Profile of St.Joseph’s University Cheerleaders

For years St.Joseph’s University has had a proud tradition in basketball. The Jesuit school based just outside the city of Philadelphia, is small but consistently competitive with some of the elite programs in the country. There’s a special passion at St.Joe’s. Players and coaches have historically given that extra effort. The student body is devout in their loyal following. Even their mascot the Hawk flaps his (or her) wings the entire game. “The Hawk will never die’ is a rallying cry of the faithful an a saying that accurately describes the essence of St.Joe’s basketball.
Another group that proudly wears the crimson and silver is the St.Joe’s cheerleaders. The coed squad is competitive as they travel and point to the nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida. “Three times a week we practice together as a squad,” said assistant coach Jennifer Loughery. “On the other days they will go to the gym on their own and work on conditioning, weight lifting and cardio exercises.” Loughery points out that ‘on their own’ means mandatory but within a personal schedule.
Loughery is a 2000 graduate who cheered and was a co-captain at the school during her days on ‘Hawk Hill’. Has there been a major difference making the adjustment from being on the sideline to supervising the sideline ? “Not much,” she said. AS we talked it was halftime of the Gonzaga-St.Joe’s game in Madison Square Garden back in November. In the background her squad used the respite to stretch out, sip some bottled water or just touch up their makeup. “As a co-captain you need leadership skills as well,” she added. “ But with this group it’s been easy (making the transition). The girls are just great.”
Loughery notes that competitively this squad has “taken it to the next level.” In the St.Joe’s close-knit family tradition, the cheerleaders are very conscious of their duty to assist those desiring to learn. “We give clinics,” Loughery noted. Those sessions are aimed at improving and teaching squads from local grammar schools, high schools and recreation leagues. “We have a two day competition, the ‘Hawk Classic’, “she added, ”which has high school and grammar school teams from the area competing.”
As evident by the St.Joe’s cheerleading program, the spirit and enthusiasm on Hawk Hill extends beyond the basketball season.
By Ray Floriani