Mary Haridin-Baylor Athletics

Courtney Oates was hired in February of 2019 to start and build the UMHB Acrobatics and Tumbling program. The Cru Acrobatics & Tumbling program began competition in the spring of 2020. UMHB hosted four-time defending National Champion Baylor University in its inaugural meet and the Cru earned the program's first victory in its next meet at East Texas Baptist. UMHB finished with a 1-1 record after that inaugural season was cut short and cancelled in March. Oates went on to guide the Cru to a 3-3 record in the 2021 season. 
 
Oates has now had the opportunity to start an Acrobatics and Tumbling program twice in her young coaching career. Before joining UMHB, she spent the last two years at West Virginia Wesleyan College as that school’s inaugural coach. Oates was hired in January of 2017 and spent a year recruiting to the program before guiding the Bobcats to a 4-4 record in their first season of competition in the spring of 2018. Oates also spent one semester as a volunteer assistant coach at Baylor University. She is a Belton native, and her father, Jerry Pate, served as Associate Athletic Trainer for UMHB Athletics.
 
Oates is a 2016 graduate of Baylor University with a degree in fine art with a focus in photography. She was a four-year letter winner for the Baylor Athletics and Tumbling program and won two Team National Championships with the Bears (2015, 2016). Oates also won three individual National Championships during her time at Baylor. She was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and was also named to the Academic All-Big 12 Rookie Team as a freshman. Oates was an eight-time Big 12 Commissioners Honor Roll and Dean’s List selection during her collegiate career. She is also a graduate of Belton High School, where she was a four-time All-American cheerleader and a Regional Qualifier as a pole vaulter.
 
Courtney and her husband, Gabe, were married in December of 2020. She is the daughter of Jerry and Vicki Pate. Her brother, Tyler, is a UMHB graduate and played soccer for the Cru. Her younger sister, Cassidy, is a graduate of Baylor University.