Jessica Woody Named Head STUNT Coach

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Corley announced Wednesday Jessica Woody has been named head coach of the Bruins' STUNT program.
 
Earlier this fall, Belmont announced it was adding STUNT as its 18th NCAA-sponsored varsity sport.
 
STUNT is a head-to-head competition between two teams, focusing on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer. It is among the fastest-growing female sports in the United States and is an NCAA emerging sport for women.
 
The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics voted at its spring meeting to recommend Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add a National Collegiate stunt championship, as early as spring 2027.
 
Woody has served as head coach of Belmont cheerleading since August 2023.
 
"A great coach doesn't just build teams—they build character, confidence, and champions on and off the field of play," said Renee Schultz, Belmont Senior Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator. "For the past several years, we have had the pleasure of working with Jessi and are confident in her ability to build STUNT into a championship level program."
 
"It is an honor to help launch the STUNT program here at Belmont," Woody said. "I look forward to establishing a program that reflects Belmont's tradition of everyday excellence."
 
Prior to Belmont, Woody spent five seasons as the head cheerleading and dance coach at UT Martin.
 
Woody helped revolutionize the Skyhawk cheer program and start the Skyhawk dance team; after earning a Superior ranking at the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Camp – and third-place standing – UT Martin started competing at Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Nationals in 2017.  
 
With nearly two decades of competitive cheerleading experience, Woody competed at NCA Nationals all four years of her cheerleading career as an undergraduate student at Martin Methodist College. 

Woody will continue to serve as head cheerleading coach for the 2025-26 academic year.
 
This includes leading Belmont to UCA nationals this coming January in Florida.
 
Belmont has seven Top 10 finishes – including three Top 5 finishes – at UCA nationals since 2010.
 
Belmont will begin official STUNT competition in spring 2027.