STUNT, the cheer-based competitive sport, is gaining ground toward NCAA championship status. As part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, STUNT now has 26 college programs nationwide, with 40 schools anticipated to sponsor the sport in 2024-25. This increase brings STUNT closer to meeting the 40-school threshold required for NCAA championship recognition.
Since officially joining the NCAA Emerging Sports program in August, STUNT has seen rapid growth as a college sport, giving cheerleading athletes a platform for structured, competitive routines. The sport focuses on essential cheer elements, including stunts, pyramids, jumps, and synchronized tumbling, and is organized into four quarters where teams perform head-to-head routines judged on precision and execution.
This recent data from the NCAA highlights STUNT’s rise and shows a continued focus on expanding opportunities for female athletes in college sports. Ragean Hill, the Committee on Women’s Athletics chair, noted the impact, saying, “The increase in sport sponsorship plays a pivotal role in creating equitable opportunities for female athletes.”
