From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & BRAND STRATEGY
Bowling Green State University cheerleading is once again national champions after taking gold at the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s College Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
The Falcons won the top prize in the Small Coed Division IA, besting second-place Minnesota and third-place Penn State to win the University’s first cheerleading national championship since 2014.
Tyler Bill, spirit programs coordinator and cheerleading coach, said this year’s team has been defined by its togetherness, with a group of like-minded and well-rounded students working to achieve a common goal.
“Whenever things got tough in the gym or we had a tough practice, they bounced back so quickly because they could count on their teammates,” Bill said. “They wanted to be great for each other and not just for themselves. The gym atmosphere and our team culture through nationals was fantastic.”
The BGSU Dance Team also had a successful showing at its national competition by qualifying for preliminary rounds in the D-IA dance jazz category and finishing in the top 15 D-IA dance game day category.
Bailey Weaver, a Thompson Scholar from Norton, Ohio, who is a senior on the cheerleading team, said the program’s family dynamic has been what has helped it achieve remarkable heights this year.
“Everyone on our team is super talented, but what I think makes BGSU Cheer so special is that it’s truly a family atmosphere,” she said. “Everyone is there for each other and super supportive, and it makes everything about our team that much better. I’ve made lifelong friends who I consider family through our program.”
For students who choose to become part of spirit programs at BGSU, being part of a team often becomes a critical part of their college experience that helps them thrive in the classroom and in their future careers. BGSU offers a comprehensive spirit program as part of the University’s vast student experience, ranked as the No. 1 public university in Ohio.
“Being a part of something bigger than them actually pushes them in their academic career,” Bill said. “Our athletes really have to hold themselves to a high standard to be a part of the program, so you often see them excel in the classroom. In doing so, they’re really able to enjoy the college experience of being part of a team, traveling to games and competing at big national competitions.”
In turn, students often gain skills that are useful to them well beyond their college days, Bill said.
“Our athletes are very good at balancing both academics and their team,” Bill said. “I think it’s really something they hang onto past graduation and into their future lives.”
