Sandy Thielz defined excellence as a coach, faculty member, and international level judge. She was an outstanding gymnast at Southern Connecticut State College where she was a member of the US Training Squad for both the 1967 Pan Am Games and the 1968 Olympics. She spent 32 years as a faculty member and 22 years as a coach at West Chester University. During her tenure she developed one of the premier women’s gymnastics programs in the country. Her teams went to five Division II National Championships, won the 1983 NCAA Regional Championship, and placed third in the 1980 AIAW Nationals (pre-curser to NCAA’s). She mentored 8 All-Americans and was Regional Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1983.

When not coaching, Sandy was a national and international judge. For almost 30 years she traveled the country and the world judging gymnastics in international exhibitions, the Pan Am Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the World University Games. In 1996, she was a line judge at the Atlanta Olympic Games. Sandy judged USGF Junior and Senior Nationals, as well as DGWS Collegiate Nationals. She also served on committees ranging from the AIAW National Gymnastics Committee (1979-82) to the NCAA National Gymnastics Committee (1987-1993, 99-2003).

Sandy has promoted the sport through numerous clinics and exhibitions to elementary, middle, and high schools where she spoke and guided athletes, coaches, and judges. She also coached and consulted local clubs, and spoke at numerous camps, clinics, conventions, symposiums. Sandy was a member of the USA National Coaching Staff (1993 and 1994) and coached many elite regional athletes.