On Wednesday afternoon (June 17), member representatives on the NCAA Division I Council voted to approve Acrobatics & Tumbling as a NCAA emerging sport for women. Women’s wrestling was also approved in a subsequent vote.  NCAA Division I approval followed a January 25 vote by Division II and Division III members to approve emerging sport status in their respective divisions for both sports.
 
"Today’s vote is a completion of a thorough NCAA emerging sport process, and we are honored to be added to the emerging sport list in all three NCAA divisions,” said NCATA President Dr. Renee Baumgartner. “This has been 11 years in the making for Acrobatics & Tumbling, and there will certainly be big celebrations by all who have invested in developing the sport and growing opportunities for women.”
 
"We would like to thank our Division I members for their advocacy and commitment throughout the process. This year has been an incredible journey for all our members, and the NCATA remains committed to creating new opportunities for women to compete as we strive to reach NCAA Championship status," Baumgartner added.
 
Janell Cook, Executive Director of NCATA, also praised NCAA membership for sharing the vision of the association and helping it provide opportunities for women in Division I collegiate athletics.
 
“We are thankful for all the guidance and support throughout the process from the NCAA.  The approval of the emerging sport legislation at the Division I level ensures our Division I student-athletes will transition on August 1 with our Division II and Division III members, which will have such a meaningful impact on their experience.” said Cook. 
 
“Interest in adding Acrobatics & Tumbling programs continues, and official NCAA emerging sport status will be a very positive addition to conversations with interested institutions as we continue our efforts to add new opportunities for young women to compete,” Cook noted.
 
The vote marks an 11-year journey for the sport of Acrobatics & Tumbling, which was created at the collegiate level specifically to meet the interests and abilities of young women across the country. NCATA staff and members, as well as current and former student-athletes, celebrate this important step forward for the development of the sport.
 
“The addition of Acrobatics & Tumbling to the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women list is the result of many years of hard work and dedication from the student-athletes who participate on our campuses, and the many head coaches and administrators who have championed it,” said Quinnipiac University Director of Athletics Greg Amodio. “The future of this sport is bright, and I look forward to watching it continue to grow at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.”
 
Rob Mullens, Director of Athletics at the University of Oregon, also shared his appreciation and excitement following today’s historic announcement for the sport.
 
“Today represents significant progress for the sport of Acrobatics & Tumbling as it becomes an NCAA emerging sport,” said Mullens. “We have been advocating for today’s development for a decade, and we are encouraged by what is on the horizon for the sport. Oregon Athletics will continue to provide a first-class experience and the opportunity to compete for championships for our Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes.”
 
Acrobatics & Tumbling was created for women, by women. Over a decade ago, a group of female collegiate coaches came together to conceive a new sport for young women competing in this skill set. Together with administrators on their campuses, five institutions began a movement that would provide opportunities for young women who were not served by the current opportunities in NCAA Gymnastics and looking for more than a typical spirit program experience. Baylor University, the University of Oregon, and Quinnipiac University are three of the six founding programs within the sport of Acrobatics & Tumbling, and each compete at the I level today.
 
“The remarkable young women of the Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling team are more than just student-athletes and representatives of a five-time national championship program – they are champions of the sport they love and the opportunities it creates for women,” said Baylor University Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades. “The NCAA vote naming Acrobatics & Tumbling an emerging sport is a great achievement and validates the work that so many student-athletes, coaches and administrators have dedicated to it.”
 
“We are especially proud of our own Head Coach Felecia Mulkey and the pivotal role she has played in developing and growing the sport from the ground up. With emerging sport status in place, many other universities will have the opportunity to provide scholarships and athletic opportunities for female student-athletes. We are excited to see the sport continue its exponential growth throughout all levels of the NCAA, especially among our Division I counterparts,” Rhodes added.
 
Presbyterian College added its Acrobatics & Tumbling program in 2019 and began competing during the 2020 season this past winter. PC Director of Athletics Rob Acunto shared his appreciation and support for his new program after competing for the first time in 2020.
 
“At Presbyterian College we witnessed a noticeable enhancement in the student-athlete experience our Division I Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes gained as a result of their first year of competition,” said Acunto. “Receiving emerging sport status will further enhance their student-athlete experience because it will demonstrate that not only does our institution value them, it will also demonstrate the NCAA membership also values them and their sport.”
 
“Emerging sport status will also demonstrate to prospective Division I Acrobatics & Tumbling student-athletes that their sport will continue to grow and flourish at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics. Obtaining emerging sports status will validate the time and effort many people have put forth to develop Acrobatics & Tumbling into a sport that is just as competitive, challenging and exciting as any other Division I sport,” Acunto added.
 
During the past 11 years, the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) and its members have propelled the sport forward: becoming a discipline within USA Gymnastics; growing from six to thirty-two varsity programs on college campuses; and achieving NCAA emerging sport status at all three levels of NCAA competition.
 
The NCATA expects increased interest and program announcement, as well as interest within conferences to add Acrobatics & Tumbling as a championship sport. Current membership includes 30 NCAA programs across all divisions and 2 NAIA members. To be considered for NCAA Championship status, a sport must have a minimum of 40 NCAA members competing.
 
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