Beyond the Sidelines: Why the Cheer Team is the Heartbeat of Lancer Varsity Sports.
By: Teri Reid
Edited By: Agatha Godlewski
The Lancer cheer team is essential to Lancer athletics, infusing every game with unmatched energy and excitement that elevates the entire fan experience and unites the crowd to rally behind the Lancers from start to finish.
The cheer team works hard and is very dedicated to creating a positive game-day atmosphere, which is very apparent to spectators. Stephanie White, the Athletic Director at the University of Windsor, recognizes the significant impact the cheer team has on the overall experience, praising their uplifting presence during games.
“They (the cheer team) heighten the experience for fans,” White stated. “It brings lots of pride; the teams love the energy that they bring to the game.”
The Sports Information and Home Events Coordinator, Elisa Mitton emphasized the value that is added to home games by the cheer team.
“The cheer team makes you feel like you are at a big-time event,” Mitton stated. “All professional football and basketball teams have cheer squads, and the Lancer cheer team helps to elevate our in-game experience.”
Creating an unforgettable fan experience requires more than just enthusiasm; it demands relentless effort and dedication. The cheer team’s dynamic routines during games are a testament to their rigorous training and unwavering commitment to their craft.
The team’s impact at games is highly valued, to ensure this is capitalized on the athletic department needs to continue to work with and support the team in order to facilitate more growth to the cheer team in the future. Having a larger team with increasing skillsets and abilities will only increase the impact at games and potentially allow more sports to be attended by the cheer team.
Vice President of Operations for the cheer team, Britney Dupuis, shared insight into their demanding schedule. The team practices twice a week. One three-hour practice on campus and another two-hour practice at NorthStar Cheer, a local cheer gym. Beyond these team practices, the athletes are expected to work out independently on the other days of the week.
Just as any other Lancer athlete, the members of the cheer team are students. The flexibility of independent workouts allows these student athletes to ensure they are in peak condition for the season, while prioritizing their schoolwork to ensure academic success in harmony with mastering cheering on the fields of play.
Their skills have an undeniable impact on game day, their energy enhances the atmosphere for both players and fans alike, making them a vital part of Lancer athletics.
Dupuis also acknowledged that not all sports are conducive to cheer routines, with some lacking the space or opportunity for cheers occasionally preventing the cheer team from being present on the sidelines. To compensate for this, they passionately lead “fan games” throughout the season, where they engage with fans in the stands, rallying everyone with their pom-poms and Lancer pride. They also attend every home playoff game to ensure their enthusiasm is felt by their fellow student athletes.
Ideally, the future of the cheer team is even bigger and brighter than their presence is already.
When asked about the future of the team, White said she is hopeful they continue to grow and remain involved in enhancing the experience of spectators at Lancer games.
“They are in a youthful state… they only came over to be part of the Lancer program (from UWSA) a couple years ago. I think they’re continuing to evolve. The quality, their stunts now that they are able to perform, the length of their programs, all of this continues to evolve.”
If the cheer team continues to grow in numbers, while improving their skills as they have been, their impact will only become vaster. The athletic department and cheer team should continue to work together to ensure these student athletes can continue to cheer on their fellow student athletes.
If the athletic department continues to support the cheer team in their growth, the future of Lancer home games will be even louder and more prideful than it is now.