Witten by Onji Brown, ’25, Digital Media and Communications
Villa Maria College welcomes Cheer back to campus for a second time after a five-year break. With the help of Villa Maria’s Admissions and Athletic Departments, support was provided for a bigger and better start to another season.
Cheer Coach and Admissions Counselor Samatha Owens has high hopes for the season and future years to come. Overhearing her excitement in an interview, Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Desmond Randall had some excitement to add himself. Owens and Randall partnered up to find ways to develop more resources to support the team, and they were successful.
Coach Owens stated,
” I don’t [just] have hope for more support; I know we will have more to help grow the team…”
Matching this level of confidence was Rileigh Martin, a second-year student and team captain. Martin is one of the star faces of Villa Maria Cheer, featured on the team’s social media page, and a profound figure for game days, stating,
“The goal is to show up and show out.”
With school spirit, increased support, and hope for success on the rise, the Athletic Department has tapped into Coach Randall’s perspective on Villa Cheer coming back.
“Having a Cheer team helps with the legitimacy of our Athletics Department, Randell said. Having a squad there during the games improves the atmosphere and generates a spirit for the players.”
This year, the team has received new gear such as bookbags, shoes, warm-up attire, and other accessories like pom poms and cheer bows. Randall expressed that this not only improves the atmosphere but also improves the cheerleaders’ confidence overall, helping to gain attraction for more people to join the team.
“My hope is to get more fans and hopefully their friends and families to come to the games.”
Randall expressed that the Cheerleading team has a chance to thrive from the love, support, and resources provided in order to build and grow a safe space within the campus. Villa Cheer is a zone where you come to learn, share, and develop connections that you can pass on to future generations. The plan is to continue adding resources to grow the team so it can continue to expand.
According to Owens, another goal is to liven up Villa’s Cheer social media pages. Having content posted gives viewers a chance to see the team’s progress and all the activities involved. For example, team bonding exercises, updates on games, scoring, and more. The social media presence allows students to feel included even if they can’t make the events or have time to join the team. You can follow Villa Cheer’s Instagram @VillaMariaCollegeVikingsCheer.
Owens also encouraged; Villa has always been determined to make its campus all-inclusive. This involves concerts, fairs, art shows, and even events that the College has come up with, such as Villacon, and the exciting chance to get an insight into the Athletic Department itself. With two gyms, a workout room, lots of equipment, and an Insititute for Mobility Innovation & Technology (IMIT) room, Villa allows the opportunity for current and incoming students to get involved in training camps, workout sessions, and pre- and post-season activities.
This entices not only parents and guardians but more students to possibly attend Villa to join all the clubs, sports, and majors that are being offered. Also expressed on Villa’s home page, the College has 30+ student-run clubs and organizations and four intercollegiate athletic teams, making it easy to get involved on campus.
“Cheer helps to develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork, and Villa Cheer is a positive way to do that.”
Students interested in learning more about joining the Cheer team can visit https://www.villa.edu/.
