Siena athletics to add a new sport in 2027-28
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Siena University athletic director John D'Argenio is leading a search for a coach for a new sport at his school.
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Siena is adding women's acrobatics and tumbling as its 22nd NCAA Division I sport, starting with the 2027-28 academic year.
D'Argenio said Tuesday he already received applications from coaching candidates, one day after Siena made the announcement.
"We have a few in, so we'll start ASAP, trying to identify some candidates and interview people," D'Argenio said. "Ideally, we'd love to have somebody in the next couple of months, so they can start recruiting for next year."
Siena becomes the 54th collegiate institution to sponsor acrobatics and tumbling as a varsity sport. Athletes perform a series of synchronized skills in events such as acrobatics, pyramid, toss, tumbling and team routines in front of judges.
Competing during the spring, Siena's acrobatics and tumbling team will hold its home contests at UHY Center, also the school's venue for women's basketball and volleyball. The Saints will compete in six to 12 meets in matchups of two or three teams.
Acrobatic and tumbling programs typically carry 35 to 45 student-athletes, according to Siena, one of many schools grappling with enrollment issues. Siena's enrollment dropped more than 9% last year.
"I think it's very important ... to help contribute to the overall enrollment," D'Argenio said. "I think we do a reasonably good job now, but if we can find ways to add incremental students and give them a good athletic experience, I think that's really important."
The NCAA will hold its first championships for acrobatics and tumbling from April 22 to 25, 2027.
"Our focus is on strategic growth that delivers real value for students," said Siena president Chuck Seifert in a news release. "Acrobatics & tumbling expands opportunity, enhances the student experience, and positions Siena to compete nationally as the sport enters NCAA championship status."
It's the first sport Siena is adding since men's and women's indoor and outdoor track in 2015-16.
D'Argenio said Siena will offer some partial athletic scholarships for acrobatics and tumbling. Siena will determine the amount after comparing with other schools.
Siena becomes the sixth Metro Conference school to start acrobatics and tumbling, joining Canisius, Iona, Manhattan, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart.
"Along with the enrollment piece, what we've seen is it's become more and more popular across the country," D'Argenio said. "It's an emerging sport for women in the NCAA. … The NCAA will host a championship, and from an athletics standpoint, that was attractive. And then I also think from a recruitment standpoint, not just more students, but they come from different parts of the country or the region that we might normally recruit students from."
While Siena will have to buy mats and other equipment, D'Argenio said, acrobatics and tumbling doesn't require another facility or retrofitting UHY Center. The school can also use other parts of the Marcelle Athletic Complex for practices, he said.
D'Argenio said he's spoken to officials from other schools, including Canisius and Iona. The Golden Griffins went 4-3 in their inaugural season last year. Iona, which added the sport in 2024, went 3-4 last season.
The National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) currently governs the sport and draws its athletes from gymnastics, cheerleading, diving, dance, and other strength-based sports, according to Siena.
D'Argenio said he will hire a full-time head coach and a part-time assistant.
"It's somewhat like recruiting for any coach, right?" D'Argenio said. "You try to identify somebody that can have good relationships with their players and understand the values of Siena."
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There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Siena athletics to add a new sport in 2027-28.