| Syracuse Cheerleading: A National Reputation for One of the East's Elite | |
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During the day David Hakes is busy teaching fifth graders. Away from his full time teaching position, Hakes is still busy instructing, guiding and imparting knowledge. The Syracuse cheerleaders are the students in this 'classroom'. His job as Cheerleading coach at Syracuse University is listed as part time. In reality it's more a full time endeavor.
Hakes oversees the university's varsity, junior varsity, dance team and mascots. Even the latter portion of the program requires attention to detail as he notes," we have four different kids playing two different mascots."
At Syracuse the formal workouts call for five weekly sessions at two hours per. A demanding yet standard regimen found at many schools. The unique aspect at Syracuse though, is the approach to building a squad. As a frequent instructor on the summer camp circuit, Hakes is constantly in search of new talent. "There is good talent in the northeast," he said, "but we try to attract on a national level."
The success of the athletic teams as men's basketball, football and Lacrosse, to name a few, as well as membership in the prestigious Big East Conference has afforded the school a national stage. "Our co-ed cheer squad was fourth (behind Ohio State, Penn State and Cincinnati) in the Northeast last year," Hakes pointed out. That helps spread the word as does any tapes from national competition and information extolling these achievements on the school's Website.
The school's academic reputation is a key aspect as well. Syracuse is well known for its communications department, a selling point that convinced sophomore Andrea Donohue, a native of Houston, Texas to continue her education and cheering in the East.
Hakes also works closely with the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing. "We discuss and deal with different ideas, sales pitches, promotions, anything to make the game more exciting for the crowd." He is also one who firmly believes that a pumped up crowd can effect the players on the floor. We spoke following Syracuse's semifinal win over Michigan State at Madison Square Garden in late November's Pre-Season NIT. In the second half Syracuse made a late run to decide the game. "Fans go to the game to be entertained," he said, "but if the cheerleaders can get a crowd going maybe the players can feed off that momentum. That section behind our (Cheerleading) group gradually got going during the run and the (crowd) momentum just built up from there."
Getting the partisan crowd into the game is certainly a part of cheering. For Mike Kim, a graduate student on the squad, the motives were a bit different. Kim makes no bones about saying that he first became interested in Cheerleading when he arrived at Syracuse because of the ladies. Working with the girls in a co-ed group was an attraction. Kim also admits that 'novelty' wore off soon and he was hooked on learning routines, stunts and the challenge cheering presents.
"The girls might be an initial attraction," Kim admits, "but if you are not serious about Cheerleading and dedicated you won't last. " Kim also noted that balancing academics, practice schedules and games was a great way of learning time management skills. Especially for the Syracuse squad which was in the midst of cheering at three basketball and one football game over a five day span.
Andrea Donohue cheered since age nine in youth leagues in her native Texas. "I never cheered in a co-ed group until I came to Syracuse," she admitted. "The biggest difference is in high school you may have four girls spotting but here you have one guy to literally trust with your life."
Donohue, who lists the Texas Longhorns her second football favorite behind her beloved Orangemen, loves every minute of cheering. "It's a big commitment but we are like a second family," she said. "There's nothing like going through practice after a tough day. It actually rejuvenates you and makes you feel better."
Read more - Two Syracuse Dance Team Member's Profiles.
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.
