THE NEXT CHAPTER

IRVINE, Calif. – Westcliff University President and CEO Dr. Anthony Lee officially approved the addition of Women's Flag Football and STUNT to the university's athletics offerings on Wednesday, with the announcement formally made Thursday by Athletic Director Cesar Rivas.

The additions will increase Westcliff Athletics' varsity sport total to 16 teams as the university continues to expand its footprint within the NAIA landscape.

Both programs will begin immediately as varsity sports, with national coaching searches now underway.

"We are incredibly excited to officially launch Women's Flag Football and STUNT at Westcliff University," said Rivas. "These are two of the fastest-growing women's sports in the country, and we believe the timing is perfect for Westcliff and Warrior Nation to be part of that momentum."

Women's Flag Football has experienced explosive growth throughout California in recent years. The CIF officially sanctioned girls flag football in 2023, with participation numbers and school sponsorship rapidly increasing across the state.

At the collegiate level, the NAIA has been at the forefront of the sport's development, elevating Women's Flag Football to invitational status as the sport continues its push toward long-term championship recognition.

"Orange County and Southern California have quickly become a hotbed for elite women's flag football talent," Rivas said. "The next order of business for us is hiring an outstanding head coach who can build a championship culture and lead this program from day one."

STUNT, a head-to-head competitive sport derived from traditional cheerleading, has also seen major national growth at the collegiate level. The sport emphasizes athleticism, synchronization, technical precision, and team execution through a structured competition format focused on partner stunts, pyramids, tumbling, and team routines.

Earlier this year, STUNT reached NCAA Championship Sport status, marking another major milestone in the sport's continued expansion.

"We are proud to continue expanding opportunities for women's athletics at Westcliff University with the addition of STUNT," said Rivas. "This addition reflects our ongoing commitment to growth and innovation in women's sports while providing another opportunity for student-athletes to compete at a high level and represent Westcliff with pride."

Since joining the NAIA in 2021, Westcliff Athletics has experienced rapid growth both competitively and institutionally. The Warriors have captured multiple conference and national championships across several sports while continuing to expand opportunities for student-athletes throughout Southern California and beyond.

Additional information regarding coaching hires, recruiting timelines, and competition schedules for both programs will be announced at a later date.

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