Zeke Cernea enters his first season with the Quincy University STUNT program in 2026-27 as an assistant coach and tumbling specialist.
Cernea brings more than two decades of tumbling experience to the Hawks. He is the co-owner and head tumbling coach at Gem City Gymnastics & Tumbling in Quincy, which celebrated its 20th year in business in 2026. Cernea has coached as a member of the United States Trampoline and Tumbling Association (USTA) for 22 years.
Throughout his coaching career, Cernea has developed numerous advanced and elite-level athletes who have captured state and national championships in both USTA and AAU competition. Several of his athletes have also earned spots on USTA and AAU National Teams. In each of his 22 seasons as a head coach, Cernea has had athletes qualify for and compete at the national championships.
Cernea was named the USTA Southern Illinois Coach of the Year in 2018 and has been a three-time finalist for USTA National Coach of the Year. He also served on the USTA Executive Board as Ethics Chair in 2019 and 2020.
A native of La Belle, Missouri, Cernea also enjoyed a successful competitive tumbling career with the Quincy Gymnastics Tumbling Team. He qualified for the USTA National Championships every year he competed and concluded his career by finishing ninth nationally in advanced power tumbling.
Outside of athletics, Cernea has spent more than two decades as a recording artist and singer-songwriter. He regularly performs throughout the region at venues and music festivals, with his music available across major digital streaming platforms.
Cernea has been married to his wife, Katie, since 2006. The couple enjoys traveling and spending time with their two dogs, Ollie and Flip. He is also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.
