Hofstra University Cheerleading

At Hofstra University its more than palm palms and fancy chants for the cheerleading team. Hofstra cheerleaders have been nothing but a success, winning seven national championships in the last ten years. Head coach Christine Farina and assistant coach Matt Jones spend several months of hard work developing one routine that will bring them yet again another national title. Winning the national championship the last four years in a row isn't a walk in the park for the Hofstra cheerleaders. Cheerleaders practice up to four times a week during the regular season, and seven days a week during competition season. Head coach Christine uses the motto "believe" to keep her team going during rough times. After year of practice, Hofstra only has one shot on the mat to prove themselves to the judges. One mistake could ruin their chances of winning.

Many people aren't aware of the difficulty that arises from cheerleading. It's not like middle school where the cheerleaders are on the sidelines chanting cheers and waving their palms. It's a lot more complicated than that. Women fly through the air doing various flips and turns which are difficult and dangerous. Men also play a vital role in cheerleading. Co-ed stunting involves a man literally throwing a woman up in the air and catching her in various ways. For example, a man will toss a a woman up in the air and catch her two feet in one hand. So basically she is standing on his one hand. More elite stunts involve girls doing 360 turns up into the air and landing in a man's hand. These stunts are dangerous and it's easy for someone to get hurt.

Hofstra University cheerleaders compete in the small co-ed division at nationals. Every January different teams from all over the nation come to Orlando Florida for this epic competition. About a month ago, I went to Florida with the team to see them compete. Watching them win the seventh national title was amazing. People were crying, screaming and jumping all over the place. I wasn't able to compete due to the fact that I just got on the team. However next January I hope that I have the chance to go to Florida and compete. It's February right now and our team is already training for next year. After every practice my muscles are sore, and I'm out of breath. I never thought I would become a cheerleader at college.