Future Friday: Q&A with Lindsey (Bruck) Ayotte
5/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
May 6, 2016
Former women's gymnast Lindsey Ayotte is now a performer for Cirque du Soleil's Amaluna.
After representing the block M with pride while they competed for the Maize and Blue, our student-athlete alumni have gone off to become professionals in different areas of their lives. Whether they continued on in their sport, helped to build up a company or started a family, they are building a future. They are building our future. As they leave the University of Michigan campus they go forth with all they learned here to create a better future for us all.
Lindsey (Bruck) Ayotte (2004-08) was a two-time All-American, the 2008 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, two-time NCAA Regional Gymnast of the Year, a two-time Big Ten champion and four-time All-Big Ten selection. She was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team in 2008, was a finalist for the NCAA Honda Sports Award and AAI Award, a four-time academic All-Big Ten choice and was a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American in 2006.
A native of Marietta, New York, Ayotte was a team captain in 2007. Over the course of her five seasons at Michigan, Ayotte helped Michigan claim four Big Ten championships and two NCAA Regional titles. Her teams made it to the NCAA Championships all five years, advancing to the Super Six in 2005 to finish fifth in the nation.
Q. What was your major and year of graduation?
A. Physical education with a minor in health education in 2008.
Q. What are some of your favorite memories from attending U-M?
A. There are so many great memories from my time at U-M. I think one of my favorites was competing at the Big Ten Championships my freshman year. I had never experienced a competition like it. The team was on fire and it was such a fun experience.
Q. What was the best thing about U-M?
A. I think the best thing about U-M is all of the traditions and pride everyone has for the University.
Q. What are some life lessons you took away from being at Michigan or how did your experience shape who you are today?
A. Always have pride in what you do and give it 110 percent. Michigan taught me how to be a leader and how to work hard in everything I do. Being a student-athlete was an amazing experience and something I will always remember.
Q. What have you been up to since leaving Michigan?
A. After Michigan I went to the University of New Hampshire and became a women's gymnastics assistant coach for two years. It was such incredible experience and I learned so much. I was also able to meet my husband there. However, while coaching I realized I still wanted to perform. That was when I tried out for Cirque du Soleil. After a successful audition, I got into the company and got a contract for a new creation of a show called Amaluna. My husband and I have been with the show ever since traveling around North America and now Europe.
Q. How has Michigan helped you in life after college?
A. Being a Michigan graduate I believe has opened many doors. Everyone knows the great education and life lessons the University provides.
Q. What advice would you give to current Wolverine gymnasts?
A.One piece of advice I would give to a current Wolverine gymnast is enjoy every moment of being a Michigan student-athlete. The experience is once in a lifetime and before you know it you will be graduating. It is amazing how fast it goes by.
The 2015-16 academic year marks the 150th anniversary of Michigan Athletics. We invite the University of Michigan family to celebrate the passion that fuels us, rediscover the stories and traditions that unite us, and imagine what the future holds for us. We look forward to celebrating "This Michigan of Ours." To share a memory of Michigan Athletics, please fill out our online form or email goblue150@umich.edu.
