Wayland Baptist Names Head Coach for Revived Dance Program

Alumna Elexia Ruiz to lead competitive dance team's return in Fall 2026

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Wayland Baptist University has named Elexia Ruiz, a former Wayland dancer, as the head coach of its revived competitive dance program. The program, originally established in 2010, was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic but is now scheduled to resume in Fall 2026 under Ruiz's leadership.

Why it matters

The return of Wayland's competitive dance program represents the university's commitment to growing its extracurricular offerings and providing students with opportunities for community, competition, and being part of a team. As dance continues to gain popularity in the surrounding areas, the program's revival is expected to attract new students to Wayland.

The details

Ruiz, a Wayland alumna who competed with the dance team from 2016 to 2020, was introduced as the head coach last Thursday. According to the university's announcement, Ruiz understands the campus, culture, and what it takes to build a successful program from the ground up. The program is scheduled to resume in Fall 2026, with recruiting already underway.

  • Wayland's dance team was originally established in 2010.
  • The program was paused following the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Ruiz competed with the Wayland dance team from 2016 to 2020.
  • Ruiz was named head coach on Thursday, February 3, 2026.
  • The revived competitive dance program is scheduled to resume in Fall 2026.

The players

Elexia Ruiz

A Wayland Baptist University alumna and former member of the university's dance team, who has been named the head coach of the revived competitive dance program.

Jim Giacomazzi

The Athletic Director at Wayland Baptist University, who introduced Ruiz as the new head coach and praised her as a leader who knows how to grow a program from the ground up.

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What they’re saying

“Wayland is growing and so is dance in the surrounding areas. Students are looking for programs that offer community, competition, and just being part of a team. Dance gives that opportunity for students.”

— Elexia Ruiz, Head Coach (myplainview.com)

“Elexia represents everything we want this program to be—competitive, disciplined, and rooted in who we are at Wayland. She understands this campus, this culture, and what it takes to build something meaningful. We didn't just hire a coach. We hired a leader who knows how to grow a program from the ground up.”

— Jim Giacomazzi, Athletic Director (myplainview.com)

What’s next

With recruiting already started, the revived Wayland Baptist competitive dance program is scheduled to resume in Fall 2026 under Elexia Ruiz's leadership.

The takeaway

The return of Wayland's competitive dance program reflects the university's commitment to providing students with diverse extracurricular opportunities and building a strong, community-driven program that can compete at the national level.