OWENSBORO, Ky. – Kentucky Wesleyan College and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Jason Vittone are proud to announce the additions of STUNT, Men's and Women's Cross Country, and Archery/Trap/Skeet as official Kentucky Wesleyan athletic programs.
STUNT and Men's and Women's Cross County will be NCAA Division II sponsored programs, while Archery/Trap/Skeet will compete as a club sport. All will begin competition in the 2027-28 season.
"Adding STUNT, Men's and Women's Cross Country, and Archery/Trap/Skeet at Kentucky Wesleyan College is a strategic step forward, not just for athletics, but for the institution as a whole," said Vittone. "These new programs will bring talented student-athletes to campus who will enhance the vibrancy of our community. They create additional opportunities for leadership, competition, and engagement across campus. Just as importantly, they support our commitment to providing a well-rounded student experience that integrates academics, athletics, and personal development."
The President of Kentucky Wesleyan College, Dr. James Cousins, is excited about the positive direction campus wide.
"Kentucky Wesleyan is growing, and this expansion accommodates and makes room for that growth," Dr. Cousins said. "Each of these programs align with our broader vision, which includes new graduate programs, a four-credit academic model, piloting a block schedule in fall 2027, and engaging in partnerships that will enhance the visibility and brand of Kentucky Wesleyan."
"I'm thrilled to be here at a time of such great promise and realized potential," Dr. Cousins continued. "I'm also grateful to work alongside our Athletic Director and his exceptional staff."
Mr. Steve Divine, Board of Trustee and Chair of the Admissions and Athletics Committee, believes these new programs will continue to enhance the overall experience at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
"We are excited to be offering student-athletes more opportunities to compete at the collegiate level," Divine said. "STUNT and Archery/Trap/Skeet are two of the fastest growing sports in the country, and we are thrilled to once again be offering Cross Country. We firmly believe our athletic programs play a vital role in the overall educational value at Kentucky Wesleyan, and adding these sports will open more doors for our student-athletes."
The addition of these programs will bring a new crop of student-athletes and families to Owensboro, providing benefits to not only the College but to the city as well.
"This expansion strengthens our connection to the Owensboro community and the surrounding region," Vittone said. "These sports will attract new families, create additional campus events, and increase visibility for the college. We see this as an opportunity to deepen community engagement and continue building pride in The Wesleyan Way."
"At its core, this decision is about opportunity and creating more pathways for students to pursue their passions at a high level while earning a Kentucky Wesleyan education," Vittone continued. "Each of these sports offers access points for new populations of student-athletes and reinforces our mission to serve students in meaningful and impactful ways."
STUNT and Men's and Women's Cross Country will join Wesleyan's existing athletic programs in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. KWC has been a member since the G-MAC became an official Division II conference in 2012.
"We're excited to see Kentucky Wesleyan enhance its athletics program with the addition of three new sports, including STUNT and Men's and Women's Cross Country, of which the G-MAC sponsors championship events," G-MAC Commissioner Tom Daeger said. "These sports not only expand participation opportunities for student-athletes but also strengthen the competitive depth and visibility of our conference. The Panthers STUNT team will bring sport sponsorship to eight programs for the 2027-28 academic year, and all league members will now support cross country. This announcement reflects Kentucky Wesleyan's commitment to excellence and aligns with the conference's broader vision for strategic growth and student-athlete success."
"We're proud to continue growing within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference," Vittone said. "We're committed to being an active, forward-thinking member institution that contributes to the league's continued success."
As Kentucky Wesleyan College looks ahead, these additions mark another step in the College's continued commitment to enhancing the student experience.
"This is an exciting time for Kentucky Wesleyan," Vittone concluded. "We're not just adding sports; we're doing our part in building momentum for the future of the college."
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