Northwest Nazarene University Athletics

Kelli Rich was announced as the first head coach in NNU STUNT history in September of 2024, taking the reins of the program after the athletic department's 16th intercollegiate sport was revealed in June.

"We are blessed to have Kelli as our new STUNT Coach," said Rush. "She has the drive, intellect, and ability to launch this program and ignite the new sport of STUNT at NNU. Kelli is a tremendous fit for our University and Athletic Department, and as a leader and mentor she will have a great impact on the athletes she brings to NNU."

With more than twenty years of experience in coaching cheerleading, Rich has already been deeply dedicated to the sport and mentoring young athletes. As the head coach of a successful cheerleading program in Nampa, Idaho, she has led multiple teams to victory, achieving five consecutive district championships and seven state tournament awards. Numerous athletes she has coached have progressed to collegiate cheerleading and subsequently gone on to coach successful teams in their adult careers.

"As a cheerleading coach, I have seen the incredible impact cheerleading has in shaping young athletes into resilient and well-rounded adults," said Rich. "I am dedicated to remaining active in the cheerleading community and excited to build the STUNT program at Northwest Nazarene University, where I can share my experience and passion with future generations of Nighthawks.

"I take immense pride in helping athletes develop not only their athletic skills but also their confidence and teamwork capabilities. 'The Pyramid of Success Playbook' by John Wooden holds a special place on my bookshelf, because of its focus on the essential elements of teamwork. My commitment to building a strong team is focused on cultivating a culture with well-defined expectations, utilizing individual strengths to achieve team success, and empowering individuals to recognize their strengths given by the Lord."

Kelli and her husband, Cody, happily call Nampa, Idaho their home. They have three children – a vibrant daughter who excels in cheerleading, a son who is thriving in his college baseball journey, and their eldest son who serves with pride in the U.S. Navy.