By: Amelia Valery

The University of Montevallo is adding its 23rd sport.

With the recent addition of men’s wrestling, Title IX requires an even number of men’s and women’s sports at one university. The solution: women’s tumbling and acrobatics.

Tumbling and acrobatics will have its first competitive season in the spring of 2025, marking the 12th new intercollegiate sport to be added in the last 10 years.

“We’re excited about the continued growth within our athletic department,” Montevallo Athletic Director Mark Richard said in a statement. “We’re proud to offer the opportunity for talented student-athletes to pursue acrobatics and tumbling at the collegiate level. We look forward to adding to our high-achieving student-athlete population on campus.”

Montevallo will be the 35th NCAA Division II school and 52nd across NCAA Division I, II, and III to add tumbling and acrobatics to its roster; aiding in its growing popularity throughout the country. There are more than 900 student athletes estimated to be competing in the sport for the 2022-23 season.

“The NCATA welcomes Montevallo to the Acrobatics & Tumbling community,” NCATA Executive Director Janell Cook said in a press release. “Montevallo becomes our first member in the state of Alabama.  Gymnasts and cheerleaders in the state, and region, will benefit from new, unique opportunities to be a varsity student-athlete at Montevallo.   We look forward to working with Athletic Director Mark Richard and his team to implement their program.” 

The University of Montevallo will be the only school to compete in tumbling and acrobatics in the Gulf South Conference.