STUNT, the fastest growing female sport in the country, is making its way to Albright College as the latest addition to its athletic program, set to begin in the 2025-26 academic year. The Lions will be joining nearly 80 colleges nationwide that have embraced STUNT, a head-to-head competition that highlights the athletic elements of cheerleading. This addition brings Albright’s total varsity sports to 23, creating new opportunities for female athletes and enhancing the college’s growing athletic offerings.
“We are excited to announce the addition of STUNT as a varsity sport at Albright,” said Athletic Director Rick Ferry. “STUNT is growing rapidly across the country, and we are thrilled to be adding the sport to Albright’s intercollegiate athletics. We look forward to competing in STUNT as well as enhancing our Cheer and Dance teams.”
STUNT, developed by USA Cheer, has rapidly gained popularity across the U.S., with nearly 80 colleges already incorporating the sport into their athletic programs. The game focuses on the athletic components of traditional cheerleading, with teams competing in partner stunts, pyramids, jumps & tumbling, and team routines. What makes STUNT unique is its purely competitive nature—removing the crowd-leading element and concentrating solely on athletic performance.
The primary difference from traditional cheerleading? STUNT strips away the crowd-leading aspect, centering purely on athletic performance. This format brings intensity and strategy to the mat, making STUNT one of the most thrilling new sports to watch, play, and coach.
The game is structured into four quarters, each featuring a different category of skills. Teams perform simultaneously in a head-to-head format, with points awarded for precision, synchronization, and execution. The team with the most points at the end of the match wins, making it a thrilling and fast-paced competition for athletes and fans alike.
Albright College’s decision to bring STUNT to its athletics program reflects the sport’s rapid national growth and its appeal to a wide range of athletes. STUNT provides a competitive platform for female athletes with backgrounds in cheerleading, gymnastics, and tumbling, offering them a new way to continue competing at the collegiate level.
STUNT is also an ideal fit for schools due to its relatively low operational costs and alignment with Title IX, ensuring gender equity in athletic offerings. Large team rosters and ease of recruiting from existing high school STUNT programs make it a seamless addition to college athletics.
As Albright prepares for its STUNT debut in 2025-26, the search for the program’s first head coach is already underway. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply through the Albright athletic department, with the team set to compete in the spring of 2026. This move positions Albright to attract top-tier talent from high school STUNT athletes, giving the college a competitive edge as the sport continues to grow.
By adding STUNT, Albright College is expanding not just its athletic offerings but also its commitment to providing diverse opportunities for student-athletes. The combination of STUNT, Cheer, and Dance programs will create a well-rounded athletic department that offers female athletes more ways to compete and excel.
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