WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University Athletics Director Warren Keller, '10, has announced Céline Dazé, '13, as the department's first STUNT head coach for the newly established program.
 
Coach Dazé begins her duties immediately and will be recruiting prospective Bison to join the first Gallaudet STUNT varsity team for the 2024-25 school year.
 
"Céline is one of the most accomplished deaf prep coaches out there. I have for a very long time admired her work, commitment, and knowledge of the sport of stunt and cheerleading," said Keller. "The Cheerleading Competition at the Clerc Classic is always the highlight of the weekend every year and the newly formed National Deaf Cheerleading Competition is one of the biggest tournaments every year for deaf students."
 
Dazé brings over 20 years of experience in the cheer community. Most recently, Dazé was the head coach at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) for 10 years. Under Dazé's direction, the Eagles won the 2024 National Deaf Cheer Competition (NDCC) Division I Championship a year after they placed second. The Eagles have brought home seven straight Clerc Classic championships.

"I am excited to lead Gallaudet University's first-ever STUNT program as the inaugural coach, celebrating the deaf community's talent and strength," said Dazé. "Let's embark on this journey of growth together, fueled by teamwork and dedication, as we pave the way for new possibilities."
 
STUNT is a NCAA Emerging Sport for Women that was passed in January 2024. This spring sport incorporates skills derived from cheerleading and features teams going head-to-head to perform and execute skills-based routines in different categories such as partner stunts, jumps and tumbling, pyramids and tosses and team routines. Gallaudet must compete in a minimum of six meets.

"As we are starting up this program and aligning with fall sideline cheerleading with Coach Tara Miles and winter MotionZ, which has just been announced as an athletics club, Céline is the perfect person to round up this program and ignite the new sport of STUNT at Gallaudet," added Keller. "I know that all of the student athletes under her tutelage are going to thrive as a person on and off the court."
 
Dazé was a Gallaudet cheerleader for three season (2008-11) where she graduated with a degree in Psychology. Dazé cheered for the Frederick (Md.) Outlaws, a semi-professional football team in the Diamond Football League for a year.
 
Dazé holds certification in USA Cheer Safety, CPR/First AID, concussion in sports, heat illness prevention and sports nutrition.

Dazé married her high school sweetheart, Dmitry (Dima) Rossoshansky '10, who is a Gallaudet University graduate. Rossoshansky showcased his athletic skills during his time at Gallaudet, as a running back on the football team before transitioning to the role of linebacker towards the end of his career.

If you are interested in making history and being part of Gallaudet's first STUNT team, please contact Coach Dazé at celine.daze@gallaudet.edu.

More information on general tryouts and a 2025 schedule will be announced at a later date.