The time has finally come! Last week, the sport of Acrobatics and Tumbling has been voted on for both Division II and Division III by NCAA members to become an emerging sport for women! Back when I started out in this sport in 2016, there were only about 20 schools in the country that offered this kind of opportunity for women at the college level. Acrobatics and Tumbling provides so many opportunities for women all over the country to compete in a one of a kind sport and showcase their talents. Gannon University currently gives 40 young women the unique opportunity to compete at the national level.
The vote has been something that has been a work in progress for almost ten years. Acrobatics and Tumbling was created at the collegiate level to meet the needs of young women all across the country. Gannon added Acrobatics and Tumbling as a varsity sport in 2013 and every year the program grows. Acrobatics and Tumbling is currently only offered at the collegiate level but will eventually grow to reach the younger age groups and become well-known everywhere, just like every other sport. It is an evolution of the various disciplines of gymnastics, including artistic gymnastics, trampoline/power tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics. Acrobatics and Tumbling athletes come from all athletic backgrounds, including swimming and diving, track and field, and competitive cheerleading.
Acrobatics and Tumbling was created for women, by women. This is extremely exciting news for the entire Acrobatics and Tumbling community as we continue to grow and reach championship sport status. There are currently 30 varsity programs across the country and 680 women who will participate in NCATA competition this spring. NCAA Division I members will make their vote on legislation in April. Being a female student-athlete in this sport and creating history is an absolutely amazing feeling, and I cannot wait to see where the future of this sport takes us! We have so much room for growth, and this is only the beginning!
For more information on this historic vote:
