ROCKLIN, Calif. - Jessup Athletics is pleased to announce the hire of Alexis Welch as the first-ever head coach for the Warrior's new STUNT program set to launch in the Fall of 2020. 

Welch commented on her excitement to be at the helm of building Jessup's STUNT program, "This is a great opportunity for female student-athletes to be a part of one of the fastest-growing women's sports in the country. We are excited to offer another opportunity for student-athletes to compete at the highest level of STUNT in Northern California."
 
Welch comes to the Warriors with a wealth of knowledge as a specialized coach in the STUNT organization, as well as personal experience as an NCAA Div. I cheerleading and STUNT student-athlete and coach.

"The hiring of Alexis Welch as our first-ever head coach for STUNT shows how serious we are about making STUNT an impact sport for Jessup and a flagship program for the NAIA," athletic director Lance Von Vogt commented. "Alexis competed in STUNT at NCAA Division I Cal Poly and then immediately upon graduation became the lead assistant coach, she has shown herself as one of the most driven young coaches that I've come across in my years as a collegiate administrator. She brings uncommon energy and enthusiasm to every day in addition to an enormous amount of technical knowledge and STUNT strategy to the table." 

Hailing from Galt, Calif., Welch brought STUNT to her hometown, Liberty Ranch High School where she built the program from the ground up serving as the head coach for the past 5 years. But her drive and impact in the STUNT arena don't stop there, she also serves as a head instructor for Universal Cheerleaders Association the past six years and four years as a Varsity Spirit judge and USA Cheer official. 

Executive Director of USA Cheer, Lauri Harris has worked closely with Welch and says she will be a great asset for Jessup in launching STUNT, "Being a local cheerleader from the Northern California area, attending college while cheering and been promoted to the assistant coach at Cal Poly, she comes with a wide range of cheer and STUNT experience. Her knowledge of the talents in California will be a great benefit as she creates a strong foundation for the Warriors to build their program on."

In 2018 and 2019 Welch left her mark as she was named the 2018 UCA West Coast Veteran Instructor of the Year while helping guide Cal Poly Cheerleading to the title of Game Day National Champions in Division 1A at UCA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida. This past season, while on staff, the 2019 Cal Poly STUNT team earned a bid to compete at the College STUNT National Championship in Norman, Okla. where they finished in the top four teams in the country. 

As a student-athlete, she competed for the Mustangs in both cheerleading and STUNT all four years serving as a main and secondary base. While at Cal Poly she was part of two teams that went on to the UCA College Nationals ( 2014 and 2017).

Welch has built a program before so her excitement to get started recruiting a class of 30 has already commenced in her first days on campus. 

Von Vogt said he was impressed by the enthusiasm from the start of the interview process. "One of the things that stood out in the hiring process is how naturally relational she is. Coaching 36 student-athletes is a handful for anyone, but her natural ability to be relational will be invaluable to her and our success."

Looking to build a family culture, Welch is hoping to set the standard high with winning traditions for the new program both on and off the mat, "I'm looking forward to welcoming 30 new Warriors onto our beautiful campus and helping them grow not only as athletes but academically and spiritually as well."
   
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).