By Mia Gallagher · Sport Editor
When it comes to the concept of “male cheerleading” at the college, maybe the silly, slapstick dance routine performed during halftime of the annual Powderpuff game comes to mind. Or perhaps you think of the shirtless college superfans that lead the student section during football games.
But for a couple of students, including senior Collin Alexander and sophomore Truman Poole, their desire to pursue new experiences and forge new relationships led them to redefine what being a male cheerleader at the college means.
“A couple of close friends said they were interested in varsity cheerleading, so we reached out to the coach to voice our interest and follow through,” Alexander said.
“I was interested in joining a varsity sport that allowed for me to continue with my other activities and commitments and was flexible as well,” Poole added.
Their decision to join the varsity squad renews a storied tradition of male involvement in the college cheer program. According to Hilary Walzcak ‘09, director of college archives and galleries, the program’s earliest records indicate that it originally began as an all-male squad whose male involvement has ebbed and flowed throughout the college’s history.
“Historically speaking, (in) the 19th and 20th centuries, it was more common for men to be the cheerleaders and not women. Cheerleading originated as an elite all-male activity at Ivy League schools. Women started to cheer more during and after WWII. Mostly because there were (not) guys to do it during the war. And then it became a more female-dominated sport,” Walczak said.
Their choice has also revolutionized the way the team approaches the acrobatic stunts they are known for. According to senior captain Kaitlyn Erickson, the guys’ roles in back spotting and basing have been key to these stunting improvements and have freed up practice time for the girls on the squad to perfect their sideline chants and dances.
“Having male cheerleaders on the team makes a huge impact on our abilities within stunting and allows for higher and more complex skills. This year’s experience has been positively impacted by their presence, as they add an entirely different dynamic to the group, where we can establish newfound trust, great community and a unique collaboration effort,” Erickson said.
According to Alexander and Poole, their reception by the team and wider college community has been generally positive, allowing them to set a precedent for the team going forward. Alexander, however, acknowledged an initial hesitancy to pursue the program, primarily due to the stereotypes associated with male cheerleading.
“The worst thing you can do is avoid something because of fear of what others will think,” Alexander explained when asked what advice he has for other men interested in cheer.
“It’s fine to try something and not like it; it’s also okay to try something and like it. That’s how I approached this experience; if I didn’t like it after pre-season, I wasn’t going to do it. But I wasn’t going to not try because of what I thought or feared others would think of me.”
Learning new skills, receiving varsity gym access and gaining front-row seats to football and basketball games were among Alexander and Poole’s reasons for originally joining the squad. But when asked what makes this experience truly worthwhile, they both claimed it’s the teammates they have gained along the way.
“Jokingly, my brothers have said that being on the team must be great — you have to hang out with girls. But oddly enough, the best part is being on the team. In high school, I knew some of the cheerleaders, and they were not the nicest people, yet this team is so deeply in love with God that their love for Him outflows into this wonderful community that is uplifting and full of joy,” Alexander said.
Looking ahead to the remaining football schedule and the upcoming basketball season, Erickson believes the guys’ continued presence will further elevate the program to new heights.
“We not only expect to showcase our classic pyramid stunts but continue to make those stunts more dynamic. Our limits are being pushed every practice, with boundaries being exceeded with each new stunt we attempt, both as a group and individually,” Erickson said.
To catch this year’s cheer squad in action, be sure to attend the football game on Saturday as the Wolverines face off against PAC rival Westminster. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. on Robert E. Thorn Field.
