— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall has established a new Women’s STUNT program as part of its varsity athletic program.
The university on Monday morning announced the hiring of Evynn Richard as the program’s first head coach.
Richard comes from national STUNT power Cal Baptist, where she has served an assistant coach, and will be introduced to her new position during a press conference Tuesday, May 26.
“We are thrilled to welcome Evynn to the Marshall family,” Marshall Vice President/Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison said. “She is an innovative leader with a wealth of knowledge and deep connections across STUNT on both the national and international levels. Coming highly recommended by USA Cheer and respected peers across the country, she brings a proven ability to elevate programs and people.”
Marshall first announced the intention of starting a STUNT program in late February around the same time the MU Board of Governors decided to end the university’s women’s Swimming and Diving program, citing the costs of operations and needed facility improvements.
The Board of Governors reversed that decision less than a month later as Marshall officials said both programs were needed to maintain the university’s Title IX scholarship requirements between male and female athletes.
Richard was part of the staff for the most dominant STUNT program in recent memory as Cal Baptist has won six consecutive national titles. The latest of those titles was achieved last weekend as the Lancers defeated Kentucky 27-22 in the final at Lipscomb University.
Richard has served as an assistant coach for the past five National Championships garnered by CBU.
“The addition of STUNT to Marshall University’s distinguished roster of athletic programs represents a meaningful opportunity to contribute to the legacy of The Herd while further advancing authentic Division I athletic experiences for female athletes,” Richard said. “I am so excited to bring the wealth of experience I gained from my role as coach for one of the most successful STUNT programs in history to Marshall as we establish this new program and cultivate a positive-cultured competitiveness through the eastern regions of the country.”
Richard also has international coaching experience. She serves as the Skills and Coach Development Program Director for Cheersport Netherlands — the National Cheer Federation for Netherlands.
— — — — —
Marshall baseball’s scheduled home game against Virginia Tech on Tuesday evening has been cancelled.
A statement from Marshall Athletics says the matchup is no more after Virginia Tech officials opted out of the contract.
It is disappointing Virginia Tech opted out of traveling to Huntington for Tuesday’s scheduled return game. Regardless, I want to thank Herd Nation for purchasing your tickets, parking etc to root on @HerdBaseball all season! You make The Jack special! #WeAreMarshall https://t.co/GaG2IywDyD
— Gerald Harrison (@GJHJ) May 11, 2026
Marshall defeated the Hokies 13-4 in Blacksburg, Va., back on March 3.
The Thundering Herd (23-28, 13-14) won two of three weekend matchups against UL Monroe, though it failed to complete the sweep Sunday.
Marshall ends the regular season with a three-game series at Texas Stat beginning Thursday. The Herd and Bobcats are in a three-way tie with Old Dominion for seventh in the Sun Belt standings.
The top 10 teams in the SBC qualify for the conference tournament.