Varsity NCA College Nationals: A History of Cheerleading Excellence
The Varsity NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) College Nationals stand as a pinnacle in collegiate cheerleading. This annual competition, organized by Varsity Spirit, showcases the athleticism, skill, and dedication of cheerleading squads from universities and colleges across the United States. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a nationally televised event, the NCA College Nationals has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of modern cheerleading.
The Origins of NCA and Collegiate Cheerleading
The seeds of modern cheerleading were sown in 1948 with the establishment of the US National Cheerleaders Association (NCA). Founded by Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer, a former member of the Spirit Squad at Southern Methodist University, the NCA aimed to unite cheerleaders and provide opportunities for learning and skill development.
Herkimer, often referred to as the "Grandfather" of cheerleading, recognized the need for structured training and standardization within the sport. In 1951, the NCA held its first cheer camp at Sam Houston State University, attracting a modest number of athletes. The camp's popularity quickly surged, with attendance skyrocketing to 450 athletes the following year. These summer camps, led by outstanding collegiate cheerleaders, offered classes in cheer and tumbling, establishing a foundation for the skills and techniques that would define competitive cheerleading. The NCA summer camps were held at around 430 different sites, with 1,500 instructors. Today the NCA still hosts summer camps as a way to bring new skills to teams in a safe controlled environment. The main goal of the summer camps is to help teams and athletes learn more about cheerleading. The summer camps are supposed to help athletes learn new skills and enhance old skills. The NCA summer camps are a way for teams to get started and ready for the season.
The Birth of the UCA College Championships
The Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Division I-A College Championships emerged in 1978, marking a turning point in the recognition and popularity of collegiate cheerleading. The competition was first introduced in 1978 on CBS Sports and is run by Varsity Spirit. Televised on CBS Sports, the event provided a national platform for university and college cheerleading squads to demonstrate their abilities. The UCA College Championships quickly gained traction, attracting teams from across the nation eager to showcase their routines, which consisted of gymnastics, partner stunts, dance moves, pyramids and high-tosses called basket tosses.
Evolution of the Competition
Over the years, the UCA College Championships have evolved to reflect the changing nature of cheerleading. The routines have become increasingly complex, demanding a high level of athleticism, precision, and creativity. The judging criteria have also been refined to emphasize technical skill, synchronization, and overall performance quality.
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The competition features various divisions, including large co-ed, small co-ed, and all-girl, allowing teams to compete against squads of similar size and composition. This divisional structure ensures a level playing field and promotes healthy competition among diverse programs.
Dominant Teams and Historic Victories
Several universities have established themselves as powerhouses in the UCA College Championships, consistently demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication. The University of Kentucky stands out with a record-breaking 24 national titles in the large co-ed division. Their consistent success underscores the program's commitment to excellence and its ability to adapt to the ever-evolving demands of competitive cheerleading. Hofstra University has won the most small co-ed championships with 10, and Indiana University has won the most all-girl titles with six.
The University of Alabama won the most recent co-ed event in 2025, winning their fourth title. The 2025 all-girl competition was won by the University of Mississippi, their first ever title.
Only four teams have ever won consecutive co-ed championships in UCA Division I-A history. The University of Kentucky has done it five times. The Wildcats first accomplished this in 1987-1988 and, most recently, from 2016 to 2019. The other cheerleading squads to achieve consecutive championships are the University of South Florida (2021-2023), NC State (1990-1991) and Ohio State University (1981-1983).
The NCA College Nationals Experience
The NCA College Nationals are held in Daytona Beach, Florida in April. Athletes from across the country compete at the National Cheer Association (NCA) and National Dance Association (NDA) Collegiate National Championship in Daytona Beach. Teams gather in Daytona Beach to compete against the nation’s top universities in hopes of winning the title of NCA & NDA Collegiate National Champion and taking home the coveted golden trophy. The competitions are based at the Ocean Center and Bandshell.
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The NCA College Nationals have served as one of the most prestigious cheer competitions for 29 years, teaming up with the NDA College Nationals for a yearly takeover of the iconic sands of Florida.
Champions of 2025
The 2025 NCA College Nationals are in full swing in Daytona Beach, Fla., and the first champions are in! The 2025 NCA College Nationals Champions:
- Advanced All Girl Champions
- Advanced All Girl Division I Champions: University of New Hampshire
- Advanced All Girl Division IA Champions: University of Louisville
- Advanced All Girl Division II Champions: Oklahoma Baptist University
- Advanced All Girl Division III Champions: Alma College
- Advanced All Girl Junior College Champions: Blinn College
- Advanced All Girl NAIA Champions: Brenau University
- Advanced Large Coed Champions
- Advanced Large Coed Division I Champions: Weber State University
- Advanced Large Coed Division IA Champions: Texas Tech University
- Advanced Large Coed Junior College Champions: Navarro College
- Advanced Large Coed Open Champions: Westcliff University
- Advanced Small Coed Champions
- Advanced Small Coed Division I Champions: Weber State University
- Advanced Small Coed Division IA Champions: Texas Tech University
- Advanced Small Coed Division II Champions: Lindenwood University
- Advanced Small Coed Division III Champions: Elmira College
- Advanced Small Coed Junior College Champions: Trinity Valley Community College
- Advanced Small Coed NAIA Champions: Oklahoma City University
- Intermediate All Girl Champions
- Intermediate All Girl Division I Champions: Northeastern University
- Intermediate All Girl Division IA Champions: WVU Competitive Cheer Club
- Intermediate All Girl Division II Champions: Dallas Baptist University
- Intermediate All Girl Division III Champions: University of New England
- Intermediate All Girl Junior College Champions: Iowa Central Community College
- Intermediate All Girl NAIA Champions: Oklahoma City University
- Intermediate Large Coed Champions
- Intermediate Large Coed Division I Champions: Wichita State University
- Intermediate Large Coed Division IA Champions: Sam Houston State University
- Intermediate Large Coed Junior College Champions: Iowa Central Community College
- Intermediate Large Coed Open Champions: Slippery Rock University
- Intermediate Small Coed Champions
- Intermediate Small Coed Division I Champions: North Carolina A&T State University
- Intermediate Small Coed Division IA Champions: Mississippi State University
- Intermediate Small Coed Division II Champions: Lindenwood University
- Intermediate Small Coed Division III Champions: University of Massachusetts-Boston
- Intermediate Small Coed Junior College Champions: Dodge City Community College
- Intermediate Small Coed NAIA Champions: Roosevelt University
- Game Day Champions
- Game Day Division I Champions: Utah Valley University
- Game Day Division IA Champions: Brigham Young University
- Game Day Division II Champions: Dallas Baptist University
- Game Day Division NAIA Champions: Our Lady of the Lake University
- Game Day Open Champions: Navarro College
- Spirit Rally Cheer Champions
- Spirit Rally Division I Champions: Tarleton State University
- Spirit Rally Division IA Champions: Mississippi State University
- Spirit Rally Division II Champions: Oklahoma Baptist University
- Spirit Rally Division III Champions: Alma College
- Spirit Rally Division NAIA Champions: Mid America Nazarene University
- Mascot Champions: Georgia Tech - Buzz
- Partner/Group Stunt Champions
- All Girl Group Stunt Champions: University of West Georgia - Sarah, Haley, Jasmine & Journey
- Coed Partner Stunt Champions: Weber State University - Hailey & Josh
Detailed Results of Select Divisions (2025)
To further illustrate the competitive landscape and performance levels at the NCA College Nationals, here are the detailed results of select divisions from the 2025 competition:
Advanced All Girl Division I
- Final:
- University of New Hampshire (95.475)
- California Baptist University (93.6792)
- Utah Valley University (92.8042)
- Harvard University (79.3958)
- Prelims:
- California Baptist University (95.12)
- University of New Hampshire (94.8)
- Utah Valley University (92.47)
- Harvard University (79.28)
Advanced All Girl Division IA
- Final:
- University of Louisville (94.7625)
- University of South Carolina (93.3917)
- Clemson University (92.2917)
- Kennesaw State University (92.2417)
- Oklahoma State University (91.8583)
- Mississippi State University (91.6417) [TIE]
- University of Missouri (91.6417) [TIE]
- Coastal Carolina University (88.675)
- University of Texas San Antonio (86.3583)
- University of Maryland (84.05)
- Prelims:
- University of Louisville (94.5)
- Oklahoma State University (93.28)
- Mississippi State University (92.77)
- University of South Carolina (92.72)
- University of Missouri (92.32)
- Kennesaw State University (91.57)
- Clemson University (90.52)
- University of Texas San Antonio (89.58)
- Coastal Carolina University (88.4)
- University of Maryland (85.5)
Advanced All Girl Division II
- Final:
- Oklahoma Baptist University (95.6667)
- Davenport University (88.1166)
- Southern New Hampshire University (88.1)
- University of Tampa (84.1709)
- Shepherd University (80.475)
- Tiffin University (80.1)
- Georgia College & State University (75.4458)
- Prelims:
- Oklahoma Baptist University (95.67)
- Davenport University (88.67)
- Southern New Hampshire University (88.65)
- University of Tampa (83.28)
- Shepherd University (80.25)
- Georgia College & State University (76.03)
- Tiffin University (74.65)
Advanced All Girl Division III
- Finals:
- Alma College (92.0792)
- SUNY Cortland (89.8083)
- Elmira College (85.375)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (71.4209)
- Concordia University Chicago (70.925)
- Prelims:
- SUNY Cortland (90.93)
- Alma College (88.32)
- Elmira College (84.25)
- Concordia University Chicago (70.7)
- Rochester Institute of Technology (68.43)
Advanced All Girl Junior College
- Finals:
- Blinn College (88.6542)
- Eastern Florida State College (75.5167)
- Prelims:
- Blinn College (88.07)
- Eastern Florida State College (71.72)
Advanced All Girl NAIA
- Finals:
- Brenau University (90.775)
- University of the Cumberlands (85.975)
- Avila University (83.7458)
- Missouri Baptist University (78.9917)
- Rocky Mountain College (67.5208)
- Prelims:
- Brenau University (87.55)
- University of the Cumberlands (87)
- Avila University (83.63)
- Rocky Mountain College (70.78)
- Missouri Baptist University (70.17)
Advanced Large Coed Division I
- Final:
- Weber State University (97.8542)
- California State Univ Northridge (73.2125)
- Prelims:
- Weber State University (96.02)
- California State Univ Northridge (74.1)
Advanced Large Coed Division IA
- Final:
- Texas Tech University (96.9875)
- University of Louisville (94.4625)
- Oklahoma State University (91.7833)
- Univ of South Carolina-Columbia (88.5333)
- New Mexico State University (85.1333)
- North Carolina State University (80.9417)
- Prelims:
- Texas Tech University (94.25)
- University of Louisville (94.05)
- Oklahoma State University (90.13)
- Univ of South Carolina-Columbia (87.73)
- North Carolina State University (86.72)
- New Mexico State University (82.83)
Advanced Large Coed Junior College
- Finals:
- Navarro College (97.1125)
- Trinity Valley Community College (93.0542)
- Iowa Central Community College (82.225)
- Salt Lake Community College (78.4292)
- Prelims:
- Navarro College (95.95)
- Trinity Valley Community College (91.27)
- Salt Lake Community College (76.67)
- Iowa Central Community College (76.65)
Advanced Large Coed Open
- Finals:
- Westcliff University (90.9125)
- Xavier University Athletic Dept (88.3208)
- Lindenwood University (86.375)
- McKendree University (86.025)
- Columbus State University (81.7542)
- Prelims:
- Westcliff University (90.8)
- Xavier University Athletic Dept (90.08)
- McKendree University (85.7)
- Lindenwood University (83.9)
- Columbus State University (83.07)
Advanced Small Coed Division I
- Finals:
- Weber State University (96.1542)
- University of New Hampshire (93.0584)
- University of North Florida (90.6834)
- Stephen F Austin State University (89.7834)
- University of Central Arkansas (88.9167)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (83.6)
- Campbell University (78.6917)
- Boston University (78.5084)
- Central Connecticut State Univ (75.3125)
- Prelims:
- Weber State University (95.47)
- University of New Hampshire (92.13)
- University of North Florida (89.38)
- Stephen F Austin State University (87.73)
- University of Central Arkansas (86.72)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (81.65)
- Boston University (78.63)
- Campbell University (77.77)
- Central Connecticut State Univ (72.75)
Advanced Small Coed Division IA
- Finals:
- Texas Tech University (94.0167)
- North Carolina State University (93.9292)
- Kennesaw State University (92.9708)
- Brigham Young University (92.5667)
- Iowa State University (91.525)
- Sam Houston State University (90.8958)
- University of Kansas (90.8208)
- University of Louisville (90.5084)
- Army West Point (87.2167)
- Clemson University (86.1542)
- Arkansas State University (84.8458)
- California State University-Fresno (83.925)
- Prelims:
- Texas Tech University (93.27)
- North Carolina State University (92.32)
- Sam Houston State University (90.88)
- Brigham Young University (90.82)
- Kennesaw State University (90.68)
- University of Kansas (90.48)
- University of Louisville (90.18)
- Iowa State University (89.85)
- Arkansas State University (86.33)
- Army West Point (85.97)
- Clemson University (84.42)
- California State University-Fresno (82.95)
Advanced Small Coed Division II
- Final:
- Lindenwood University (91.2917)
- University of Arkansas Fort Smith (89.5709)
- Limestone University (89.5334)
- McKendree University (85.9625)
- Davenport University (85.3542)
- Hawaii Pacific University (85.3167)
- Shorter University (81.1459)
- University of West Florida (80.2833)
- Lewis University (76.5)
- Prelims:
- Lindenwood University (90.92)
- University of Arkansas Fort Smith (89.13)
- Limestone University (87.48)
- McKendree University (87.3)
- Hawaii Pacific University (86.87)
- Davenport University (84.12)
- University of West Florida (83.08)
- Shorter University (82.58)
- Lewis University (75.1)
Advanced Small Coed Division III
- Finals:
- Elmira College (88.5333)
- Montclair State University (88.0208)
- Bridgewater State University (87.5709)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (80.1833)
- Prelims:
- Montclair State University (88.43)
- Bridgewater State University (85.63)
- Elmira College (85.08)
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (82.23)
Advanced Small Coed Junior College
- Finals:
- Trinity Valley Community College (94.8292)
- Dodge City Community College (88.5583)
- Mount San Antonio College (72.8083)
- Pierce College (71.1584)
- Prelims:
- Trinity Valley Community College (95.17)
- Dodge City Community College (87.98)
- Pierce College (71.13)
- Mount San Antonio College (67.28)
Advanced Small Coed NAIA
- Finals:
- Oklahoma City University (91.8625)
- UT Southern (87.3125)
- Dickinson State University (86.7875)
- William Woods University (81.275)
- Ottawa University Arizona (79.6042)
- Prelims:
- Oklahoma City University (90.55)
- UT Southern (88.3)
- Ottawa University Arizona (83.62)
- William Woods University (82.4)
- Dickinson State University (81.65)
Game Day Division I
- Finals:
- Utah Valley University (90.6042)
- Merrimack College (85.3542)
- University of Texas at Arlington (85.2)
- Bryant University (84.7416)
- Prelims:
- Utah Valley University (89.57)
- Merrimack College (84.22)
- University of Texas at Arlington (84.2)
- Bryant University (78.47)
Game Day Division IA
- Finals:
- Brigham Young University (92.1083)
- University of Michigan (90.4625)
- Florida Atlantic University (88.55)
- Army West Point (87.4458)
- Prelims:
- Brigham Young University (89.43)
- University of Michigan (89.4)
- Florida Atlantic University (86.4)
- Army West Point (83.58)
Game Day Division II
- Finals:
- Dallas Baptist University (95.4417)
- Lenoir-Rhyne University (87.4625)
- Gannon University (86.7334)
- Wingate University (86.5458)
- Prelims:
- Dallas Baptist University (94.87)
- Wingate University (86.38)
- Lenoir-Rhyne University (86.05)
- Gannon University (86.03)
Game Day NAIA
- Finals:
- Our Lady of the Lake University (82.7625)
- Keiser University (73.5792)
- Prelims:
- Our Lady of the Lake University (81.5)
- Keiser University (72.72)
Game Day Open
- Final:
- Navarro College (90.1167)
- North Carolina Wesleyan University (81.2417)
- Southern Virginia University (80.5792)
- Day 1:
- Navarro College (89.07)
- North Carolina Wesleyan University (80.57)
- Southern Virginia University (80.47)
Spirit Rally Division I
- Finals:
- Northeastern University (94.3055)
- California Baptist University (94.1203)
- Saint Joseph’s University (93.0024)
- Mercer University (92.0926)
- Tennessee State University (91.8565)
- University of Maine-Orono (91.7801)
- Morgan State University (89.9074)
- Merrimack College (89.5741)
- Longwood University (89.1713)
- Furman University (88.7778)
- UC Santa Barbara (88.7361)
- Alabama A & M University (88.4282)
- Gardner-Webb University (88.0648)
- Bellarmine University (87.9607)
- Marist University (87.8449)
- California State Univ Northridge (87.2592)
- American University (87.169)
- Hampton University (86.9467)
- Drexel University (86.8819)
- Southern Illinois Univ Edwardsville (86.1458)
- Illinois State University (85.4676)
- Charleston Southern University (84.5601)
- Fairfield University (82.9931)
- Jacksonville University (81.7685)
Impact and Legacy
The Varsity NCA College Nationals have had a profound impact on cheerleading, elevating its status as a respected and demanding athletic activity. The competition has fostered innovation in cheerleading techniques, promoted higher standards of safety, and provided a platform for athletes to showcase their talents and pursue their passion.
Moreover, the NCA College Nationals have challenged societal perceptions of cheerleading, dispelling stereotypes and highlighting the intelligence, leadership, and academic achievements of cheerleaders. The competition has empowered countless young men and women to excel both on and off the mat, instilling valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.
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tags: #varsity #nca #college #nationals #history
