PITTSBURGH — Abby McDermott has learned to expect a puzzled response whenever she shares her passion for acrobatics and tumbling. There’s often a brief pause, a head tilt, or a curious glance that suggests confusion as she explains her sport. “When you mention ‘acrobatics and tumbling,’ especially the word ‘acrobatics,’ people often think of the circus,” she chuckles, recognizing the look of bewilderment that comes with it.
As a graduate student at Duquesne University, McDermott finds herself frequently refining her descriptions of the sport. “It’s cool, but people are often like, ‘What?’” she says. “So you end up elaborating by saying it’s somewhat like gymnastics and cheerleading, but without the cheering.” In acrobatics and tumbling, there are no balance beams or vaulting tables, nor are there pompoms or chants. Instead, athletes showcase their skills on a massive foam mat while performing flips, jumps, and stunts over a two-hour period.
The sport originated in 2009 when a small group of colleges sought to create a new avenue that combined elements from both gymnastics and cheerleading to promote female athletes. Known for its competitive spirit similar to another cheerleading-oriented sport named STUNT, acrobatics and tumbling has seen explosive growth, with participation in the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) increasing from 14 teams a decade ago to over 50 programs, totaling more than 1,200 athletes, including those from Duquesne, which just joined earlier this month. The NCAA recognized acrobatics and tumbling as an emerging sport in 2020, and it may achieve NCAA championship status as soon as the academic year of 2027-28.
At first glance, the rapid rise of acrobatics and tumbling appears to align with a broader interest in women’s sports. However, its presence has been somewhat underappreciated until now. Statistics indicate that over 3 million girls in the United States are involved in cheerleading or gymnastics; however, only a small percentage continue competing at the college level.
The NCATA is working to present acrobatics and tumbling as an appealing option for college athletic programs. With possible team sizes reaching up to 50 and minimal equipment costs (the only requirement is a floor mat), this sport provides schools with a practical way to enhance their compliance with Title IX while allowing athletes to extend their competitive opportunities.
“There was an unmet need,” stated Janell Cook, the executive director of the NCATA. “This sport came along to fill that gap.” For Duquesne University, which boasts a female undergraduate population exceeding 60%, the addition of acrobatics and tumbling seemed like an ideal choice as athletic director Dave Harper explored ways to bolster women’s sports at the school. “The more I looked into acrobatics, the more it felt like a perfect fit,” he shared.
Harper appointed Michaela Soper as head coach in the spring of 2023. A former artistic gymnast who turned to acrobatics after an injury, Soper gathered a squad of 34 athletes, most of whom are freshmen, from 15 different states. Duquesne’s football team, which competes in the FCS, has players from 18 different states.
“In places where the Duquesne name isn’t well-known, she has created a presence, which is exciting,” Harper remarked.
Soper’s journey began in the suburbs of Baltimore, where she had aspirations of becoming a college gymnast. An unfortunate fall during practice shattered those dreams, but Gannon University, a small private institution in Pennsylvania, offered her an opportunity to join its new acrobatics team. Initially skeptical, Soper was drawn in by the supportive atmosphere. “They made me feel valued, as if I truly mattered,” she recalled.
Soper quickly embraced the importance of teamwork in acrobatics, enjoying the trust required in the sport. This sentiment resonates with McDermott, who is now one of the most seasoned athletes on Duquesne’s roster, having previously spent four years at Glenville State in West Virginia. She has taken on a mentor role as her team is predominantly made up of freshmen. McDermott noted, “Learning to rely on my teammates was challenging, but working hard for those around me has been rewarding.”
Aside from the athletic aspects, acrobatics has helped improve McDermott’s mental health. After spending 15 years as a gymnast, the rigorous demands of traditional gymnastics sometimes felt monotonous. In contrast, acrobatics offered her a refreshing change. “It was both frustrating and invigorating,” she reflected, appreciating the new challenges the sport presented.
In acrobatics and tumbling, each athlete is assigned a specific role, which can include “bases” who support lifts, “tops” who perform aerial stunts, and “back spots” catching dismounts. Meets focus on six events, with each routine featuring unique requirements. The teams operate in heats while maintaining a tempo set by a designated member, enhancing coordination. Each performance is scored based on its difficulty, culminating in a team event showcasing skills along to music, akin to competitive cheerleading.
During their first-ever competition on February 7 against Gannon, Duquesne made significant efforts to engage the audience, incorporating video explanations between events for the crowd filled with family, friends, and students. Their performance occurred against an energetic beat in an atmosphere buzzing with excitement. Although Gannon, a nationally recognized team, initially took the lead, Duquesne kept pace and surged ahead during the tumbling segment.
As their inaugural meet concluded with a shout of “Go Dukes!” during the team event, Soper, dressed in a striking blazer and heels, rushed to celebrate with her team, each member aware they were part of a historic moment.
While some athletes may have known little about acro before joining, they shared a mutual goal: to keep competing. Soper emphasized, “This is not just gymnastics or cheerleading; it is something entirely new. It provides athletes with a supportive community, regardless of their background or skill level.” Acro offers a unique and inclusive experience for those who cherish the sport and want a place to belong.
