FULTON, Mo. – For the third time in the last year, William Woods University (WWU) is adding a new intercollegiate sport to its roster of athletic opportunities for student-athletes. Athletics will be adding competitive cheer beginning fall of 2023, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Steve Wilson announced today.
 
The Owls now have 24 intercollegiate sports. Cheerleading will move from a scholarship club sport to an intercollegiate one while still maintaining sideline cheer.
 
"I'm excited to take our cheerleading program to another level with competitive cheer, while retaining the rich history and gameday experience that William Woods cheerleaders have established for many years," stated Wilson. "Competitive cheerleading brings an energy in its performance that is unmatched, in many respects. It's fun, fast, and I think The Woods will enjoy this new and extremely entertaining sport."
 
The addition of competitive cheer is the third major expansion announced by WWU Athletics in the last year. In the 2022 calendar year, the University added intercollegiate men's and women's bowling, men's and women's wrestling, outdoor life sports, developmental baseball and developmental softball.

Competitive cheer will compete as a NAIA Championship sport in the winter of 2023-24. Competitive cheer became a NAIA Championship sponsored sport in 2016-17.
 
The search for the inaugural Director of Owls Spirit has begun. To apply, click here.