STUNT's 4th Season Kicks Off With Record Number Of Teams

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- STUNT, the new varsity sport derived from cheerleading launched by USA Cheer, starts its fourth season with a roster of 60 collegiate teams. In addition, more than 100 collegiate teams have started to explore the possibility of adding STUNT to their sports offerings.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110204/DC42655LOGO)

STUNT has successfully met the minimum requirements set by NCAA for the Emerging Sport application process for the last three years, which is unparalleled in the world of sport.

"The overwhelmingly positive support for STUNT is humbling," says Bill Seely, Executive Director for USA Cheer, the governing body for cheerleading in the United States. "STUNT provides a sport format with a tremendous base of existing athletes, with all of the thrilling elements of traditional head to head sports and a program that universities and colleges will find simple to implement."

The International Cheer Union (ICU), which oversees the development of cheerleading worldwide and a member of SportAccord, has endorsed STUNT.  "The United States invented cheerleading and USA Cheer has helped to grow all disciplines (traditional game day, All-Star cheerleading and now STUNT) not only in the US, but around the world," says Karl Olson, the Secretary General of ICU. "We are intrigued with the newest discipline called STUNT and fully support their efforts."   

Response from universities has been strong. "I think that STUNT is a very exciting sport that has tremendous potential for growth. It is fan friendly and fast paced which is attractive," says Patrick Atwell, Director of Athletics at Drury University. "I am looking forward to watching the development of this new sport and anxious to watch it live for the first time."

Coach Staci Sutton of Florida State University agrees, "We are excited for another STUNT season.  It is so exciting for us to watch this sport grow and know we were one of the first teams to participate."

STUNT has found support in the women's athletic community as well, as it has been designed in a way to meet Title IX's standards when adopted at a varsity sport level. It has been endorsed by the Women's Sport foundation's Nancy Hogshead-Makar, the Senior Director of Advocacy for the group. "The Women's Sports Foundation welcomes the new sport of STUNT into the women's sports tent, along with other aesthetic sports like gymnastics, diving and some skiing and snowboarding events. STUNT is developing to ensure girls and women are being provided the same educational experience that boys' receive, with comparable numbers of competitions, squad sizes, scholarships, and a standard competitive format."

STUNT is also making headway in the high school community with the State Associations in two states – Florida and Oklahoma – introducing the sport this season. "We see STUNT as a valuable asset at the grassroots level, where we are trying to get and keep as many young people involved in athletics as we can," says Carolyn Shoemaker, President of the Florida Cheer Coaches Association. "STUNT provides an excellent avenue to help us accomplish this goal," says Carolyn Shoemaker, President of the Florida Cheer coaches Association.

SOURCE USA Cheer