ROCKLIN, Calif. – The eyes of NAIA STUNT will be directly fixated on Rocklin this spring as the reigning National Champions look to defend their title in 2023. Entering just its third season, the Warriors will look to make history yet again as another year of Jessup STUNT gets underway in early February.
 
Jessup, entering year three of STUNT, did the unthinkable in 2022 when they beat Vanguard to capture the 2022 NAIA STUNT National Championship. It was a feat even their head coach didn't expect to happen so soon.
 
"In year one, when we started this program, myself and Brandon Bowling, we talked about giving the program five years for this to happen," said head coach Alexis Blunk. "To be able to do it in year two was just absolutely crazy."
 
Now with a target on their back, the Warriors will test themselves right out of the gate when they take on three NCAA Division I programs in their first five games.
 
To start the season, the Warriors will begin in the same setting where they hoisted the trophy one year ago, Warrior Arena. Jessup will host UC Davis on February 3, the first-ever meeting between the Warriors and Aggies.
 
From there, Jessup will hop on a plane to Dallas to test themselves against more stout competition. The four-game trip, taking place February 17 – 18, sees Jessup start things against the University of Kentucky. It will be the first time any Jessup program has squared off with the Wildcats. The Warriors will also take on St. Mary's University (Texas) and Texas Woman's University before wrapping things up against the Red Raiders of Texas Tech.
 
Facing DI opponents, says Blunk, is all part of the plan for Jessup as they look to take another step in year three. "This year, our goal is to go out there and play those big DI schools, and not just play them, but we want to beat them. We know we can hold our own in the NAIA now, and so now we want to keep moving up."
 
More growth will take place around the Warriors this season, as the GSAC sees five schools now house STUNT programs. While it is not enough to officially qualify as a GSAC competition, the Warriors will get the opportunity to take on many of the same schools other teams around Jessup routinely do battle with.
 
On the schedule from the GSAC in 2023 will be Hope International (March 3), Vanguard (March 4), and OUAZ (March 24). That March 4 contest with Vanguard will be one to circle, as it is a rematch from the 2022 National Championship game.
 
All schools from the GSAC that house a STUNT program will then come together March 31 – April 1 to hold the first-ever GSAC STUNT Championship at Hope International's Darling Pavilion.
 
"It's super cool to see the sport growing, especially in our area and in California," added Blunk. "And now that we have actual GSAC schools in our conference, it's super cool to play the same teams that basketball and baseball, and everybody else is playing so we can have those same Jessup rivalries with them."
 
The Warriors round out the season with more action against NCAA opponents. Jessup will host their head coach's alma mater on March 3 when Cal Poly comes to town. Sonoma State and Saint Mary's will also pay a visit on March 25. The season ends with one more match against UC Davis on April 7.
 
Jessup will also make a road trip to Fullerton to square off with Concordia-Irvine and Riverside Community College on March 18.
 
The 2023 STUNT College Nationals take place April 21-22, this year in Oklahoma City. Jessup will have these dates circled as they hope to once again leave with championship gold.
   
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 Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).