Georgia State University is the 21st team to join the emerging sport initiative.
Memphis, Tenn. (October 2010) – USA Cheer, the national governing body (NGB) for all forms of cheerleading, is pleased to announce that 21 universities have now committed to instituting “Stunt” as a spring sport for 2011.
Stunt, a new competition sport designed to be considered for NCAA Emerging Sport status, launched in September and has also been tailored to follow Title IX’s requirements for intercollegiate sport.
To qualify as an emerging sport, there must be 20 or more varsity teams and/or competitive teams that currently exist on college campuses in that sport. Securing 21 teams for the 2011 Stunt season ensures that USA Cheer will have sufficient participation to meet this criteria.
“The college community is quickly embracing Stunt,” says Bill Seely, Executive Director of USA Cheer. “The Stunt format is dynamic and challenging, and uses the skill set of cheerleading in an entirely new and exciting way. We are extremely gratified by the positive reaction Stunt has received, and look forward to showcasing the talent of the Stunt athletes.”
There are several additional schools considering the addition of Stunt to their sports rosters in the next few months. Stunt provides opportunities for the more than 800,000 cheerleaders of high school age in the United States that are looking for an athletic opportunity at the college level.
University Teams Participating in Stunt
- University of Louisville
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
- California Polytechnic State University
- Morgan State University
- University of Memphis
- Valdosta State University
- Bridgewater State University
- University of Georgia Club Team
- Ohio State University Club Team
- West Virginia University Club Team
- Michigan State University Club Team
- University of Illinois Club Team
- University of North Carolina Club Team
- Penn State University
- North Carolina State University
- Morehead State University
- Georgia College and State University
- Macon State University
- Methodist University
- Fredonia State University (beginning with 2012 season)
About USA Cheer
The USA Federation for Sport Cheering is a not-for profit organization and is the national governing body for all disciplines of cheerleading. USA Cheer exists to serve the entire cheer community, including club cheering (All Star), traditional school based cheer programs and the new sport of “Stunt.” USA Cheer has three primary objectives: help grow and develop interest and participation in Cheer throughout the United States; promote safety and safety education for cheer in the United States; and represent the United States of America in international cheer competitions.
Description of Stunt
Each Stunt game will comprise four quarters in the following categories: Partner Stunts, Jumps and Group Tumbling, Tosses and Pyramids, and Team Routine. Within each quarter, teams will perform skill sequences of varying levels of difficulty, technical execution and synchronization. Anyone who follows sports will be able to follow Stunt. Teams compete simultaneously, and the head-to-head format simplifies the scoring process, allowing fans to track the results of the competition as each round is completed. Because of the new format, teams will have records and national rankings, which will determine their post season play, much like other sports. In addition, post season play can be tracked by the fans, much like “March Madness.” For more information on Stunt, visit http://usacheer.net.
About NCAA Emerging Sport Status
NCAA Emerging Sport Status requires a sport to provide additional athletic opportunities for female students, involve physical exertion with the purpose of competition, have standardized rules with a scoring system ratified by a governing body and have regularly scheduled competitions.
About Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions where the federal government provides financial assistance. Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in athletics in the offering of participation opportunities, athletic benefits and resources, and scholarships.
For more information, contact Sheila Noone at 901-251-5959.
USA Cheer – 22 Teams Press Release
Note – A correction was released stating “Georgia State University has had to withdraw from Stunt for the first year. Attached is the correction to the release.”
Andre J. Carter 
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