Katie Heenan Dodson, former All-American and Honda Award Winner, has joined the University of Georgia Gymnastics staff as volunteer coach, head coach Courtney Kupets Carter announced Tuesday.

“We are thrilled to add Katie to our staff,” Kupets Carter said. “DawgNation will remember her incredible gymnastics and having her back on the floor in Stegeman will be very exciting. Her knowledge and love for the sport, as well as loyalty to the University of Georgia, is evident in all she does. I’m so glad she will be here to help bring the program added success.”

“I am beyond thrilled to be coming back to Georgia to work with the team and staff,” Heenan Dodson said.  “As an alumni, I have always felt like I was still part of the program in a small way, but I am excited to now be a part of the day-to-day, face-to-face workings of the team and staff.  I have known Courtney since we were pre-teens, and I have always admired her for the person that she is, her determination, and tenacity. I am honored to be able to coach with her and the rest of the GymDog staff who exude excellence. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.”

As a gymnast at the University of Georgia, Heenan Dodson was a 13-time All-American, being recognized on all four events and in the all-around.  She was a part of four team national championships from 2005-2008 and scored two perfect 10’s on vault and floor. 

During Heenan Dodson’s time as a GymDog, Georgia brought home three SEC Championships and she earned four crowns of her own.  She was named SEC Champion on beam in 2005, vault in 2008, and in the all-around in 2005 and 2007, sharing the title with Kupets Carter.  She was also named SEC Gymnast of the Year in 2007 and earned All-SEC accolades all four years at Georgia.  Additionally, she holds the record for the most career points within the Georgia program with 2322.1688. 

Since graduating with a degree in Education in 2009, Heenan Dodson has coached at the club level at Bio Gymnastics and Athletics Unlimited and the Gwinnett Gymnastics Center alongside assistant coach Josh Overton. She has done choreography for various gymnastics clubs, including the prestigious Chow’s Gymnastics. She currently teaches at St. John Bosco Academy. 

She is married to former UGA baseball player Stephen Dodson and the couple has four children- Charlie (9, 2009), Lainey (6, 2013), Mary Claire (4, 2015), Caroline (1, 2018).