Last year, the FAU Cheerleading team did not welcome males to cheer on their squad. This prompted the would-be returning male cheerleaders, and some females as well, to make the FAU Competitive Cheerleading Club, which competed in the spring. They finished 2nd nationally in their division. This year, the team is already turning heads because of their new coach. She has already welcomed males on the cheerleading squad and went to a training camp in South Carolina in the beginning of August.

Heather Coker-Anderson has more then 20 years of cheerleading experience under her belt. At the University of South Carolina, she was co-captain of the varsity cheer squad. She also is the President and Co-Founder of Cheer Formance X-Treme, a cheerleading organization that gives personal lessons to cheer hopefuls. Coker-Anderson has invited both male and females to tryout for the squad. As cheer coach, Coker-Anderson is also in charge of the mascot.

Last years captain Sara Orr believes that coach Coker-Anderson is really improving the team. “She is bringing a lot of discipline to the team. The team is in the best physical shape and appearance since I have been at FAU. She’s working us like football players.”

Sara also explained to me that there are no captains on the squad this year. The only captain will be Coach Coker-Anderson. Sara told me she believes this is a good thing for the team.

Tryouts for the fall will be held in the FAU Gym on August 26, 27 and 28. Mascot tryouts will be held on August 24th from 5:00pm-9:00pm in the gym. For further information on tryouts, the squad, or the coaches, please visit www.fausports.com.

Sara OrrJackie HutterGrant GolvstienJessica WrightBrittany NaddyNyasha NeedChimera BrowneAlex QuionesStephanie ReedMonica MadeaCody WoodfellLauren WaltonKasey Smith