URBANA, Ohio – Urbana University Executive Vice President Christopher Washington, Ph.D., and Executive Director of Athletics Larry Cox announced Monday the addition of acrobatics and tumbling to the institution's strong lineup of athletic programs.
UU becomes the first Ohio school and 19th member to join the rapidly growing National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA). The Blue Knights will begin competition in 2019.
"Urbana University is committed to maintaining a diverse combination of academic and intercollegiate programs that develop individuals as whole persons and prepare them for fulfilling careers, leadership and service to humanity," said Dr. Washington.
"I am very excited about adding an acrobatics and tumbling program at UU. I expect our newest team to compete at a high level, and our team members to serve the broader community by spreading the value of dedication, sportsmanship, and health and wellness to youth in our region."
The Urbana University Department of Athletics will immediately begin searching for the inaugural acrobatics and tumbling head coach. Typically, team roster sizes consist of 30-45 athletes. The recruiting base for Acrobatics and Tumbling is broad pulling from artistic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, Team Acro & Tumbling youth sport, and high-level competitive cheer teams.
Acrobatics & Tumbling competes in the spring each year, beginning February 1 and with the national championship tournament held in late April.
"I am very excited to be the first school in Ohio to offer Acro-Tumbling as a collegiate sport," Cox said. "It represents a commitment to our goal of expanding women's opportunities and the student body experience. I fully expect that acro-tumbling will build upon our philosophy of excellence in competition, the classroom and in the community."
Urbana University is the fifth school from the Mountain East Conference (MEC) to join NCATA, including Fairmont State University, Glenville State College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and West Liberty University.
Other NCATA members include Adrian (DIII), Alderson-Broaddus (DII), Azusa Pacific (DII), Baylor (DI), Concordia Univ. of Wisconsin (DIII), Converse (DII), Davis & Elkins (DII), Gannon (DII), Georgetown College (NAIA), Hawaii-Pacific (DII), King (DII), Quinnipiac (DI), and Oregon (DI).
The NCATA stands as one of the fastest rising sports in collegiate athletics, boasting 19 total programs from 13 states ranging from Connecticut to Hawaii.
About the NCATA
The NCATA is the governing body of the sport of Acrobatics & Tumbling, organized as a 501c3 non-profit entity. Varsity collegiate competition began in the spring of 2011 and Acrobatics & Tumbling was adopted as a discipline of USA Gymnastics in 2013. NCATA member institutions include all levels of the NCAA – Division I, II, and III.
