BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe today announced the hiring of Stacy Bills and Morgan St. Pierre as co-coaches of the Cougarettes. The two will take over from longtime coach Jodi Maxfield who is retiring after 30 years and 19 national championships.
“Stacy and Morgan bring a wealth of dance, teaching and choreography experience to the Cougarettes,” said Holmoe. “We believe they will continue the success of the program with their own flare and unique abilities. As former Cougarette captains, their passion for the program will certainly be seen and felt in future team performances.”
Originally from Provo, Utah, Bills attended BYU on dance scholarship where she was a member of the Cougarettes for three years and dance captain twice. She was featured on the nationally televised shows, So You Think You Can Dance and Star Search, where she made it to the finals. Bills was crowned Miss Utah in 2003 and was a non-finalist talent award winner at Miss America. She later performed with the professional company, Odyssey Dance Theatre.
Since 2003, Bills has directed dance at various studios including Prodigy Performing Arts (Dallas), Center Stage Performing Arts (Orem), Denise Sabala Studio and Studio North Academy of the Performing Arts (Chicago). In 2013, 2017, 2019 the studios she worked for were named National Studio of the Year. Bills also trained National Best Dancer award winners in 2013, 2016 and 2017 and was nominated for the National Choreographer of the Year in 2013 and 2019.
Bills studied exercise science at BYU. She is married to former BYU football safety KC Bills. The couple have five children.
“I’m thrilled to be able to return to the university that I’ve always loved and the Cougarette program that has given me so much,” said Bills. “It’s an unbelievable opportunity to help these incredible dancers perform at the highest level and represent BYU. I am so excited to work with Morgan, my longtime friend and colleague. We shared the Cougarette experience together and look forward to carrying on the exceptional Cougarette legacy. I express deep appreciation to Tom Holmoe, Liz Darger and the administration for their trust, and of course a special thanks to Jodi Maxfield for making the program what it is today. We can’t wait to get started on this journey!”
St. Pierre came to BYU from Cottonwood Heights, Utah, where she became a four-year member of the Cougarettes and served as an officer for two years. As a dancer, St. Pierre performed at the Daytime Emmy Awards, as a company member of StarStruck Dance Academy and performed with the Cougarettes at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
For nearly 20 years, St. Pierre has taught and choreographed for studios and dance teams throughout Utah, Idaho, Colorado and Hawaii, including two years as the assistant coach of the Cougarettes under Maxfield. She has coached and choreographed dance for Utah Dance Artists (Salt Lake), Hi-Light Dance Academy (Alpine) and was the head drill team coach at Bingham High School, where she led the Minerettes to five state titles in seven years. St. Pierre has also won several choreography, costuming and performance awards associated with her work, locally, nationally and internationally at the New Prague Dance Festival.
St. Pierre studied industrial design at BYU. She is married to current BYU rugby head coach Steve St. Pierre. The couple have three children.
“I’m overwhelmed and grateful to Tom Holmoe and Liz Darger for trusting Stacy and me with this legendary program. We understand the Cougarette legacy and can’t wait to help shape its future,” said St. Pierre. “The Cougarette program is very dear to me and the chance to work alongside these talented dancers is exciting. I appreciate Jodi Maxfield and how her influence helped shaped the woman I am today. I’m humbled to share this opportunity with such an accomplished friend and professional in Stacy. We look forward to getting started.”
Updated information about the Cougarettes audition process for 2020 can be found online at BYUcougars.com. More information will follow as it becomes available.