SHERMAN, Texas – Austin College has named Alyssa Freeman the head coach of its new cheer and STUNT program, announced director of athletics David Norman. Freeman most recently served as the head spirit coach at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas. 

"We're excited to welcome Alyssa to Austin College to lead our newest program," said Norman. "She brings tremendous experience and knowledge of both cheer and the exciting, up and coming sport of STUNT."

Freeman, a native of Midlothian, is a 2018 graduate of Cumberland University. She received her master's degree in Sports Administration from East Central University in 2020. Prior to working at Hutchinson, she served as the head cheer coach at Tulane University. She also previously worked in that same role at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

"I am so excited to be a part of the new culture that is starting at Austin College," said Freeman. "I have an absolute passion for cheer, not only coaching it, but also being part of it. I've been a part of cheer since I was six-years-old, and being able to mentor, guide, and coach student-athletes is something I strive for."

STUNT is considered the fastest growing female sport in the country, in which athletes focus on the technical and athletic components of cheer, including partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, group jumps, and tumbling while removing the crowd-leading element. The sport features head-to-head routines with competing teams performing simultaneously over four quarters, with points being awarded at the end of each round.

Currently, STUNT has been recommended as an NCAA Emerging Sport for consideration in January 2022. Austin College will begin intercollegiate competition in the sport during the 2022-23 academic and athletic year, and will be the second Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference school to offer the program, joining Centenary College. 

"My goal is to create a positive atmosphere for cheer and to also build a program that can begin a new legacy for years to come," said Freeman. "STUNT the sport will not only bring new faces to campus, it will also bring a fresh new start to the cheer program."