for several years, I am really proud that I was able to pave the way for future gymnasts and help advance the program. I’ve had a few records that have been tied or broken, but no one can take away being the first of something so that is really special,” said Stout.
Athletic accolades aside, Stout also excelled academically, completing both her bachelor’s degree in business administration and her master’s in sport management. Following graduation, her passion for athletics evolved beyond competition and into leadership and student development.
“While a student-athlete, I became fascinated with the inner workings of collegiate athletics and the people behind the scenes that make it all happen,” said Stout.
That curiosity sparked a career dedicated to supporting student-athletes, first at Arkansas where she was a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student-Athlete Success, then at Texas A&M where she earned her first full-time position as a Learning Specialist. She’d spent five-and-a-half years in that position before transitioning to the University of Florida where she assumed the position of Director of Learning Services, later returning to Texas A&M. She currently serves as the Assistant Athletics Director for Learning Services and Sport Administrator for Women’s Golf.
“In this role, I oversee the learning support services programming and staff for all student-athletes. I also have oversight of our Women’s Golf program, so I get the opportunity to work more directly with that team,” said Stout.
For Stout, the most meaningful victories no longer come from scoreboards, but something much bigger.
“Being competitive and winning is great, but I honestly think the small daily successes are the ones that fill my cup the most. I love working with student-athletes and helping them develop in all facets of their life. It’s been really rewarding to give back and hopefully be a small part in creating an impactful and first class experience for all of our student-athletes. As I have transitioned into more administrative roles, I have really enjoyed pouring into our staff and coaches as well," said Stout.
Looking back, she credits Maine-Endwell with helping shape the discipline and mindset that fueled both her athletic and professional journeys.
“M-E gave me a strong foundation to be successful. I built a lot of life skills during high school such as discipline and critical thinking that have endured throughout my life and professional career,” said Stout.
From balance beams to boardrooms, Michelle Stout’s story reflects the same precision and perseverance that defined her routines - a reminder that the lessons built early on often echo far beyond graduation.