“Woke up in tears because I can’t believe this is real!” Hopson wrote on her Facebook page following the announcement. “So honored to have been selected as the Topcats 2025 Pro Bowl Cheerleader.”

The fact that Hopson is even back on the sidelines is amazing itself.

After spending her time at WSSU on the Powerhouse Cheer squad in the early 2010s, she tried out for the Carolina Panthers’ squad in 2015 but didn’t make it. She continued to work towards her goal, and in 2021 earned a spot on the TopCats team, balancing work and family with the demands of being on the squad. 

This January, Hopson and her husband welcomed a son into the world prematurely. Both mother and baby recovered, and Hopson got back in the gym as the cheer and dance squad for the Carolina Panthers prepared for tryouts this spring. When the dust cleared, not only did she earn a spot on the squad again — she was named a captain.

This fall, Hopson’s worlds collided as the TopCats paid a visit to her HBCU, showing up to Bowman Gray Stadium to perform at halftime of the WSSU-Shaw game. 

“It was a full-circle moment,” Hopson told HBCU Gameday after the performance. “Just happy to have both my families at my home — Winston-Salem State University — it’s’ the best feeling ever.”

Last week, Hopson got the chance to do it again — this time in Bank of America Stadium as the WSSU Powerhouse performed with the NFL squad once more. 

“Sometimes I wonder what I’m doing,” Hopson said on her quick snap back into the life of an NFL cheerleader while balancing being a mother, a wife and an employee. “But it’s my passion, so I’m happy to be here.” 

Now she’s headed to the Pro Bowl!

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Casey cheered for the FeFe’s at Lincoln University from 2015 to 2019, where she became a standout performer and served as the 45th Miss Lincoln University of Pennsylvania during the 2018-2019 academic year, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology.

The FeFe’s, known for their energetic routines and strong connection to Lincoln’s legacy, helped shape Casey into the athlete and performer she is today. “They are some of the best times, some of the toughest times, but in the end, it made me a stronger athlete, stronger woman, and stronger performer,” Casey said about her time with the team in an interview with HBCU Gameday in January.

After graduating, Casey set her sights on the professional stage. Her hard work and passion led her to audition for an NFL cheerleading squad, where she successfully earned a spot, bringing her talent from HBCU football fields to the NFL’s national platform every Sunday.

Outside of cheerleading, Casey remains deeply involved in her community. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she helps high school seniors with the college admissions process and organizes an annual 5K scholarship run to support aspiring students. She also volunteers at an All-Abilities cheer clinic, welcoming children of all abilities and making sure they feel included.

In 2019, Tamia joined the Philadelphia Eagles organization and thousands of others from the community to ride, run, or walk in the Eagles Autism Challenge. This event was dedicated to raising funds for research and programs to address the complex issues presented by the condition of autism. All participant-raised funds b went directly towards autism research and/or programs at beneficiary partners.

Tamia Casey’s story highlights the impact of HBCU experiences and the opportunities they provide. From her time at Lincoln University to her current role with the NFL, Casey’s journey exemplifies the values, skills, and strength that HBCU programs instill in their athletes.

The post Former HBCU cheerleader finds home with NFL cheer squad appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

North Carolina A&T was the 2024 NCA College National Champions in the Intermediate Small Coed Division l group. Edging out Stephen F. Austin with a final score of 88.3, 0.25, 97.6412.

Jackson State finished fifth in this same group with a final tally of 85.4667, 0.25, 94.3681. Tennessee State was the other HBCU squad in the Intermediate Small Coed Division l group, finishing in 11th place.

The Morgan State Cheer Bears finished second in the All-Girl Intermediate Division finals with a score of 86.10 finishing just behind California Baptist University who finished with a score of 86.80.

“Since the Cheer Bears finished second after Day 1, ultimately we knew we were within reach of that first place position,” said Morgan State Cheer head coach Theresa Coleman-Gibson in an article from Morgan State Athletics.

“Coach Quis (Marquis Johnson) made adjustments to the routine and had the ladies make some necessary corrections which brought us closer to that dream. Despite our team leaving everything they had on the mat, California Baptist was able to narrowly edge us out.”

Nevertheless, Gibson and Johnson expressed immense pride in their team’s performance.

“Coach Quis and I are both so pleased with how the ladies performed while they were here,” said Gibson. “The majority of the team are rookie Cheer Bears, and coupled with our returners, they gave us the best that could be given at this year’s NCA College Nationals.”

“We are extremely proud of them and are anxiously anticipating a first-place finish next year.”

Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) won its second national title in its five seasons as a varsity program.

XULA outscored Westcliff 91.3375 to 89.7166 to win a National Cheerleaders Association national title in the advanced large coed NAIA division. This championship comes only two weeks after the Gold placed second at NAIA nationals.

The Gold won the 2022 NAIA championship and became the first XULA team in any sport to win an NAIA-sponsored national title.

XULA’s head coach Glenn Caston, who has been coaching the team since the program attained varsity status picks up his ninth national title. He coached New Orleans high school teams that won a combined seven national championships in the NCA.

“What a wonderful way to end our season,” Caston said. “The resilience and determination that this team has shown is unmatched. This team will never be assembled again, yet it will motivate all future XULA cheerleaders to keep striving for excellence.”

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On top of the Aggies showing each team what Aggies Do, seven of the cheerleaders became NCA Collegiate All-Americans, including Sari Barnes, Ni’Yarah Horton-Washington, Milani Kimble, Santana Baker, Iycess Hooper, Madisyn Burnette, and Katie Cantey. They all competed in the All-American segment at the camp and walked away with the accolades. 

Alongside the seven All-Americans on the A&T cheer team, the Aggie Dog showed out and became an NCA All-American Mascot. A&T also snatched the NCA Spirit Award and the Spirit Stick when they showcased a routine to each college team about the true essence of Aggie Pride.

“It was a crazy weekend, but overall, it was great,” said North Carolina A&T head cheerleading coach Daniel Kearns-Pickett. “This year’s dynamic has been just a little different from the start. There’s more hunger because we received second place last year by .0925 points. I could tell they really wanted it. They feel like they have something to prove.”

The A&T cheerleading team and coaches celebrated their successful weekend. After a two-day break, they began preparing for the football season while enhancing their skill sets for competition. 

“A lot of our focus is on our skills and tumbling, but also our cheers and dances that we have to prepare for games and homecoming. The skills that we work on for football games and at practice are preparing us for what we will do for our routine (at the NCA Nationals),” said Kearns-Pickett. 

“Right now, we are getting prepared for the Aggie-Eagle classic. That’s like the next big thing for us. The goal is to get all 31 cheerleaders to perform at the first home game.”

The Aggie cheerleaders will make their season debut on Sept. 9 when the North Carolina A&T football team takes on archrival North Carolina Central University at 7 p.m. from Truist Stadium. 

The post North Carolina A&T cheerleaders get gold bid at NCA appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

She eventually transitioned to the Red team where she became one of the faces of the program, which consistently went viral online and made multiple television appearances. Martin and her WSSU teammates even starred in the music video “Jump,” where they danced alongside pop/R&B star Ciara in the summer of June 2022.

Destiny Martin became perhaps the first HBCU cheerleader to take advantage of NIL legislation that allowed collegiate athletes to work with businesses using their name, image and likeness when she became an ambassador for Champion Apparel’s “Get It Girl” campaign in 2022. 

Now she’ll be taking her talents and business acumen east to Elizabeth City State.

“Being the head coach for ECSU confirms that all my hard work within the stomp-and-shake community is not in vain and I am very grateful to be in a position to pour into others,” Martin said. “I am extremely excited for what’s to come this season!”

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Alabama State University cheerleaders will compete for a national championship in April, 2024 after earning the bid following the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) cheer camp in Daytona Beach, Fla.

“We have successfully earned a bronze bid to NCA College Nationals which means we are not eligible in April,” head coach De’One Gregg said. “So now the work begins with training and fundraising. This will be the first time we have competed at the national level.”

The NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship stands as the premier college cheerleading and dance event in the nation, drawing an impressive intake of over 8,000 participants and 20,000 spectators each year.

Located in the sunny Daytona Beach, FL, this event becomes the center stage for athletes hunger for the elite national title. The Bandshell and Ocean Center Convention Center serve as the perfect venues as enthusiastic spectators eagerly return year after year, packing these venues to capacity and thousands more from around the world tune in online through Varsity TV to witness the performances.

The Alabama State cheerleaders earned three superior ribbons and finished second in the Rally Routine segment of the competition. The Hornets also earned the spirit stick in earning the bid to nationals with a bronze bid.
 

The bid is the first for Alabama State in school history.

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TXSO was far from alone in the field as several other programs performed well.

North Carolina A&T State University finished with a score of  96.31 in the Intermediate All Girl Division I, good for third overall. Florida A&M was right on its heels, scoring 94.63 to finish fourth. HBCUs Alabama A&M University, Bethune-Cookman University and Morgan State all finished in the top 20 in that category. 

Bowie State University finished 11th in the Intermediate All Girl Division II competition, scoring 89.32. Edward Waters University finished with a score of 82.96. 

Southern University advanced to the Intermediate Small Coed Division I finals on Friday, finishing third with a score of 93.76. Fellow SWAC squad Jackson State University finished fourth in that competition. 

Alabama A&M University made it to the finals of the Intermediate All Girl Division I as did Bethune Cookman University.

Tennessee State University advanced to the Intermediate Small Coed Division I.

The post Texas Southern wins National Cheer title as HBCUs perform well appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

“The National Stomp And Shake Cheerleading Federation was an organization that was created out of what we just didn’t have –  on the championship side,” Hales said. “You have amazing living legends like Dr. Paulette Johnson from Virginia State University. You have a living legend like Debra Rivers Johnson of Winston-Salem State University. You have so many people that have made their mark in this world of Stomp and Shake. They just did it out of their passion and what they love.”

Hales, a 2010 graduate of WSSU, decided she wanted to push the movement forward. While Xavier’s (XULA) HBCU cheerleading squad won the 2022 NAIA title, many of the schools that are more stomp-and-shake centric have limited competition options. Most of the larger competitions for cheerleaders don’t incorporate or even acknowledge elements of the stomp-and-shake style that permeates from North Carolina and Virginia. 

“And so when I thought about it, I was like, where are the rules and the regulations? Like what governs us as a unit? Anybody at this moment can come up with a competition. But how come we’re not on the same page? How come we’re still operating in what seems to be a lack? So after having that conversation so many times, I said, Bump it, let me do what we need to do. How do you judge the various styles in Stomp and Shake?

So Hales and NSASCF will be hosting the National Black Cheerleading Championship on Sunday, April 2 at North Carolina Central University. It will be the organization’s first nationally recognized and sanctioned cheer event. While it is Hales’ background and passion, the competition isn’t limited to stomp-and-shake teams.

“You do have some minority teams that would say, ‘I’m not necessarily stomp and shake, non-traditional… I’m not non-traditional…We kinda get iffy there,” Hales said. “So we said, whether you call yourselves stomp and shake or not, we see you. We see that we don’t necessarily get the recognition on these larger floors that we would love to be able to see. So let’s create the opportunity. We don’t have to wait for it. Let’s create.”

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Once it was her turn to adorn the mic she was instant internet gold. Clarington was filmed giving her “honest opinions” during a home basketball game from her cheer spot on the sideline.

“From the fans to the stands. From the team to the coaches; they can get it,” yelled Clarington in the now viral TikTok video. The senior cheerleader’s “commentary” was so good it garnered countless reposts from platforms like ESPN and Blavity and Clarington’s bold in-game energy has been watched and liked by millions across the country.

In a recent interview with SiriusXM NBA Radio, Nailah Clarington speaks about her newfound fame since the viral video.

Clarington said heckling the players isn’t anything new to the ones who know her and even reoccurring fans. “It seems just like a regular game to me. This is the type of talk that me and my teammates do all of the time, so for the world to blow up this one clip it’s crazy and funny to me.” Clarington shared that her basketball connections within her family prepared her for her many years of playful heckling.

If you ever attended any FAMU sporting event you would know that the student section doesn’t come to play. During the interview Clarington jokes about how she’s never alone on the sideline talking to opposing players to get under their skin. “One time the players were heckled so bad and it got out of hand had to be when we (FAMU) played against NC A&T two years ago on the football field. A fight almost broke out between the player and the student section. I was like ‘woah’ we got under his skin with that one, good job guys.Despite the high emotions, we all understand that there’s all love in between the heckling.”

Since becoming a viral sensation Clarington explains she felt no difference because students around campus along with her friends are already accustomed to her heckling ways. But other teachers and students around campus who are not so familiar now recognize her as the “girl from SportsCenter.” “Teachers know I would never be that loud or disrespectful in their class but overall the support has been great from my campus and my community.”

But all good things must come to an end. This will be Clarington’s last season on the FAMU cheerleading squad; she is set to graduate this spring.

But first Nailah will be back on the sidelines… Not as a cheerleader, but as a reporter with HBCU Gameday for coverage of the Florida A&M Orange and Green spring game on April 15th.

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“Petersburg is my home, so I returned home. And one of the first things they said when you come back –  I was a physical education teacher – you’ve got to take the cheerleaders.” I didn’t have any experience in coaching, but I took the assignment because I was grateful to have that opportunity and the rest is history.”

It wasn’t that she lacked experience.

“I became a cheerleader at Peabody High School, which is an all-black high school way back during the Jim Crow Era,” said Johnson, with a still magnetic grin. “I was a cheerleader there. I was actually a stunt girl. I then graduated to being a cheerleader, never tried out. And that was my history. I went to Morgan, tried out for cheerleading there, and was a varsity cheerleader for four years. 

When her time at Morgan State was up, her father helped her get a job at VSC. While she wasn’t prepared for the duty, she took the challenge head on. 

“I wanted to do well because Petersburg is my home and Virginia State was nice enough to hire me,” Dr. Johnson said. “And I don’t know, it just it just happened, though.”

When she took over the program, there wasn’t much distinguishing about the Virginia State cheerleaders. But that was about to change. 

“We did what we could do. We made it do what it can do and the style – the stop and shake style –  sort of evolved. And I would say it evolved because I didn’t have a lot of gymnasts. Although I taught gymnastics, I didn’t want to put my girls at risk. So we stayed on the floor and built all the excitement. We could do there. So it was an energetic kind of… fast-paced movement and people seemed to like it. And the more they cheered for us, the more we innovated and created.”

And the rest is HBCU cheerleading history.

Creating The Woo Woos

Dr. Johnson said she initially reworked cheers from her Morgan State days and integrated those to create something new.

“You had to have the certain look, a certain attitude and a certain – I don’t know –  confidence in what you did and then begin to notice immediately. But after about a year or so, the young ladies that I selected, they brought into the program and the audience started to.”

After a while, Virginia State cheerleaders became so popular that they even earned a nickname that sticks to this day. They became known as “The Woo Woos” within the HBCU cheer circles.

“We were at a banquet once and a guy says ‘that’s that Woo Woo Lady. He said ‘I know why they call you the Woo Woos. And I said, Why, sir? And he said, Because when y’all get out there, people say, Woo Woo. And I said, Yeah, that’s it, I’ll accept that,” Johnson said with a smile. “But really it’s a nickname. And of course, you know that spread throughout the conference where everybody has a nickname and we’re happy to be known as Woo Woos.”

Lizz Robbins was a Woo Woo from 1993 through 1997. She fondly remembers cheering for Dr. Johnson and she says it has impacted her to this day. 

“Cheering for Dr. Johnson was amazing, she not only guided us as a coach in cheerleading, she also guided us as a coach in life. Even though we were a squad, she treated each of us a individuals and helped us grow using our individual strengths,” Robbins wrote.

“A couple of things that I can point out that she helped me discover and improve on is my confidence and discipline. Confidence in myself and the decisions I made while making sure I gave careful thought in my decisions, and discipline with myself, she taught me that you do need to have self-discipline in your life, it will carry you far. I’ve used and continued to use the valuable lessons she’s taught me back then and now, and she let me know I could move my hips just a tad bit more (lol). I’m forever grateful to have been a Woo Woo. Once a Woo Woo always a Woo Woo.”

Stomp-and-shake, the Woo Woos and HBCU cheerleading influence

From the beginning of her career, Dr. Johnson was an innovator – even if it wasn’t by choice. 

“I never asked to be the cheer coach. They just told me that I was going to be. So I accepted that responsibility and then it became absolute fun,” she said.

The position of ‘cheer coach’ wasn’t nearly as defined as it is now – if it even existed at all back then.

“A lot of the CIAA schools did not have a coach,” Dr. Johnson remembered. “They had what would be an advisor. Somebody just took the girls to the game. But I was a true coach working out and every part physical, mental, spiritual aspects of it. And so that pushed everybody to start to put some money into their programs.”

Beyond her impact on the cheer program, Dr. Walker made an impact at Virginia State athletics and beyond.

Dr. Johnson is noted as the first female athletic director in VSU history who coached the VSU softball team to win its first CIAA Softball Championship. She was the first president and founder of the CIAA Cheerleader Coaches Association. She is a 2003 inductee of the VSU Wall of Fame, and 2011 inductee into the CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame.

Johnson made sure to give flowers to other HBCU cheerleading programs she has seen evolve and push things forward.

“We started to get creative with the uniforms created, with the movement, and we didn’t imitate anything. If we saw it before, we wouldn’t do it. So that was the issue. And then it caught on and wonderful. It did, because they were doing great things down in Winston-Salem and up at Virginia Union and of course (NC) Central and just grew from there. And so I am happy to say that I came in and with the Spirit and with a lot of prayer, God came with me and we created what is now the HBCU kind of style.

Now, that style has spread beyond Virginia State, beyond the CIAA and beyond HBCU cheerleading thanks to the internet, specifically social media and Youtube. While she’s been officially retired as the Woo Woos Head coach since 2010, Dr. Paulette Walker-Johnson remains entrenched in the culture which she had a major hand in creating. 

“Well, our style is no longer necessarily unique now. And I go on YouTube also, and I can see cheers that I know the day that it originated, who made up that cheer and I see it all over the country. And that’s a wonderful thing. That is a compliment to, again, what we started. And I’m not going to say it wasn’t going on other places, but I had not seen it before and we just did what we did and worked with what we had.”

The post How Virginia State cheer became “Woo Woos” and changed HBCU cheerleading appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

Ciara broke the Twittersphere when she posted a video of her and her dancers on top of a Ford Bronco to preview her new song “JUMP.” She’s followed up with intensity, releasing a stunning new visual for the single, which drops on July 8, that features the Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Powerhouse of Red and White Cheerleaders.

On an early spring morning, nine cheerleaders and their coaches, Ne’Sheila Washington and Tevin Allen arrived at the set in Los Angeles, California. It didn’t look that way at first. “When the sun came up, it looked like we were in New York City,” Washington said. With some Hollywood magic, the set transformed, and the team was whisked away to hair and make-up to prepare for the day. “They had a different crew member assigned to each cheerleader. Seeing crew members swoop in throughout the day to touch up make-up or provide little water bottles with straws was so cool. It made me feel like a proud mom watching all of this happen,” Washington said.

The trip to California for the “JUMP” video was all business, but the team says Ciara’s dancers made them feel like family. For WSSU Powerhouse Dance Captain Destiny Martin and Team Captain William Johnson, the trip was more than they could ever dream.

“My background is in dance, not cheer,” Martin said. “Seeing all the dancers that I’ve been watching on Instagram since middle school was incredible. Being in the studio with these dancers was amazing. It was also great to see that these professional dancers started exactly where we are and now have successful careers.”

“Being there was very inspiring. I’ve wanted to be a backup dancer since I was very young. I come from a small town, so the dance programs there were not great. Being so busy and focusing on my schoolwork at WSSU made me feel that I may never achieve my dream of being a professional backup dancer,” Johnson said. “This trip and the experience working with Ciara made me see that achieving my dream is really possible.”

Like most interactions in this day and age, this opportunity blossomed with the help of social media. One of Ciara’s dancers saw the WSSU Powerhouse online and knew they would be an excellent fit for the song. Washington said when the team arrived on the set, she could see that the dancers had done their homework.

“Ciara’s team was fantastic. The thing that impressed me most is that they had watched our videos on Instagram and TikTok and were very familiar with our moves. They even knew each of the cheerleaders’ names and the positions that they usually held during Powerhouse routines,” Washington said.

“This made for a magical collaboration,” Johnson said. “Ciara and her team didn’t treat us like cheerleaders; they treated us as a full part of the project.”

Martin says the team exchanged dance moves with Ciara’s dancers, creating a showstopping “JUMP” routine worthy of any viral TikTok Challenge.

“Ciara and Jamaica kept pulling me over to watch the dancing and the playbacks. They were giving me too much power in Hollywood, and I loved it!” Washington said.

This is not the first time social media has put the WSSU Powerhouse of Red and White in the national spotlight. Video of their natural curls, dynamic steps, and it-girl/it-guy confidence has landed the team on “The Real” and Martin with her own deal with Champion. In a world where many young people are focused on filters, influence, and lives where people live as caricatures of themselves, Washington says it’s incredible that the team is getting their due recognition for being authentic.

The best part is these young show-stoppers are learning tangible skills they can use once they graduate. Creating a strong presence on social media has given the team opportunities to learn about marketing, tech, and graphics. “They are bringing many skills to the table and learning so much,” Washington said.

While going to Los Angeles to showcase their talents was undoubtedly a whirlwind experience, the student-athletes remained focused on their primary goal, school. “We went to LA during finals week.” Cheerleader Tiffany Jacobs said, “I woke up at 5 a.m. to take a final exam. Waking up early, being on set all day, and still being able to do a great job with my coursework made me feel like anything is possible. We did one of our finals in an Uber on the way to the beach. We always have to make sure to plan and to have school be our number one priority.”

The WSSU cheer team says their “JUMP” experience motivated them to trust the process and fine-tune their skills, both in and out of the classroom.

“This whole experience taught me about being a better leader,” Johnson said. “I’m upping my game even more. This year I set impossible goals for myself and reached them. I just want to keep elevating and improving.”

Washington said, “I left coaching to raise my family and then returned to the field. I’ve learned that we all need to trust that we are capable and that we should embrace new opportunities,” Washington emphasized, “This is just the beginning of these relationships and opportunities.” The coach has big dreams for the team, “I want Powerhouse to appear on awards shows. Or maybe have their own reality show. This has shown me that there is no ceiling to what they can do.”

The high-energy track “JUMP” features hip-hop group Coast Contra and is sure to be the song of the summer. Still, the team says this experience will stay with them beyond the warm weather season.

“Seeing the whole thing come to life. It was amazing to be there really doing this, creating, and seeing our work materialize. We really bonded on this trip,” Martin said.

“This opportunity showed me that I could really be successful. It opened my eyes that a career in dance is something that I can truly pursue,” Johnson said. “It’s right there for us. We just need to keep going.”

The post New Ciara video “JUMP” features viral WSSU Powerhouse cheer squad appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

Rapper Saweetie was recently named as the latest spokeswoman for Champion athletic wear. Her “Get It Girl” campaign, which uses Saweetie’s song, features 12 female collegiate athletes, among them Winston-Salem State University’s own Destiny Martin.

Martin, a Powerhouse Red and White cheerleader, was “flabbergasted” when Champion reached out to her via Instagram and invited her to an official brand ambassador. Champion spotted Destiny Martin on TikTok where her dynamic and energetic style caught the attention of the company.

“It was very random (to be selected by Champion). We’ve been going viral on TikTok almost every basketball game and my assumption was maybe they saw me on one of those videos because I was often at the front,” said Martin.

Martin signed a two-year Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. As part of her deal, she will have access to mentors and other resources to help develop her professional career interests within the areas of sports, entertainment, media, and marketing all the while getting paid for her involvement.

“I am not always God’s favorite, so I’d never expect such a big opportunity as this to happen for me. I ended up doing some research on the company as well as talked with an athlete from North Carolina A&T, who was also a part of the campaign, just to make sure that this was all really happening.”

Suddenly Destiny Martin was in a whirlwind. Within two weeks she had signed the NIL agreement with Champion, flew to Los Angeles, posed for countless still photos, and shot a commercial with the other 11 female collegiate athletes picked for the project.

“Literally, it all happened so quickly. I flew to Los Angeles and was in California for three days. It was great. I had hair and makeup people at the different sites we went to. I saw sites in California that I’d always wanted to see, and I met amazing people on set,” recalled Martin.

“When I arrived there, I didn’t realize I was going to be part of the commercial, but all of that ended up changing and I signed another contract for the commercial.”

In the most basic terms, NIL is a term that describes the means through which college athletes are allowed to receive financial compensation for use of their name, image, and likeness through marketing and promotional endeavors. The NIL rule was enacted by the NCAA in the summer of 2021.

“I was shocked when they changed this rule,” said Martin. “Never in a million years would I expect companies to invest the amount of money that they are so willing to invest in college athletes. It is truly amazing.”

The flurry of activity around the campaign came in the days just ahead of the CIAA basketball tournament which created a challenge for Martin.

“At first I only told my coach I had been picked because we had practice for the CIAA tournament when the campaign shoots were going on in California,” said Martin. “As soon as I got back to town and got on the bus to the tournament in Baltimore, I told the team.”

Under her contract with Champion, Martin must make campaign-related posts monthly to Instagram and TikTok. She also has a closet full of Champion clothing to wear as the brand influencer.  She is in contact with her brand advisor at least once a week to discuss the campaign and other opportunities.

Martin said she did not have a huge social media following before she was picked.

“My thought was that most companies selected individuals with a big following, but some of us had a pretty normal following. I thought it was great that Champion utilized athletes with true talent instead of just basing it around who can bring in the most profit.”

She said that since she began her role as a Champion brand influencer, her following has grown.

Martin said of the most satisfying parts of this process wasn’t the fact that she was picked, but that cheerleaders were chosen for the campaign along with other college athletes.

“I was surprised cheerleaders were selected because a lot of people claim cheerleading isn’t a sport. We as cheerleaders endure long practice hours and injuries just as the next athlete does, so it spoke volumes about Champion’s brand and the ideals that they stand on to have incorporated not one, but two cheerleaders in the campaign.”

Destiny Martin’s selection has literally been life-changing. Prior to February, she was planning on accepting a job with a digital marketing firm when she graduates this spring. Now, she will return to WSSU in the fall to begin work on her MBA. With an added year of eligibility because of the pandemic, she will be back in uniform as a cheerleader for the university.

“This campaign has been so eye-opening to me,” said Martin. “Covid took a year away from us. After the Champion opportunity came up, I decided to come back. I’ll pursue my MBA and for next year will continue to cheer.”

Destiny Martin will continue to document her journey via TikTok and Instagram.

The post WSSU cheerleader Destiny Martin named Champion brand ambassador appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

On May 4, 2022, at approximately 9PM, Southern University Athletic Department was notified of a social media post which ultimately led to this unfortunate announcement.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of mental or behavioral health issues and to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

Counseling is available at the University Counseling Center for all students and specifically for student-athletes within the department. 24/7 counseling services are available at Holistic Behavioral Health Hotline. Please call (225)368-9602.

We ask for your prayers, love, and support.

Our deepest sympathy to The Miller family, SU Cheer, & friends.
We love you Arlana

#ForeverJag

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Miller and everyone impacted by the passing of this Southern University cheerleader. If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

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EAST GREENSBORO — The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies cheerleading program left everything on the mat when they became Grand National Champions at the Cheer LTD Nationals at Canam competition in Myrtle Beach, S.C., March 18-20.   

The Aggies competed in the All Girls College — Advanced division amongst four other college teams — Belmont Abbey College, Point Park University, St. John Fisher College, and the University of Dubuque. 

N.C. A&T, the only Historically Black College and or University (HBCU) represented at the competition, showed up and showed out. As a result, the Aggies became Grand National Champions while also accumulating the highest score (84.83 out of 100) amongst all teams in each college division. 

In addition to receiving the highest score, they also hit zero! Zero indicates the Aggies had a perfect performance and did not receive any deductions from the competition judges. Their performance lasted two minutes, 15 seconds and consisted of high-level stunts, tumbling, and a flare of the outstanding cheers and shakes that Aggies are known for.  

Head coach Daniel Kearns-Pickett leads the Aggies. He described his teams’ performance as a ‘Thank you Jesus moment.’ 

“All the hard work paid off,” Kearns-Pickett said. “Finally, we did it. I am proud. I cried a lot of times every day that week. It was happy emotions, but I wanted it so bad for them. We finally went and did what we practiced all year to do. It was phenomenal.”  

Senior cheer captain Nyla Jones (Waldorf, MD) has been a part of the program for four years and proudly ended her tenure at N.C. A&T as a Grand National Champion. 

“For me, it’s been four years since I’ve competed at a competition like this,” said Jones. “As a senior, I was very nervous, but it felt good to have the support of my team, my coaches, and the people who traveled to Myrtle Beach to see us compete for two minutes and 15 seconds. The energy was definitely there. We all came together, had good spirits and mentality, and went out there to do what we needed to do.”

The Aggies know that their strong bond and connection on the team had a lot to do with their ability to display perfection. 

Sophomore Iycess Hooper (Brandywine, MD) said it was about N.C. A&T and not any one individual. “It was a team thing for us,” said Hooper. It builds character. It’s all about having fun, being humble, building teamworking skills, and being confident. It’s not going to be easy, but it builds life skills. It’s not just for the sport. The life skills will take you far in the future.” 

The motto for the cheerleading program is “Build an Empire. Leave a Legacy.” 

A&T became the second HBCU cheer squad to win a national championship this year, as Xavier University of Louisiana brought home the NAIA title.

The post A&T cheerleaders win Grand National Championship appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

Finals Performance Highlights

• Xavier wins their first National Championship in any sport; last season the HBCU squad finished in fifth place. It is in just its third year in competition.
• St. Ambrose finishes third for the second time in three years, with a score that would have earned the Red Banner a year ago during their Runner-Up performance
• Indiana Wesleyan recorded the second highest output and marking their best finish at the event in team history
• Reigning NAIA Champions Oklahoma City finished in sixth place; this is the first time they have not finished in the Top Two places
• Hosts Concordia University-Ann Arbor finished in fifth place, slipping down one spot since the prelim scores
• Friday’s preliminary performance accounted for 25% of their total, with the finals on Saturday comprising the other 75 percent.
• Teams posting the highest scores on Day One will have the advantage of slotting in deeper into the competition on Saturday

Final Team Standings

 1. Xavier University (La.) — 93.70
 2. Indiana Wesleyan University — 92.58
 3. St. Ambrose University (Iowa) — 92.17
 4. Dickinson State University (N.D.) — 90.04
 5. Concordia Ann Arbor (Mich.) — 88.82
 6. Oklahoma City University — 85.88
 7. Midland University (Neb.) — 85.59
 8. University of Pikeville (Ky.) — 83.83
 9. Georgetown College (Ky.) — 82.07
10. Missouri Valley College — 81.82
11. Point University (Ga.) — 80.99
12. Missouri Baptist University — 80.72
13. University of Mobile (Ala.) — 79.05
14. University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) — 76.81
15. Friends University (Kan.) — 68.22

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Cheerleading brought Smith to WSSU

The New York native remembers the first time she became aware of WSSU – and it involved cheerleading.

“I actually stumbled upon Winston-Salem State my senior year of high school. Me and my friends were on YouTube. I ran across the 2009 cheerleading team, and I completely became obsessed with the cheerleading squad,” Smith remembered. “Originally, I also was going to be a nursing major, and I know Winston-Salem State has one of the best nursing schools in the country.”

Smith came from a more traditional cheer background in high school, which meant she quickly had to learn the “stomp-and-shake” style cheer that WSSU’s Powerhouse cheer squad has been known for decades. She tried out and made the team at a time when WSSU was making its transition back to the CIAA after a stint in the MEAC. The timing turned out to be perfect for Smith.

“When I came into came to Winston, we had just gotten back into the CIAA, so it was kind of like ‘we’re back and we’re coming back with a bang.” Smith remembered on the steps of Bank of America Stadium,” she said. “The football team was top notch. I cheered when we went to the D2 National Championship. Unfortunately, we did not come out with the win, but it was a great experience. Just the whole energy I heard in the past — I guess where in the MEAC — the spirit wasn’t there, but during my tenure at Winston we had all the pride. All the spirit of the games had like the most energy, the basketball games, the football games, the band, everything was just at the highest caliber and it was the best experience.”

Road to becoming Carolina Panthers TopCat

As Smith’s collegiate career came to a close, she knew she wanted to keep cheering and set her sights on cheering for the Carolina Panthers. So in 2015 she tried out for the Topcats. She remembers it as being a tough experience and she didn’t make it very far. 

“I didn’t I didn’t know what to expect. So over the years, I started taking technique classes because I come from a strictly cheerleading/stomping-and-shake background,” Smith said. “I didn’t grow up in competitive dance, I didn’t take dance classes or anything like that, so I was starting from scratch.”

Smith spent the next couple of years cheering for other semi-pro and pro teams, including the Baltimore Blast, as she relocated out of the area. When she knew she was on her way back to North Carolina she decided to give it one last go.

“I told myself this was going to be the last time I auditioned because I am getting older. I do have a daughter who I’m starting to put into cheerleading myself and it’s time to invest in her. But I wanted to give myself one more chance because I just felt like it was my time.” 

And this time, in 2021, it was Brandi’s time. 

“It took so much hard work and every year, I always wondered why. Of course, sometimes you knew why, but I always saw like, am I ever going to get this opportunity? Is it ever going to be my chance? And even having friends who were able to make teams and just see them have this experience and I want to be supportive of them. I’m their friend, I want them to make it. But in my head, I’m like, am I ever going to get that opportunity? So after years and years of no’s and finally hearing that, yes it’s like — ‘thank you.’ Finally.”

Smith says she’s thankful for her time as a cheerleader and a student-athlete, which helped her get the drive she needed to push through to follow her dream. 

“Bowman Gray was an experience within itself, but I’ll say the first game I could do is just like scan the whole environment because I really never been to NFL games in its entirety,” she said. “So one of my first games actually has been on the field at my first preseason game, and there were times where little tears came down my eyes because I literally never thought – I never thought I would be here, so it’s just been a humbling experience, and I thank God every day. But this opportunity, and I don’t take for granted any moment that I’m here. Anytime I’m around my teammates my coach, I’m just completely grateful.”

The post How Brandi Smith went from WSSU to the Carolina Panthers appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

The video caught fire not only for the fierce stomp-and-shake style that WSSU cheerleaders – as well as many other CIAA cheer squads – are known for. It was also due to their look, which featured several young ladies wearing their hair in a natural state.

There are more than a thousand comments on the video, the majority of them positive, and many focused on the natural look. So much so that many viewers said they found inspiration in the 40-plus second clip. 

That puts a smile on Destiny Martin’s face, adorned with a golden natural crown full of flowing curls. The senior from Chesapeake, VA is a cheer captain for the program and says that reading the comments about the natural hair meant everything to her. 

“For so long, I think people were to push for wearing their natural hair, in their natural state, instead of only the people with short hair being able to wear it,” Martin said. “Like why can’t people with long hair wear it? So I feel like now, we’re kind of pushing it forward.”

Martin and her teammates are in their first season under head coach NeShelia Washington. Washington is an alumnus and former WSSU cheerleader herself. Since taking over the program in July she’s been mixing the traditional with bold, new ideas. 

“The traditions never change here at Winston-Salem State University – however – things evolve,” Washington told HBCU Gameday. “So it’s been a joy coming in and getting ideas from the new cheerleaders, taking in their perspectives and letting them be the creative vessels for the program.”

Martin says Washington came in with an emphasis on making everything their own and putting their stamp on things. 

“It was very inspirational to see that people were taking on to their look,” Washington said. “And not that we’re trying to change anything, but we have to evolve as a program. 

Washington made it clear that it’s not an anything-goes program, but that she wants her team to be their authentic selves while being a part of the program.

“It’s still what looks good in the uniform, but their natural state is gorgeous,” she said. “And that’s from short hair, mid-length, long hair. I prefer for them to be comfortable when they are cheering because I think they can perform their best when they do so.”

Martin appreciates that freedom, and she is excited about inspiring cheer squads to be more open.

“I think we’ve been transitioning into kind of taking more of our natural beauty state on this team. I think that’s really inspiring a lot of people, especially people that are also a part of cheer teams in the HBCU community. Because if you look at the teams – a lot of them don’t wear their natural hair. It always weaves or braids or something,” Martin said. “So somebody that’s coming into college you might think ‘oh, well that’s what I have to look like too.” But I feel like that video – that was a statement piece that you can come as you are and still look good and still glow up. Because we’re glowing up off the video.”

Of course, the WSSU Cheerleaders aren’t the first to wear their natural hair. But Martin pointed out what she feels is a sizable difference.

“In the past people have also worn the natural hair, but it was short cuts or no hair at all. This year – and sometimes last year – you’ve seen people with lots of hair,” she said. “I think it’s truly an inspiration to people to say ‘hey, you can just look how you are, and it be okay.”

As for Washington, she said she was excited for her team to get the recognition she believes they deserve for their look. But she also acknowledged a few comments regarding whether or not their stomp-and-shake/dance-heavy routines were actually cheerleading. She’s not just satisfied with challenging cheer hairstyles, she wants to show the versatility she is pushing for in her program. 

“People don’t always understand that cheer involves doing it all. You have to be able to cheer, dance, stunt, tumble – everything. You have to be a full package,” Washington said. “So our overall goal is to delete that stereotypical mindset that cheer is just this one thing and we want to be able to show the world that we can do it all.”

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Talladega College athletics is excited to welcome Ashli as a full-time coach,” commented Director of Athletics Kevin Herod. “Our commitment to her will help us grow programs that have a big impact on the game environment and help us compete for championships in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

Hill is a Nashville, Tennessee Native. She has been trained in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, African and hip hop. While a student at Malone Studios Dance Academy. While attending Malone’s, she was specifically trained in aerial silks, where she was taught in Nassau, Bahamas, while participating in their yearly culture exchange. During her senior year in high school at Nashville School of the Arts, she was fortunate to be a backup dancer for Disney Channel star Coco Jones. She was also given the opportunity to take a choreography class and create 3 of her dances.

After dancing on tour, she pursued her college education and became a Sophisticated Lady with the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands. She was privileged to perform with the band for our former President of the United States, Barack Obama. Ms.Hill has participated in multiple stage productions and has hosted her own hip hop and heels classes.

Ashli is a 2021 Talladega College Alumni. Ashli has a daughter, Tyla. She is now a resident of Talladega, Alabama.

Talladega College Competitive Cheer & Dance will officially begin will competition during the 2021/22 fall/spring season. For more information about the team, please contact Coach Hill by email at CheerandDance@talladega.edu

The post Former TSU dancer hired as Talladega cheer coach appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

Members of the Southern University Cheerleading Program participated in the 2019 NCA/NDA Collegiate Camp in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina under the guidance of Taylor Stewart.

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During the three-day camp, members of the program were able to learn, participate and compete in various categories at the camp. This year’s camp was the 25th anniversary of the NCA/NDA collegiate camp and hosted over 900 campers.

SU Cheer competed in the Game Day & Rally Routine division. It received first place in the rally routine section over Florida International University & Presbyterian College. It also received a silver (at large bid) to the 2020 NCA College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Southern University cheer is officially under the supervision of Southern University athletics. As it prepares to compete in Dayton next year, it welcomes all former SU cheerleaders to be a part of its SClub to former student-athletes or JagSUnlimited for non-athletes to directly support Southern University athletics which encompasses its cheer program.

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“Coach Respass not only understands the rich culture and history of North Carolina A&T State University as an alumnus, but she also has great pride and love for the tradition Aggie cheerleading established as a competitive squad. We are looking forward to the innovative and fun ideas coach Respass is going to bring to the program.”

A&T’s previous coaching staff was relieved of its duties this spring after allegations of Title IX violations surfaced, eventually bringing the program to an early halt during basketball season.

Former A&T cheerleader Raina Gee said that the previous coaching staff failed to report when she came to them and told them she had been raped. Gee also said that members of the cheerleading squad bullied her.

Respass is a 2014 graduate of North Carolina A&T in the field of industrial and systems engineering. She received her graduate degree in the same field in 2015. She was a N.C. A&T Gold Squad cheerleader from 2010-14 and served as team captain for two seasons. She works at Procter and Gamble as a department leader along with her coaching duties at N.C. A&T.

As the head of the Aggies cheerleading program, Respass will develop and teach exciting new routines, conduct practices, lead fall and spring tryouts, instruct on stunting, jumping and tumbling, emphasize safety techniques and organize cheerleading camps for prep students.

Respass will also be tasked with returning the Aggies to competitive cheering along with having the team available to cheer at N.C. A&T sporting events and making appearances in the community and on campus.

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N.C. A&T won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) cheerleading championship four straight seasons from 2007-2010.

“I am blessed to have the opportunity to live in my passion and build upon the brand of Aggie cheerleading,” said Respass .”As a former cheerleader at North Carolina A&T, I am excited to continue the legacy of developing strong student-athletes as positive representatives of the university and the community. I look forward to a great season!”

The post North Carolina A&T tabs alumnae as new cheerleading coach appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

They weren’t making a fashion statement, though. They were there to show solidarity with a cheerleader who says that her coaches didn’t take her seriously when she told them she had been raped.

They are a part of a group called “NCAT Against Injustice,” formed shortly after one cheerleader took her story to the world when she felt it was being ignored. In just over a week, her courage has sparked new awareness and dialogue on the Greensboro campus and beyond.

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Boldness with a purpose

Raina Gee came to North Carolina A&T to get an education, have fun and be a cheerleader.

Instead, the 18-year-old from Virginia has become an inspiration to many young women. But it’s a burden her mother wishes she didn’t have to bear.

“I’m very proud of my daughter,” Delores Gee said. “She has a purpose.”

The cheerleader with A&T’s Blue Squad posted a letter on Feb. 1 stating that she had been raped by a former drum major and graduating senior in Nov. 2018. Her letter, first reported by HBCU Gameday, urged that the cheer staff be fired after failing to report the alleged assault in a timely manner.

Her letter, posted with the hashtag, #ThisEndsWithMe, sparked several young women from A&T as well as UNC-Greensboro to take to Twitter and share their stories as well.

Following her letter, North Carolina A&T officials said an investigation was underway. The Blue Squad was suspended for two games this past weekend, Saturday against Delaware State and Monday against Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Gee said that the young man her daughter says raped her has also been accused of assaulting several other women and was removed from campus on Friday. A&T officials have not confirmed that at this time.

She said her daughter’s boldness inspired them to come forward.

“She told the girls, ‘you have the same courage as I do.’ Her strength is just amazing to me.”

Cheer Culture Change Needed?

A parent of a former A&T cheerleader told HBCU Gameday the accusations of neglect do not surprise her. She says it is a part of the culture, not only at A&T, but at many HBCUs.

She said her daughter left the team after being hospitalized due to hazing while training. She said that on more than one occasion under-aged students were supplied with alcohol by veteran members of the team who pushed them to twerk on male students.

“Whether you (coaches) knew exactly what was going on in this climate, it’s still your job, your accountability.”

Cheerleading falls under the athletics department, but with little oversight from the top, according to several parents. They say cheerleading doesn’t bring in revenue like basketball or football, and limits on practice time are often left at the discretion of the coaches.

This parent fears that even if the current cheer staff is replaced, the new coach will not usher in a new culture. She questions that if a new coach is chosen from the same pool as the current coaches, what is the likelihood that things will change?

“Even if they go, does the culture go?” she asked via phone. “The same culture is going to repeat itself again. They don’t see anything wrong with it.”

Changing the current coaches might not solve all the problems, but for Raina Gee, keeping them around is not an option.

“Down the line that is my ultimate goal and tonight is not about me, it’s partly about me but it’s really about the other victims that have been suffering so honestly, that, time will tell but I do stand firm on the coaching staff at A&T. The cheer program coaches need to be fired,” Gee told WXII.

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Charlotte, NC (January 14, 2019) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and its Cheerleading Coaches Association announce the 2018-19 All-CIAA Cheerleading Team.

Twenty-Four standout student-athletes have been selected for their leadership and athletic abilities contributing to the success of their respective institutions. These outstanding athletes will be recognized at Super Saturday of the CIAA Basketball Tournament on March 2, 2019 as part of the cheerleading exhibition.

For the most up-to-date information on the 2019 CIAA Basketball Tournament and its sponsored events, please visit http://www.ciaatournament.org/.

Bowie State

Alexis Pumphrey, senior- Columbia, MD
Da’Sai Walker, senior- Landover, MD

Chowan

Lindsey Dalton, sophomore- Mathews, VA
Akayasia Keel, senior- Richmond, VA

Claflin

Kendra Covington, senior- Monroe, NC
Martisha Wright, senior- Jekinsville, SC

Elizabeth City State

Mkayla Hoffler, senior- Elizabeth City, NJ
Bianca Chambers, senior- Charlotte, NC

Fayetteville State

Amari Black, junior- Fayetteville, NC
Jasmine Blount, junior- Goldsboro, NC

Johnson C. Smith

Janiya Miller, junior- LaGrange, NC
Dionna Young, junior- Newark, DE

Lincoln

Anija Nelson, senior- Prince George’s county, MD
Moses Hernandez, senior- Silver Spring, MD

Livingstone

Raye’Gan Gallman, sophomore- Morrisville, NC

Saint Augustine’s

Breana Gambrell, junior- Charlotte, NC
Tyra Olney, sophomore- Richmond, VA

Shaw

Breanna Edgerton, junior- Durham, NC
Rayshawn Rogers, sophomore- Raleigh, NC

Virginia State

Imani Tynes-Mclain, junior- Norfolk, VA

Virginia Union

LaRiece Miller, junior- Danville, VA
Nandea Stennis, senior- Pascagoula, MS

Winston-Salem State

Raissa Bryant, junior- Fayeteville, NC
Tyana Geronimo, sophomore- Fayetteville, NC

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LORMAN, Miss. — Former Alcorn State University cheerleader Airnecia Mills will once again be on the sidelines with the cheer squad, but this time as head coach, announced by director of athletics Derek Horne.

Mills was a cheerleader at Alcorn from 2010-13. She graduated Cum Laude in three years from Alcorn with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and minors in Reading and Special Education. In 2015, Mills earned her Master’s degree from Alcorn in Elementary Education and minors in Reading and Special Education.

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“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to be able to come back to my school and work with the girls. It feels good to have cheered at Alcorn and then come back to be the head coach,” Mills said. “I want to take the team to competitions to compete. I look forward to continue building the program.”

Mills Returns to Alma Mater as Head Cheerleading Coach https://t.co/oDVjpLrbmm

— Alcorn Braves Athletics (@BRAVESSPORTS) June 21, 2018

While a student, Mills was named Miss Alcorn State University 2012-13 by the student body. She served on the Student Government Association (SGA) as Miss Alcorn. Mills was also a student ambassador in addition to cheerleading.

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“It’s always great to be able to hire one of our own on staff, especially in a head coaching position. Coach Mills has a strong background as both a cheerleader and educator, and she’ll be a tremendous role model for the team,” Horne said. “Her enthusiasm and passion for Alcorn and cheerleading make her a great fit to lead our program.”

Mills returns to Alcorn after serving as Cheerleading Coach at Simmons High School in Hollandale, Mississippi the last two years. She’s taken the team to cheer with the Cheerleaders of America at Tulane University and with the Memphis Grizzlies.

@AriB__ Showing some of that famous first time love to the gorgeous and beautiful gals at Alcorn State! Y'all are awesome! Also, we need more purple cheer uniforms??? pic.twitter.com/VnKLdrZsgR

— All things cheer (@CollegeCheer3) December 15, 2017

Under Mills, the cheerleaders attended Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) cheer camp in Destin, Florida and at Southern Miss. They also went to the National Cheer Championship in Orlando, Florida and competed for the first time in history with MHSAA. Mills attended several coach conferences, including UCA and the 2018 MHSSA Cheer-Dance Conference.

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Mills also has a background in teaching. She’s worked in Special Education and English in Hollandale the last two years and also as Lead Tutor and Owner of Mills Academy in Greenville, Mississippi since 2015. Mills started her teaching career as a 1st Grade Teacher in Greenville Public School District.

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BOWIE, MD- Bowie State’s cheerleaders have a lot more on their minds than just the new semester and rooting on their basketball team.

Janae Hubbard, a former member of Bowie State’s Golden Girls cheer squad, has been missing since last week according to team’s Instagram account. A cousin says she was last seen on Jan. 22 near Waldorf, MD at the Brandywine Crossing Area. She drives a White Toyota Corolla with a license plate 20927.
https://twitter.com/1500CEO/status/957645709339168770
HBCU Gameday is working to determine if a missing persons police report has been filed. Former teammate Jordan Haythorn says she doesn’t believe one has been filed, but obviously, her former teammates are worried just the same.

“Everything is really up in the air,” she told HBCU Gameday.

Hubbard, 23, last cheered for Bowie State in 2013-14.

Nick Tucker and Dellan Sellers contributed to this report. 

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“There is a place for healthy rivalry among competitors. However, we do not believe that rivalry is best demonstrated through “cheer battles.”  We will not participate in anything that promotes divisiveness between schools,” Hickman said in the release.

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The Morehouse battle

Is this in response, to some degree, of the viral video from the Morehouse vs CAU football game? One could safely consider that as a logical connection. The CAU cheerleaders “laid down” on the track to symbolize their “boredom” with the Morehouse cheer routine, and it quickly spread online.

Clark Atlanta cheerleaders battling with Morehouse and went to sleep on them. ???? pic.twitter.com/7JsR0nwF2r

— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) November 10, 2017

Many people thought it to be funny, but apparently, not everyone at CAU was laughing.  But some at CAU were, seeing that the school’s official Twitter account retweeted a link from BET.com making light of the “battle” on November 9th.

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This Video Of @CAUCheerleaders Literally Sleeping On #Morehouse During A Battle Left People In Tears Laughing #HBCU #WeAreCAU https://t.co/RCooSnfPJk

— Clark Atlanta Univ. (@CAU) November 10, 2017

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No movie mentality

Maybe the humor missed the mark back on campus last week with some, but one thing is for certain, it won’t happen again anytime soon.

Hickman went on to say, “This movie mentality can quickly escalate into something that goes far beyond the purpose of supporting our schools and our athletes.  Therefore, we will always stand on the side of positivity.  We want nothing more but to ensure the legacy of black girl magic, no matter what school you represent.”

Full release

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Check out this performance from Lincoln (PA)’s FeFes. What grade would you give these young ladies?

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