USA Cheer is the governing body of cheerleading in the United States. Over the past 15 years, USA Cheer has championed STUNT, a sport-specific version of cheerleading, to receive recognition as a competitive sport. STUNT became an NCAA emerging sport in all three divisions last year and is now on track to achieve the requirements for championship sport status this Spring. USA Cheer’s advocacy has been instrumental in fostering STUNT’s rapid expansion, creating new opportunities for female athletes across the country.
What is STUNT?
- The Expansion of Cheerleading: Traditional cheerleading has long been focused on spirit-raising and supporting other sports teams. While it has grown both domestically and internationally, a distinct competitive avenue was needed to highlight the athleticism of cheer skills that met the strict requirements of Title IX.
- STUNT as a Competitive Sport: STUNT was designed to meet Title IX requirements and provide a structured, head-to-head competition format based solely on cheerleading’s athletic skills—partner stunts, pyramids, tosses, jumps, and tumbling.
- STUNT Scoring: Unlike traditional cheerleading, STUNT eliminates subjective scoring based on crowd appeal and choreography, replacing it with a standardized deduction-based scoring.
USA Cheer’s Role in the Development of STUNT
A New Level of Play for a New Generation
Cheerleading has been part of American athletics for over 150 years, evolving from a sideline activity into a highly skilled and physically demanding sport. USA Cheer has played a pivotal role in this evolution by establishing STUNT as a standalone sport, providing more athletes the chance to compete at the collegiate level.
“Cheerleading has not traditionally been known as a sport,” said Lauri Harris, Executive Director of USA Cheer. “But with the rise of STUNT, we’re seeing a major shift. Now, these athletes are getting the opportunity to be the ones cheered on.”
STUNT is unique in that it was created specifically for female athletes from the start, with 88% of participants being female. Unlike other sports that initially began as male-dominated before expanding to include female teams, STUNT was built from the ground up to offer opportunities for female athletes to showcase their skills competitively.
The Explosive Growth of STUNT
A Sport on the Fast Track to NCAA Championship Status
STUNT’s competition season occurs in the spring, providing cheerleaders with an additional opportunity to participate beyond the traditional fall and winter cheerleading seasons. The sport has seen remarkable growth at the collegiate level:
- A STUNT team consists of a minimum of 16 players, with most teams averaging around 30 athletes.
- Each game consists of four quarters: partner stunts, pyramids & tosses, jumps & tumbling, and team routines.
- Competitions are structured in a head-to-head format, with teams executing pre-determined routines judged by the fewest deductions.
STUNT is rapidly expanding, with over 70 colleges competing in the 2024 season and projections of over 100 programs within the next few years. This spring, STUNT is expected to meet the requirements for NCAA championship sport status, making it the fastest sport ever to move from emerging to championship status.
2025 and Beyond: The Future of STUNT
The 2025 season will mark STUNT’s 15th year of collegiate competition, further cementing its position as one of the fastest-growing female sports in the United States. As the sport continues to expand, USA Cheer remains committed to ensuring its accessibility at all levels, from youth programs to collegiate teams.
Click here to learn more about STUNT the sport >
Supporting STUNT’s Growth Through Technology
USA Cheer and SportsEngine: A Partnership for Success
To further its mission, USA Cheer has partnered with SportsEngine to provide essential technology tools for administrators and educational resources for athletes, coaches, and teams.
“SportsEngine has some great products that help our clubs operate efficiently, which is the most important thing to help them grow,” said Harris. “They can do their job easier so they can really be more effective at coaching, working with the kids, and staying organized.”
Through SportsEngine’s platform:
- Coaches have access to streamlined team management tools, allowing them to focus more on training and athlete development.
- Athletes, parents, and coaches receive the latest education on injury prevention, safety protocols, and best practices.
“We want to holistically educate our community,” Harris stated. “Whether it’s concussion awareness, athlete protection, or skill progression, having access to up-to-date information is critical to ensuring a safe and successful experience for everyone involved.”
The Future is Bright for STUNT
As STUNT continues to gain momentum, the sport is poised to redefine competitive cheerleading and establish itself as a major athletic opportunity for young women nationwide. With USA Cheer leading the charge, STUNT is proving that cheerleading is not just a supporting activity, it is a sport in its own right.
About Brynn Mahnke
Brynn Mahnke is a contributing writer for SportsEngine. She focuses on writing customer stories that share how people and businesses can leverage technology to bring insight and efficiency to everyday processes. In her spare time, you can find her playing soccer, running, or hanging out with her family.