Cheerleading Prepares for Nationals; Hosts Friends and Family Event Monday Night

MANCHESTER, N.H.--On Wednesday, April 11, the Southern New Hampshire University cheerleading team will arrive in Daytona, Florida where they will compete for the coveted title of NCA Collegiate Champion at the largest college cheerleading championship in the world.

The NCA Championship attracts over 5,000 student athletes and thousands of spectators for an exciting competition of technical skills, showmanship, game day abilities and teamwork. The SNHU team must advance through the preliminary round on day one to participate in the finals which are held on April 13 at the famous Band Shell located right on the beach. The Championships will be televised on CBS Sports Network and Varsity TV.

The 20 members of the SNHU team and their coaches could not be more excited to finally see the realization of their improbable dream. The team had only six returning student-athletes, a new coaching staff and a late start compared to other college teams, so the concept of building a competitive routine, qualifying for Nationals and raising $30,000 to attend was daunting. The team’s motto “SNHU Cheer, Don’t Count Us Out” reflects the determination and dedication of this group who put in countless hours of practice and preparation for this chance to realize a lifelong dream.

The team has just come off two successful contests where they had the high score at the JamLive Cheer Competition and earned a second place finish at the CCS Invitational in a very competitive field of other D1 and D3 teams.

Head Coach Michelle McCarty adds, “I feel privileged to have coached this incredible team of student-athletes and worked with this skilled coaching staff. Attending college nationals is an exciting opportunity for the world to see this 'little engine that could' called SNHU Cheer make a name for itself.”

The team will demonstrate their routine on Monday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fieldhouse at SNHU during a “Family-Friends Night.”