Ferris State University is stepping up its game by adding STUNT to its varsity sports lineup, beginning in Fall 2025. STUNT, a sport derived from cheerleading, is a head-to-head competition focused on athletic skills such as stunts, jumps, tumbling, pyramids, and tosses. Ferris State is now one of three schools in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) to offer the sport, joining Davenport University and Purdue Northwest.
STUNT is one of the fastest-growing sports for women in the United States. Recognized for its competitive and high-energy nature, the sport is creating new opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills on a collegiate level.
“We’re thrilled to launch a new varsity sport and believe this provides an outstanding opportunity to add student-athletes to our university,” said Ferris State Athletics Director Steve Brockelbank. “This is an emerging sport that continues to grow quickly and is a great fit for our institution. It will also positively impact our cheer program and gameday atmosphere.”
The addition of STUNT will bring the total number of varsity sports at Ferris State to 18, marking the first new sport introduced in 25 years. The last addition was Bulldog women’s soccer, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Ferris State has named Perrmella Harris as the program’s first head coach. Harris brings more than 30 years of experience in cheerleading, tumbling, and executive leadership. She previously owned and operated the Metro Cheer Training Center, coaching teams to over 100 local, regional, and national titles.
“Perrmella rose to the top in the interview process, and her wealth of knowledge and experience will be essential in the launch of this sport at Ferris State,” said Brockelbank. Harris has also worked as an associate head coach in a Division I acrobatics and tumbling program and served as an NAIA official.
Harris expressed her excitement about building the program: “As the head cheer and stunt coach, I am deeply honored and excited to build this program under the athletic department as a NCAA sport that will allow the skills, hard work, and athleticism to be shown. I also want our program to engage with our community, cultivate a culture of excellence on and off the mat, and aim for accomplishments that make our university and alumni proud.”
With STUNT’s rapid growth across the country, Ferris State’s decision to add this sport highlights the university’s commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for women. STUNT’s inclusion in Ferris State’s athletic program is poised to create a new level of excitement for Bulldog fans, both at competitions and on gameday.
Stay tuned for more updates on Ferris State’s STUNT team and other exciting cheer news!
