The cheerleading team, pictured above, encompasses teamwork and talent. Each member, whether on the competition team or club team, shows dedication and commitment to ensuring that this team excels (courtesy of the cheerleading team).
Known for their energy, spirit and positivity, the Geneseo cheerleading team can be found cheering at the Geneseo basketball games, as well in multiple performances around campus.
“We do not have a coach and are entirely student-run by our [e-board] that is voted in every spring semester. We are funded by [the Student Association],” head captain, president and biology major senior Alyssa Collazo said. “So, a portion of our budget is given to us by the school, but we work together to fundraise for the rest of the money we need.”
If students want to try out for the team but are scared because of their level, they should not be. Anyone who wants to join Geneseo cheerleading can, as this sport is open to all students.
“We have informal team placements in early September. At these placements potential new members can decide if they would like to join our competition team or just remain on the club team,” Collazo said. “This year we have two full teams that cheer at basketball games and one team that will attend competitions [in the] spring semester.”
Joining cheer is a great way to build confidence, as well as a way to meet new people and to gain new skills.
“The greatest aspect of cheer is building self-confidence in each member. Every season we get a mix of new people; people who have cheered before, dancers, gymnasts and, my personal favorite, people who want to try something new,” Collazo said. “In cheerleading you have a team full of people who encourage you to be your best. Time spent like that teaches you that it’s okay to make mistakes and to be proud when you meet your goals.”
There are many ideas and hopes that Collazo has for the future of Geneseo cheerleading, as these are ways to improve the team collectively.
“I hope to one day have an on-campus location to practice instead of having to travel to the Geneseo Central High School and various Allstar cheer gyms. I hope for the team to be more involved with events on campus and even the surrounding community,” Collazo said. “I hope to have a larger budget that will allow for us to attend larger NCA competitions [and to] contract a permanent coach that can guide the progress of our club. My biggest dream is to [hold] our own competition one day.”
The team has worked tirelessly this year in hopes of achieving the goals that they have set. Fortunately, some of their hopes have come true.
“Cheerleading is an ever-growing activity and the possibilities for this team are endless. This year we have worked so hard and have already achieved so many goals,” Collazo said. “We will be getting new uniforms for the first time in eight years, we have new apparel to wear and we have our shiny new pom-poms.”
Geneseo cheer is a great way to branch out of one’s comfort zone and to meet new people as well as to learn a new skill. Students who are interested should keep a lookout for tryouts next September.