The cheerleading squad is working to change the program’s image. Their new philosophy for the program includes coaching changes, a new squad, member duties and principally a new spirit.
“In the past our time was spent only cheering at games,” the captain of the cheerleader squad, Stephanie Glenn said. “This year it is a whole new ball game. This summer we were responsible for raising money to pay for our expenses. We have two-hour practices twice a week, and we arrive early and stay late for games. If we have a pep rally we have an extra practice. Our program now is completely different from the past, but in a good way. It can be a demanding schedule at times, but it is all worth it when we get to cheer at games.”
People who believe the routine of a cheerleader is easy should think again. The tryout for this season was held in April and the newly elected squad had its first practice in May. The squad members met two weeks prior to the beginning of classes at a camp in Hot Springs.
“At the camp the cheerleaders worked and learned new material to be used in the upcoming season, while the mascots came up with skits and ideas for each game and pep rally,” coach Brian Bridges said. “The cheerleaders also participated in many conditioning exercises, including a timed two-mile run.”
The cheerleaders practice two or three times per week, cheer at all football and basketball games, participate at all pep rallies and make appearances at other athletic events around campus. The squad members are also actively involved with the community.
“We participated in the Relay for Life in May and we also are planning on participating in Tiger Serve Day, as well as the toy drive,” Bridges said.
The main goal for the squad is promote school spirit.
“Many times it seems that cheerleaders have lost touch with their sole purpose: raising the level of school spirit,” Bridges said. “Most squads have now focused on the more competitive aspects of cheerleading. I want my program to have both.”
For Bridges, it is essential for each of the squad members to be a role model for others that may be watching.
“Positive attitude and great work are a must,” Bridges said.
Bridges has worked with cheerleading squads for 10 years as a coach, cheerleader, director and owner. He was also a member of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks squads for four years traveling throughout the country. He said Ouachita cheerleaders put in just as much time as the UA squad.
Bridges said that he never suffered any kind of censorship from Ouachita during the process of creating the squad choreographies. Also he said there is not a difference in training and preparing cheerleaders in a Christian school and a Division I school.
“We make sure we always represent ourselves well in whatever we do,” Bridges said. “Regardless of Christian school or not, I feel that routines done by spirit members should always be appropriate and of good taste.”
Bridges and Glenn say the changes and hard work of the squad are starting to collect good results.
“At the last football game, numerous alumni and fans approached me saying how great the cheerleaders look,” Bridges said. “We have already had really positive feedback because people can notice a difference,” Glenn said. “We have worked so hard and we continue to keep working to reach our full potential as a squad.”
