PROVO, Utah — BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago has named Natalie Broekman head gymnastics coach.
“We are excited to name Natalie Broekman the head coach of BYU gymnastics and look forward to the program taking the next step forward under her leadership,” Santiago said. “Natalie brings continuity and the ability to uniquely lift, build and empower her student-athletes. She is all in on BYU and what we’re about here. The future is very bright for BYU gymnastics.”
Broekman joined the BYU coaching staff in 2015 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2021. She has helped build eight of the top 10 scoring teams in BYU history. She has been the primary balance beam coach and assisted with student-athlete development, recruiting, summer camps, team promotion, community outreach, competitions and alumni relations. As BYU’s primary beam coach, she was instrumental in developing All-American Elease Rollins and guided Brynlee Andersen-Broekman to qualify for the 2025 NCAA National Championship as an individual competitor on beam. In total, Broekman has contributed in the development of four All-Americans and three national-championship qualifiers.
“I am honored and grateful to serve as the next head coach of BYU Gymnastics and am grateful for the trust of President Shane Reese and Athletic Director Brian Santiago,” Broekman said. “This program has shaped me as a lifelong fan, former student-athlete and coach. The tangible, positive momentum surrounding BYU Athletics inspires me. With the support of BYU’s administration, the athletic department and our passionate fans, we will elevate this team to a new level of national relevance. Together with my coaching staff, my commitment is to empower each of our gymnasts to dream big and compete boldly in a culture of excellence, accountability and joy. My heart bleeds blue forever. Go Cougs.”
Broekman was named the WCGA North Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year and MRGC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2021. That same season she helped lead BYU to an MRGC Conference Championship. Broekman also served as a representative on the WCGA Board of Directors - North Central Region in 2024.
The Cougars have competed in postseason competition at various NCAA regional sites every year Broekman has been with the program. BYU has finished in the top 25 nationally six times during her tenure, including a No. 22 final ranking in 2026.
During her time as the primary beam coach, Broekman has coached six of BYU’s top 10 beam scores of all time. This includes the Cougars’ third-highest beam score in program history, recorded on the road this season in an upset of Clemson.
Before her time on the BYU staff, Broekman coached at Gold Medal Gymnastics in Chandler, Arizona under the direction of Olympic gold medalist Amanda Borden. She also coached at Arizona Olympian Gymnastics for nine years.
Broekman was a member of the BYU gymnastics team from 1996-99, coached by Brad and Dawn Cattermole and Shauna Mertz. She was an NACGC-W All-American on the balance beam in 1996. She was the team captain during the 1999 season and broke the school all-around record that season with a score of 39.475.
Broekman was a U.S. Elite National Team Member from 1992-94.
Broekman has a bachelor’s degree in family science from BYU. She and her husband, David, have four children. Her parents were both BYU student-athletes — father Joe Emig (lacrosse) and mother Lori Christensen Emig (track and field). Her younger sister Lindsay was also a gymnast at BYU from 2001-02.
Broekman and Santiago will appear together on BYU SportsNation Tuesday, May 5 at 10:20 a.m. MT for Broekman's first media appearance as head coach.
it’s always been BYU pic.twitter.com/yvQIwzrGIk
— BYU Gymnastics (@BYU_Gymnastics) May 4, 2026