Beloved Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas makes definitive decision about her future

Former Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas graduated with her Master’s degree last month after one of the most decorated careers in program history. But Thomas isn’t finished with her time in Gainesville.

Thomas announced Monday at the Collegiate Women Sports Awards that she is heading back to school for another Master’s degree and will serve as a student assistant coach for the gymnastics team.

“I am so excited that I am staying at Florida for another year,” Thomas said during the event. “I will be pursuing another Master’s, this time in entrepreneurship, and I will be student coaching for the Gators gymnastics team.”

Trinity Thomas ( @Gym_Trin ) has a big announcement for all @GatorsGym fans 👀 pic.twitter.com/SLNdqdTXws

— We Need To Talk (@WeNeedToTalk) June 27, 2023

Thomas was at the event to accept the Honda Sports Award in gymnastics. The Honda Sports Award is given out to the best athlete in each of the NCAA’s 12 sponsored women’s sports.

The SEC Gymnast of Year in 2020, 2022 and 2023, Thomas became just the second athlete ever to win three SEC Gymnast of Year awards. She is also a 34-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion, winning the all-around, uneven bars and floor exercise titles in 2022.

Thomas is also the co-all-time leader in perfect 10s in NCAA history with 28.

“So honored to receive the Honda Award again this season,” Thomas said in a statement from when her win was announced in April. “It feels incredible to have achieved one of my biggest collegiate goals back-to-back. Attending the College Women Sports Awards event last summer in Los Angeles is certainly one of my favorite collegiate memories. I am looking forward to attending the ceremony to represent myself, my family, and the University of Florida again in 2023.”

Thomas will join Jenny Rowland‘s staff at Florida. Among those coaching with her will be assistant to the head coach Megan Skaggs. Skaggs and Thomas were teammates for four seasons with Skaggs making 12 All-American teams and winning the 2019 SEC balance beam title.

In addition to being a force all over the gym, Thomas was a major player in the NIL world. At the INFLCR NIL Summit earlier this month, she won the Female Athlete of the Year award.

“I think it’s an incredible opportunity,” Thomas said of NIL, via On3’s Pete Nakos. “And I’m so glad that I’ve gotten the chance to take advantage of it. But absolutely, as anything, you can always make something better. And I think that NIL can definitely be better. And there can be more regulations around it so that it’s not being misused.”