The University of Tennessee at Martin is the first college in TN and the only D1 college in TN to have a STUNT team. Sophomore team member Violet Gillilan is a 2022 Gordonsville High School graduate was signed with the team in April 2022. She has enjoyed being a part of the inaugural season for the UT Martin Skyhawks.
The Skyhawks made their official debut on March 3rd. Competing in an official capacity for the first time, the University of Tennessee at Martin STUNT team wrapped up its program debut with a win over Central Arkansas at the Simon Athletic Center on the campus of Maryville University. The game capped off a 33-month journey that began when UT Martin announced its plans to field a competitive STUNT program pending NCAA certification back in June 2021. The Skyhawks competed in eight exhibitions last season – winning six of those – before the NCAA approved STUNT at the Division I level in August 2023.
STUNT is an exciting head-to-head game between two teams that incorporates the technical and athletic skills derived from cheerleading. Created by USA Cheer, STUNT is a discipline of competitive cheerleading that removes the crowd-leading element and focuses on the technical and athletic components of cheer. STUNT features two teams in a head-to-head four-quarter competition in a 45-60 minute event that is scored based on execution. Quarters of a STUNT game include partner stunts, pyramids/tosses, jumps/tumbling and a team compulsory routine. A total of 61 colleges or universities currently sponsor the sport of STUNT. The Skyhawks are one of 14 active NCAA Division I schools
The 2024 regular season schedule will wrap up with four games over a two-day span in Nashville, Tenn. UT Martin on Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. The Division I national championships are set for April 12 through 15.
