Bluefield State College announced the addition of an Acrobatics & Tumbling program earlier this week as BSC President Robin Capehart and Interim Athletics Director Derrick Price announced the school’s plan to add 12 athletics programs during the 2021-22 academic year.
Bluefield State will become the 33rd program to sponsor Acrobatics & Tumbling at the varsity level, including the 22nd member that competes at the NCAA Division II level. BSC is also the seventh program in the state of West Virginia and is the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to add the sport.
“Adding Acrobatics & Tumbling will bring nothing but excitement and energy to our campus,” said Price. “Bluefield State College is thrilled to be able to compete next year. We are also proud to be the first HBCU to offer Acrobatics & Tumbling.”
In addition to Acrobatics & Tumbling, Bluefield State also announced the addition of women’s soccer, women’s golf, women’s swimming, women’s bowling, women’s indoor track & field, women’s outdoor track & field, men’s indoor track & field, men’s outdoor track & field, men’s swimming, football and wrestling during the 2021-22 academic year. Once the 12 sports are officially added, Bluefield will offer 22 athletics programs.
“Making this commitment to these young people also means making a commitment to doing all the things that go with a full-bore athletics program; including new and improved facilities, upgraded training facilities, new residence halls and meal plans. It also means working with the Provost and Deans so that our athletes have a tremendous academic experience as well,” Price stated in Bluefield State’s official release earlier this week.
“We are excited to have Acrobatics & Tumbling included in the expansion of athletics programs at Bluefield State College,” said NCATA President Dr. Renee Baumgartner. “The addition of opportunities for women is our mission, and Bluefield State has made a big commitment to women’s sports by adding seven new programs.”
NCATA Executive Director Janell Cook also congratulated Bluefield State and praised their commitment to athletics opportunities for women.
“Regionally, Bluefield State is in a great position for competition with existing NCATA members,” said Cook. “They are also well positioned for the recruitment of potential student-athletes, especially with their renewed commitment to recruiting more student-athletes of color. We look forward to working closely with them to achieve those goals and to build a successful Acrobatics & Tumbling program.”