Sep 3, 2010 1:48:03 PM

USA Gymnastics will sanction events held by the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (formerly known as the National Collegiate Stunts and Tumbling Association). NCATA hopes to establish stunts and tumbling, formerly called competitive cheer, as an NCAA emerging sport for women.

Steve Penny, USA Gymnastics president, called the decision to work with the NCATA a "natural extension" for his organization.

"The sport combines many of the skills taught throughout gymnastics disciplines," Penny said. "This provides a natural pathway for USA Gymnastics athletes in the acrobatic and tumbling disciplines, along with gymnasts who have participated in artistic gymnastics, to the college level. This has the potential to grow into a much larger opportunity for gymnasts."

The NCATA formed earlier this year as a governing body over several institutions that sponsor team acrobatics and tumbling at the varsity level, including Baylor, Maryland, Oregon and Quinnipiac. The group hired Blake in July and will hold a national championship in the sport in April 2011. The group's goal is to earn emerging-sport status with the NCAA.

 "USA Gymnastics is an established and respected governing body," said John Blake, NCATA executive director. "We have made great strides as an organization and this developing sport. This serves as yet another catalyst for our expansion at the NCAA level, and provides the NCATA with an established protocol that supports our growth."

The most recent sport to be added to the NCAA emerging sports list was sand volleyball, which will be added in Division I in August 2011. The sport was added after the volleyball community, led by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, lobbied for its inclusion, pointing to the popularity of the sport at the club and collegiate levels.

To be added to the emerging list, a sport like stunt or acrobatics/tumbling must present a proposal to the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics. The proposal must address various factors, including participation at all levels (high school, intramurals, club level), potential NCAA structure and rules, opinions of a coaches' association, interest from conferences and support from the U.S. Olympic Committee, if relevant. The sport community also must demonstrate that at least 20 programs are competing at the collegiate level (in club, varsity, NAIA or other such competition) to prove that there is a core foundation on which the sport can grow.

For the Committee on Women's Athletics to consider the sport as emerging, 10 university presidents and athletics directors must send letters of commitment. The letters are valid for one year.

After analyzing the sport's viability in the NCAA, the Committee on Women's Athletics makes a recommendation and each division decides if the proposal makes its way through the legislative cycle.

The NCATA has outlined a six-part competition, including a variety of skills such as basket toss, tumbling and pyramids.