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(JimmieAthletics.com) – University of Jamestown Director of Athletics Sean Johnson announced today that Ashley Stubbs has been hired as the school’s new competitive cheer and dance coach.

Stubbs, who will graduate from the university in December, will recruit student-athletes this year to compete on the school’s first competitive cheer and dance teams beginning in the fall of 2017-18.

The Galt, California, native has over a dozen years of cheerleading experience and served as an assistant coach at the high school level.

She has also served two internships in the University of Jamestown Athletics Department and is a current cross country student-athlete after competing for two years as a member of the Jimmie track teams, including last year’s North Star Athletic Association championship squad.

“Ashley has the drive, determination and skill to not only get our competitive cheer and dance program up and running, but to make it a successful program,” said Johnson.

“I’m excited to be starting our cheer and dance program from the ground up and to have the opportunity to represent my alma mater and wear the black and orange,” said Stubbs.

The Jimmie competitive cheer and dance teams were approved as affiliate members in the Great Plains Athletic Conference beginning next fall before the school becomes a full member in the fall of 2018-19.

Last week the GPAC Council of Presidents approved the change of GPAC Cheer and Dance to a Championship Sport.  For the last three seasons GPAC Cheer and Dance had Invitational status within in the conference.

In April the NAIA announced Competitive Cheer & Dance as a national championship sport, the only athletics association to offer a national championship in this sport.

“One of the unique things about our program is that unlike many schools, we are competing for conference, regional and national championships and will be fully integrated like any other sport into the athletic department,” Stubbs said.  “That’s something a lot of schools can’t offer.”