Belmont Athletics Adds Sport of STUNT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University will add the sport of STUNT to its varsity athletics program, Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Corley announced Wednesday.
 
STUNT becomes the 18^th NCAA-sponsored varsity sport offered by Belmont – and the first sport added in a quarter century.
 
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.
 
"We are excited to add STUNT as a sponsored varsity sport at Belmont," Corley said. "STUNT is enjoying enormous growth and we believe Belmont is well-positioned to be competitive from day one. Providing educational opportunities and championship experiences for female athletes while also broadening the reach and relevance of our University in new markets fulfills institutional aims."
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Belmont University to the growing community of NCAA Varsity DI STUNT programs," said Amy Haney, Director of College STUNT. "Belmont's commitment to excellence both academically and athletically makes it a perfect fit for the continued expansion of STUNT at the highest collegiate level. We look forward to seeing how Belmont's STUNT program empowers young women to grow as athletes, students, and leaders who will impact their campus and community."
 
Belmont plans to begin competing in STUNT during the 2026-27 academic year.
 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
 
Q:  What is STUNT?
A:   STUNT is a competitive, head-to-head, four quarter game between two teams that focuses on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer. The skills that a young athlete has learned through cheer (partner stunts, pyramids, jumps, tosses, tumbling) define the routines that must be performed in each of the four quarters by both teams head-to-head on the floor at the same time. The team that executes the skills best wins the round and the point. That team then has the opportunity to determine which routine level will be called next. This allows the coaches to employ a great deal of strategy throughout the game to advantage their team and affect the outcome of the game. With four quarters of play – partner stunts, pyramids and tosses, jumps and tumbling, and team routine – stunt is an exciting sport to play, coach and watch. For more information on STUNT or to watch a video of a STUNT competition, go to stuntthesport.org and/or collegestunt.org.
 
Q:   Why is Belmont University adding STUNT?
A:   We are always searching ways to provide additional educational opportunities for student-athletes, enhance the broader University community, and elevate the Belmont brand. Our exploratory committee reviewed and assessed several emerging women's sports and were intrigued by what we learned about stunt. The sport has enormous growth potential. Moreover, STUNT has tremendous support from the NCAA and USA Cheer, and our dialogue with Amy Haney and her team has been extremely positive. We have a strong portfolio of women's sports, outstanding indoor facilities, and wanted to add a sport we felt would provide competition and championship experiences to even more female athletes. 
 
Q:   Does Belmont have a STUNT coach?
A:   Belmont has begun a national search for a new head coach for STUNT. The coach is expected to be announced in the coming months. 
 
Q:   Is STUNT a scholarship sport?
A:   Yes. The team will be comprised of scholarship and non-scholarship student-athletes. Given recent adoption of roster limits vs. scholarship limits through the House settlement, schools have increased flexibility as how to comprise teams and scholarship offerings. Belmont senior athletic administration and the incoming head coach will determine how scholarships are allocated as the program is developed.
 
Q:   When do college STUNT teams compete?
A:    STUNT is a spring sport. The season typically runs from February through May.
 
Q:    Will current Belmont cheerleaders compete on the STUNT team?
A:     Current Belmont cheerleaders will be afforded the opportunity to try out for STUNT if they so choose. While including similar elements, traditional spirit or cheer teams and STUNT are different disciplines. Additionally, STUNT is one of the fastest-growing sports at the high school level for young women. Therefore, incoming student-athletes will be recruited from high school and club STUNT teams across the nation.
 
Q:    How many student-athletes are normally on a STUNT team?
A:    Belmont anticipates a STUNT roster of between 20 and 30 student-athletes.
 
Q:     How long does a STUNT competition last?
A:     Most STUNT competitions last approximately one hour.
 
Q:    What other universities sponsor STUNT as sport?
A:    There are nearly 70 college teams competing in STUNT for 2025-26. Programs include Kentucky, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan, Purdue, Michigan State, Arizona State, Oklahoma State, and reigning National Champion Cal Baptist. More schools are committed to begin programs in the next two years.