The CU Buff Cheer team help encourage fans while playing against the BYU Cougars at the CU Events Center on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (Izabelle Stewart-Adams/CU Independent).
The University of Colorado’s Spirit Program is gearing up for a promising year, embracing the excitement of football while strengthening team bonds and preparing for the upcoming competition season.
Jackie Ocken on the coed cheer squad, Jenna Moss, on the all-girl cheer squad and Rylee Quinn on the dance team, are all in their senior year. All three were on the team before Deion Sanders arrived. Now in their final year they are reflecting on their times with the program and the effects coach Sanders has had on the school.
All three squads are driven by a spirit of encouragement, motivating one another to push harder on game days and during competition season. Ocken expressed her excitement about making a bowl game and the addition of a Spirit Program Gameday routine to this year’s competition season. This routine, performed at nationals alongside the cheer and dance teams, will mark the first time the Spirit Program has combined all teams at nationals.
“CU has had the best record since I’ve been here, so being able to be part of that is really exciting,” said Moss.
Game day Memories
While game days are thrilling, they also present challenges.
“In past years, when we’ve been losing, we have to keep smiling and maintain our energy even when we’re tired and down,” Quinn said. “There are so many people relying on our energy when we’re losing, and the biggest challenge is to embody that.”
The dance and cheer team are as much students as they are athletes so they have the same level of hope and disappointment as the fans watching the game. Because of this, they have to encourage each other to hype up the student section.
On a positive note, the atmosphere has changed since Coach Prime arrived, drawing in more fans and creating an entirely different energy.
Ocken will always remember the excitement of being in the spotlight.
“It’s more about adrenaline and excitement than anything else,” Ocken said. “Encouraging and uplifting each other fosters a fun game day environment.”
The University of Colorado dance and cheer teams line up during CU’s fight song after the men’s basketball game against Stanford University at the CU Events Center on Sunday, March 3, 2024. (Clementine Miller/CU Independent)
Competition Season Ahead
As the teams look toward their upcoming competition season, they are eager to learn from past experiences. The cheer team began preparing for nationals nearly a month earlier than in previous seasons, which will give them a significant advantage when it comes time to compete.
“It hurts physically and mentally,” Ocken admitted, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining rigorous practices throughout the semester, including winter break when they receive only about four days off. However, their dedication is expected to pay off at nationals this year.
After the dance team placed 13th in their pom routine last year, they are approaching this season with a mentality of not letting past performances affect their future. Quinn stated the team is focusing on their previous mistakes, reflecting on scores to improve their skills and technique, and, most importantly, fostering teamwork to build trust.
As the season progresses, CU Boulder’s Spirit Program extends beyond merely cheering for the football team; it embodies the community spirit that uplifts fans and players alike. Whether competing on the mat or performing at Folsom Field, the Spirit Program still strives to create an atmosphere of unity and pride within the university.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Catherine Angelo at catherine.angelo@colorado.edu.
