Transylvania University is stepping onto the mat in a big way by becoming one of the first NCAA Division III schools to launch a STUNT program. This exciting move, set to kick off in the 2025-26 school year, gives student-athletes a prime opportunity to showcase their cheerleading skills in a head-to-head competitive environment. STUNT, a sport that isolates the athletic skills of cheerleading, including pyramids, tosses, and tumbling, is rapidly gaining popularity across the nation.
Transylvania’s STUNT program will join the ranks of 16 other DIII schools and two Kentucky colleges currently offering this women’s sport. With the growing interest in STUNT, the university is on the hunt for a head coach, encouraging interested candidates to apply by September 15.
Holly Sheilley, Transylvania’s Vice President for Athletics, expressed her excitement about the new program, stating, “I am deeply passionate about expanding opportunities for our students, and collegiate STUNT is one of the fastest-growing sports for women. At Transylvania, our commitment to excellence drives everything we do, and this new sport offers yet another avenue for us to excel and set new standards.”
Understanding STUNT: Breaking Down the Quarters
STUNT competitions are structured into four quarters, each highlighting different skill sets:
- Partner Stunts: This quarter features 30-second routines that escalate in difficulty. Easier routines involve more stunt groups, while the tougher routines might only involve one or two. Teams strategically match their best bases, flyers, and spotters to outshine their opponents.
- Pyramid and Tosses: Athletes perform increasingly difficult 30-second routines, with the number of athletes varying between 8, 12, or 16, depending on the routine’s complexity.
- Jumps and Tumbling: This quarter involves 30-second routines with increasing difficulty, where seven athletes perform jumps and tumbling passes, with the number of tumblers varying based on the routine’s difficulty.
- Combined Team Routine: The final quarter is a 90-second routine that combines elements from the first three quarters. Athletes rotate on and off the floor as needed, and teams aim to score points in each of the three segments.
Transylvania is not entirely new to the world of STUNT. The university played a key role in hosting the NCAA DI STUNT National Championship in April at the Beck Center, in collaboration with the University of Kentucky.
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