After 15 seasons in the Club Division of College STUNT, Cal Poly is officially stepping onto the NCAA mat.
Starting with the 2026–2027 academic year, Cal Poly Athletics will officially transition its STUNT program from club status to a fully recognized NCAA Division I varsity sport. The university becomes one of the latest to join the wave of institutions elevating STUNT in alignment with the NCAA’s recognition of the sport as a full championship event.
“The university is elevating STUNT from a club sport at Cal Poly to varsity status,” said Director of Athletics Don Oberhelman. “[This addition is] part of the university’s long-term planning to increase opportunities for female student-athletes.”
The shift adds up to 65 new varsity opportunities for women, supporting Cal Poly’s commitment to competitive, cost-effective athletic programming as its female student population grows.
STUNT, one of cheerleading’s fastest-growing disciplines, focuses purely on athletic skill, execution, and synchronization across four quarters: partner stunts, pyramids/tosses, jumps/tumbling, and team routines. Cal Poly’s STUNT team has been under the athletics umbrella since 2010 and clinched a club national championship two years ago. The program’s proven track record makes it a contender from day one in varsity games.
With over 5,000 high school athletes competing in STUNT across 253 California schools and 80+ varsity programs nationwide, Cal Poly is positioning itself at the forefront of the sport’s expansion.
The announcement follows STUNT’s designation as an official NCAA emerging sport, with full championship status set for 2026–27.
Also in the works? Cal Poly is eyeing the launch of women’s flag football as early as 2027.
This development follows the difficult decision to discontinue swim and dive due to financial strain, underscoring a strategic shift toward Title IX-aligned sports with growing national infrastructure.
Cal Poly hosted a regional STUNT competition in April 2025 at Mott Athletics Center—drawing top programs and fan engagement that helped solidify the decision.
Follow the evolution of STUNT—visit cheerdaily.net and follow @StuntDaily for nonstop updates in competitive STUNT.
