| College Cheerleaders - Passionate About Their Sport | |
On the varied trail of games to cover over the past few weeks, a number of Cheerleading and/or dance squads were busy and making their presence known during these contests.
Here are a few individual profiles from the squads whose teams were involved in these games. Ironically, Kimberly of Rutgers and Nicole of Seton Hall cheered together in high school on the East Brunswick (HS) squad. But in that sense cheering is a 'small world'. Granted, there are thousands of young men and women cheering in schools and colleges today but as you can see from some of these profiles, they all share that passion and devoted love for their avocation.
Name: Kimberly Kasics
School: Rutgers University
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Major: Psychology
Year: Senior
Experience: 9 years of cheering
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "To be part of a team and work with
others. Also to compete as a team at the nationals."
Toughest Part of Cheerleading: "The work on keeping up on your individual
skills and the time requirement. Between practices , games and competitions
it can add up."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Keep working on your skills and
if you get a chance, come to college practices. Get an idea of what they work
on in college."
Name: Jen Hine
School: Rutgers University
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Major: Chemistry
Year: Senior
Experience: 8 years of cheering
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "It teaches you discipline and competing
in the Nationals is special."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: "You are constantly competing to keep
your spot. There is no seniority here. You have to keep working to keep your
job."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Start as a member on a co-ed squad
and start early on gymnastics. Understand the time commitment and be ready to
practice and cheer even if you are sick or hurt." n.
Name: Theo Thomas
School: Seton Hall University
Hometown: West Hartford, Ct.
Major: Communications/Business
Year: Junior
Experience: 6 years
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "Being a part of the game. Getting
the crowd into it (the game). I like being part of something special to the
school."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: "As captain it's hard to get everyone
together. We can do great things if everyone is together."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Practice, keep working on skills."
Name: Farah Onidbakhsh
School: Seton Hall University
Hometown: Shrewsbury, Mass.
Major: Psychology
Year: Senior
Experience: 11 years
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "Getting the crowd into it and feeling
the fans and everyone is behind you."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: "If the fans don't support the team and
cheering as they (fans) actually boo their own players."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Work on gymnastics and don't forget
working on the basics."
Name: Gina Ferioli
School: Manhattan College
Hometown: West Springfield, Mass.
Major: Marketing/Advertising
Year: Junior
Experience: 15 years cheering
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "Getting the crowd motivated to
help the team and staying physically fit."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: " Stunting. No one knows how hard it is.
Falls are embarrassing and can be dangerous, leading to injuries."
Advice to high school
cheerleaders: "Practice, practice, practice. So many people will try to
discourage you but college Cheerleading is the best reward (for the work). It's
everything we (cheerleaders) live for. "
Name: Nicole Consentino
School: Seton Hall University
Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Major: Nursing
Year: Sophomore
Experience: 10 years cheering
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "Getting a response from the crowd.
Getting the crowd active."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: "Stunting."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Gymnastics can play a big part.
Smile, have a good attitude even if the team is struggling. Always maintain
enthusiasm."
Name: Dana Truncellito
School: Rutgers University
Hometown: East Windsor, NJ
Major: Sociology
Year: Junior
Experience: 9 years cheering
Most rewarding part of Cheerleading: "Doing well in competition and being
in front of a crowd and performing is satisfying."
Toughest part of Cheerleading: "Competition an games. Tumbling and generally
your energy level. Keeping the energy up the whole game."
Advice to high school cheerleaders: "Work hard on your tumbling and motions.
Keep up with your enthusiasm and crowd appeal."
Name: Alyssa Buttiglieri
School: Rutgers University
(dance team)
Hometown: Edison, NJ
Major: Journalism/Mass Media
Year: Junior
Experience: 17 years (dance)
Most rewarding part of dance: "When you all finally achieve and dance
exactly in unison."
Toughest part of dance: "Learning to dance exactly as others (members)
and trying to be one (team)."
Advice to high school dancers: "Practice and work hard. If you really
want to make a team you can do it."
About Ray Floriani: Ray Floriani has been writing college basketball for over twenty years. He is a columnist with Eastern Basketball magazine, Basketball Times and College Hoops Insider. In 1998 he was cited by the Gazelle Group for his work in covering the Coaches vs. Cancer events and was chosen 1999 NIT Media Man of the Year. Contact Ray Floriani.