According to Education majors Olivia Collins, 20, and Saxzonee Grisham, 18, they didn’t do much planning in coming up with the idea to start a cheerleading squad for Sinclair Community College.
“Our very first day, we (went to the Student Leadership Association) and asked (SLA advisor Karen Williams),” Collins said. “She told us that they used to have Tartan Cheerleaders and that it faded out because no one was interested, and she offered us (a chance) to renew the club if we could find an advisor and 10 people who were interested.”
At the suggestion of Williams, Collins and Grisham sought out Pride basketball coach Jeff Price to be their advisor, which he agreed to. Almost 30 people contacted them to be a part of the re-formed squad, according to Collins.
Both Collins and Grisham said they cheered for Tecumseh High School. They hope to improve Sinclair students’ enthusiasm towards Sinclair’s sports teams.
“What we’re hoping for is to bring up the morale at Sinclair,” Collins said. “Make people more involved. Make them want to go to the games.”
One of the ways they plan to get Sinclair students more involved is by “talking it up” and getting the word out.
“(Grisham) said that it’s cool to be cheerleaders because it gives you a reason to go up to people and be like ‘Hey, we really want you to come to our game,’ and you meet a lot of people that way,” Collins said. “So, when you get them interested in what you’re doing they want to come and watch.”
Grisham said the important thing is to get the students to connect with the players.
“It’s more of them falling in love with the basketball players, themselves (instead of just going to watch a game),” she said.