KINGSVILLE, Texas (January 26, 2024) — In June, Javelina Athletics announced the addition of the 14^th varsity level sport--STUNT--for female student athletes. Today, the university community is welcoming the leader of this new sport, as Lindsey Garcia steps in to bring STUNT out of its infancy.
 
"We are incredibly fortunate to have Coach Garcia serve as our inaugural STUNT head coach. Her passion for STUNT is matched only by her commitment to her native South Texas and providing opportunities to the regions talented STUNT athletes. Coach Garcia is ready to lead this new program and our student athletes to excellence," said Dr. Robert H. Vela Jr., university president.
 
Steve Roach, executive director of Javelina Athletics, echoed the sentiments. "STUNT is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation and I am confident we have selected an outstanding coach to develop a successful program in Javelina Athletics.
 
"Coach Garcia has competed at the national level as a student athlete and has demonstrated she has the skills to lead a competitive team, while ensuring our students are successful in the classroom as well," Roach said.
 
"I am beyond excited to start the first ever STUNT team at Texas A&M-Kingsville. Cheer has always been a huge part of my life, having had the privilege of cheering at Blinn Junior College and Sam Houston State University," Garcia said.
 
"I honestly cannot wait to see where this new journey takes not only me as a coach but also the program and the athletes that are making this possible. I am looking forward to starting new traditions, building a legacy here at TAMUK, and creating a family for my athletes," she added.
 
About Lindsey Garcia
Lindsey Garcia was born and raised in Kingsville, but graduated from high school in San Diego She attended Blinn Junior College as a freshman and then transferred to Sam Houston State University where she earned her bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies. She has been an elementary art teacher for the past three years.
 
In addition, she is a head instructor for National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), a cheer company that was founded in 1948. She teaches cheer camps for middle and high school teams. NCA hosts many cheer competitions
 
About STUNT
STUNT is one of the fastest-growing female sports in the country and focuses on the skills and technical elements of cheer, including partner stunts, team routines, pyramids, basket tosses, and more. During a competition, two teams go head-to-head over four quarters, with each team being awarded points based on its skill execution. As each element is finished, the winning side takes the round and point, and has the chance to select which routine will be performed next. 
 
The four quarters are partner stunts, jumps and tumbling, pyramids and tosses and team routines. There is no high limit to the number of athletes on a team, but there must be at least 16 to take to the court.
 
Javelina STUNT will begin competition in spring 2025 as well as Conference opponent St. Edwards. Currently, four other Lone Star Conference schools sponsor the sport at the varsity level--Dallas Baptist, Texas Woman's, St. Mary's, and UT Tyler.
 
STUNT matches will be played at the Steinke Physical Education Center.

Anyone interested in the Texas A&M-Kingsville STUNT program reach out to molly.roach@tamuk.edu for more information!