Bolivar, Mo. – Cheer and STUNT Head Coach Kayla Duffey has informed SBU Director of Athletics Mike Pitts of her resignation to pursue other professional opportunities.
 
Duffey has been coaching the SBU Cheer team for over 5 years and served a major role in bringing STUNT to SBU. In 2018, Duffey became the programs first head coach. During the 2019-20 season, Duffey's team was ranked 5^th in the country out of all NCAA DII programs who compete.
 
Director of Athletics Mike Pitts had this to say about Duffey, "I am so proud of the work that Kayla Duffey has done here at SBU. She started our STUNT program in 2018 and, under her leadership, it has grown into an exciting, energetic, competitive sport that the entire SBU Family enjoys. I have appreciated Kayla's attitude, work ethic, and love for STUNT during the past three years as our head coach. We will certainly miss her - but wish her the very best in the future."
 
On April 2, 2019, Duffey coached the team to their first win in program history. The event was held at SBU, their first ever STUNT tournament. They defeated Independence Community College with a 9-0 shutout. In last spring's home tournament, the Bearcats defeated Missouri Baptist by a dominating score of 16-3.
 
Pitts had these comments regarding the future of the STUNT program, "I have been in close contact with Dr. Melson and Dr. Skinkle. We are 100% committed to keeping STUNT as a sport at SBU. We appreciate the hard work and commitment of these student-athletes. STUNT is important to us and we look forward to seeing our team in action this year!"
 
 Southwest Baptist University Athletics will begin a search shortly to fill the Head Cheer and STUNT Coach position. More information on that will be released soon.