Friday Night Lights and Beyond

Friday Night Lights and Beyond

By: Nina Herth, @UCA_Nina

YOU: The sun starts to set and your fans begin to fill the stands as your squad steps on to the track.  You feel a rush of adrenaline as you hear the band start to march on the field proudly playing your fight song.  The football team is lined up and ready to break through the banner on center field. After the playing of the National Anthem, it’s kickoff time!  This feeling is one like no other that goes well beyond Friday nights.  Some of your best friends and memories will created on that field that will last a lifetime.  Not only will you be having fun out there, you also will learn lessons of self confidence, positivity, and the value of being involved and a part of something bigger than yourself.

YOUR SCHOOL: Did you know that there is a positive relationship to school spirit and academic achievement? That means students with high levels of school spirit are more likely to perform well in school, graduate, (and have a lot more fun at school) too! As a cheerleader, you have the special role of being a Spirit Raiser for your school which can be done through spreading the word about upcoming games, making pep rallies exciting, creating themes for your student section for games, and much more!  By teaming up your efforts with the student section at games, you can create the ultimate cheering section!

YOUR COMMUNITY:  Whether you live in a big city or small town – family, alumni, and other community members come out for the big Friday Night games.  Sporting events give the whole community a reason to come together and share in the excitement, laughs, good company, and maybe even some friendly rivalry. Remember, the pride for your school does not have to end after you graduate. You can always return to your roots and celebrate being an alumni of your school for years to come!  Preserving traditions is a great way to keep the community supportive and involved with your spirit program and at games.

One of the most important roles you have at your school is to be a crowd leader both on and off the field. Consider taking your sideline spirit to the competition mat this season and compete in a UCA Game Day Division at a Regional event near you! In this division, you get the chance to show off how your squad leads the crowd with a Band Dance, Situational Sideline, Time Out Cheer, and Fight Song. It’s just like what you performed at #UCAcamp! You could even qualify for the National High School Cheerleading Championship in this division and have a chance to take home a White Jacket!

There is nothing quite like the feeling of cheering on your team in the crisp autumn air with your fellow students, families, and alumni.  It is even more special when you realize that there are so many positive things that come out of it too, along with a whole lot of fun! Enjoy each and every moment this season under those Friday Night Lights!