History was made at Lipscomb University this weekend as the Hope International Royals claimed their first-ever College STUNT National Championship in the NAIA Division, capping off an undefeated tournament run with a dominant performance.
The top-seeded Royals entered the championship game on a high note, having already defeated the 2 seed Missouri Baptist Spartans earlier in the tournament. Their championship clash was a highly anticipated rematch, and Hope International delivered a resounding 14-0 victory over Missouri Baptist to clinch the national title.
Hope International’s path to the championship included a decisive 14-1 win over Missouri Baptist in Game 2 of the tournament. The Missouri Baptist Spartans, the 2 seed, had a strong showing throughout the tournament, overcoming the 3 seed Central Methodist Eagles twice, with scores of 13-7 and 13-6. However, they ultimately couldn’t overcome the relentless execution of the Royals.
This national championship adds another significant achievement to Hope International University’s impressive STUNT program, which has also secured back-to-back GSAC (Great Southwest Athletic Conference) STUNT Championships in 2024 and 2025. The Royals’ inaugural NAIA STUNT National Championship marks a new era of success for the program and an unforgettable moment for the university.
This year marks a significant shift in the NAIA STUNT landscape as two prominent programs, William Jessup University and Vanguard University, winners of the last 4 NAIA National Championships, transitioned to NCAA Division II. They finished second and fourth, respectively, in the final standings of the DII National Championship in 2025.
Final Tournament Standings:
| Rank | Team |
| 1 | Hope International Royals |
| 2 | Missouri Baptist Spartans |
| 3 | Central Methodist Eagles |
Follow STUNT DAILY for updates as we kick off the 2025-2026 College STUNT Season!
