August 26, 2010

The National Collegiate Stunts and Tumbling Association (NCSTA) is pleased to announce the official name of their sport (formerly Competitive Cheer) as voted by the member universities as Stunts and Tumbling. The name Stunts and Tumbling promotes the sport's standardization at the intercollegiate level.



The NCSTA is the official governing body of the sport and is made up of the six institutions that currently sponsor stunts and tumbling at the varsity level - Azusa Pacific, Baylor, Fairmont State, Maryland, Oregon, and Quinnipiac.

"The name change reflects the unification of the Universities that currently sponsor this outstanding sport for women," Quinnipiac Stunts and Tumbling Head Coach Mary Ann Powers said. "The sport of Stunts and Tumbling has evolved from gymnastics and the athletic aspects of competitive cheer. The NCSTA created a revolutionary format and scoring system last season that has already generated excitement for athletes, coaches and parents"

John Blake, Executive Director of the NCSTA, voiced his enthusiasm for the drive and passion of the NCSTA and the member universities.

"We are excited to announce the name Stunts & Tumbling as yet another sign of the evolution and development of the NCSTA. As Stunts & Tumbling continues to grow, we look forward to providing even more varsity intercollegiate opportunities for female student-athletes."

The purpose of a stunts and tumbling team is to compete on behalf of a university, 6-8 times per season in a head-to-head meet format against other collegiate stunts and tumbling teams. An NCSTA meet includes six rounds - compulsory, stunt, pyramid, basket toss, tumbling and team routine. The scoring system includes pre-determined difficulty values for each skill in each round of the events that allows for consistent scoring by the officials. The NCSTA's unique meet format with standardized scoring, officiating, and safety provide clear separation from other related sports or activities.

Stunts and tumbling teams are all-female and recognized and treated as fully sponsored sports at their respective institutions. They therefore must be in full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations in order to compete and are held to the same standards as other sports (i.e. GPA minimums, eligibility requirements and recruiting guidelines).

Blake accentuated, "As stunts & tumbling truly is unique, it is clear that it is not taking away from any other sport or activity; it will continue to provide new opportunities for female student-athletes to excel in intercollegiate athletics as more universities embrace the sport. Spectators will be engaged in its high-energy, intense competitive atmosphere"

The NCSTA National Championship will be in April 7 -9, 2011 at the University of Oregon.