LYNCHBURG, Va. - Randolph College Director of Athletics Tom Galbraith  announced Friday that Shania Thorpe has been hired as the school's inaugural head coach for STUNT.

The WildCats added STUNT as a future varsity sport this winter and will begin competition in the 2024-25 academic year. Thorpe begins her duties as head coach on May 15 and will spend the first 15 months of her tenure recruiting the first STUNT team to compete for Randolph.

"During the interview process it became clear to the campus hiring committee that Shania was the right choice to lead this unique and innovative program for Randolph," Galbraith said. "Her experience as a championship collegiate coach and program builder already in the region will translate well to the type of program Randolph is looking to build."

Currently, more than 60 schools across the country offer varsity STUNT, including 13 NCAA Division III institutions. At the time the sport was announced for the WildCats, Randolph was the only school east of the Appalachian Mountains and south of New Jersey to sponsor STUNT at the varsity level.

"I am extremely grateful to be selected as Randolph's first STUNT coach," Thorpe said. "Being able to build this program is historical for the college and the student-athletes who will join the team. This is the beginning of a great story."
 
Thorpe comes to Randolph from fellow ODAC institution Averett University where she has been the head cheer and dance coach since the summer of 2021. While with the Cougars, her teams have won two national championships and one Grand National Championship.

Thorpe is the founder of Shania Lee Choreography, which she began two years ago. She also serves as choreographer and diversity consultant with Lynchburg Dance Connections since 2018.

Thorpe graduated from Liberty University in December 2017 with a Bachelor's of Science in Strategic Communications. Currently, she is pursuing her MBA in Leadership Concentration from Averett and is scheduled to graduate in May 2023.

Thorpe concluded, "I am most looking forward to meeting my future team and making history while enjoying every moment that comes with it."