Randolph College announced the creation of two new athletic teams on Thursday, Jan. 26.
The two new sports, women’s STUNT and men’s volleyball, will join the WildCats for the 2024-25 academic year.
“The addition of women’s STUNT and men’s volleyball marks an exciting time in the strategic growth plans for Randolph Athletics and the College as a whole,” said Tom Galbraith, director of athletics. “The expansion of our offerings in athletics aligns with the vibrant new academic programs being developed at Randolph. There is definitely a palpable positive energy around campus, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that momentum.”
The addition of the two new teams brings Randolph’s sponsorship to 20 varsity programs.
STUNT will compete as an NCAA Division III institution with the USA Federation for Sport Cheering (USA Cheer) as its governing body. Men’s volleyball will compete as a NCAA Division III sport.
A search for head coaches for both of the teams will begin immediately, allowing for a year-long recruiting cycle prior to competition in 2025.
“Both of these sports are growing in popularity,” Galbraith said, adding that their addition to Randolph’s athletics program provides more opportunities for students to pursue both their academic and athletic passions.
Currently, more than 60 schools across the country offer varsity STUNT, including 13 NCAA Division III institutions. Randolph will be the only school east of the Appalachian Mountains and south of New Jersey to provide the varsity sport.
The number of men’s volleyball programs within the NCAA Division III has grown to at least 115 institutions, including four fellow Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) opponents (Eastern Mennonite, Randolph-Macon, Roanoke, and Virginia Wesleyan).