ERIE, Pa. - Ruthanne Mineo, current head coach of the Mercyhurst Cheerleading team, has been named the program's first-ever STUNT Head Coach. 

She was a member of the cheerleading team from 2013-2016 and was voted captain in her final year on the team. She then moved on to coaching for Maplewood High School for five varsity seasons. Most recently, she has been coaching Cheerleading for the university.

"We are excited for Ruthanne to build a solid foundation for our STUNT program," said Assistant Vice President for Athletics Brad Davis. "She is eager to begin recruiting her first class and we look forward to watching the program grow under her leadership. STUNT continues to expand amongst colleges in the region and we are looking forward to competing next spring." 

Mineo noted, "I am so excited to be a part of history in the making at Mercyhurst University. Mercyhurst is trailblazing in the world of STUNT being the first University in the state to have the program. It is an honor to take on this position in a sport that offers new opportunities to female athletes from many athletic backgrounds. My goal is to build a strong foundation for STUNT that will have a long-lasting legacy at the University." 

STUNT is one of the fastest-growing female sports in the country. It removes the crowd-leading element and focuses on the technical and athletic components of cheer, including partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, group jumps, and tumbling.

Mercyhurst officially added STUNT as the department's 26th varsity sport in October. The program will begin competition in 2023-24, with STUNT a spring sport in collegiate athletics.

Recruits looking to be a part of the first-ever roster in school history should click here.

Social Media handles are:

Instagram: @hurstSTUNT
Twitter: @hurstSTUNT