Fresno State Athletics
Spirit Squad Changes Announced
5/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
May 3, 2010
FRESNO, Calif. - Beginning this fall, Fresno State is combining its cheer, dance and mascot programs to form a cohesive Spirit Squad. While each program will still have its distinct roles in providing in-game entertainment, all three programs will work in collaboration to improve the quality of entertainment for its fans while working in conjunction with the Bulldog Marching Band and Pep Band to continually strive to provide the best possible fan experience at athletic events.
The cheer program has added two new coaches for the upcoming season. Head coach Shawna Pribble and Associate Head Coach Nichol Gagnon have both been a part of Fresno State's cheer squad in the past and together have a combined 20 years of coaching experience.
Pribble believes that working with all three programs, cheer, dance and TimeOut, they will be able to collaborate together and give performances showing all groups talent.
"When I was on the team, my coach taught me to be a role model in the community. We strived for excellence and I hope to bring that to the team this year. I want to bring tradition, pride and professionalism to the program."
Gagon cheered for Fresno State from 2004-2009 and will return after only graduating one year ago. She believes that adding the dance team to the spirit squad will be a great addition and get the crowd and fans more involved.
"I remember traveling to other schools for football games and they would have their dance team and cheer team side by side, and it looked awesome. Our hopes are to be able to bring our routines together and show the school how much spirit and talent we have."
 Fresno State Cheer Squad  | |
On May 7 and 8 the cheer team will be holding open try-outs for their competitive program. For more information visit the cheer squad's website by CLICKING HERE
As, the dance team wraps-up their first season after being reinstated, the program looks forward to the upcoming season as part of the restructured spirit squad. The team will be directed by second-year head coach, Tiphanie McNiff, a Fresno native who has 12 years of experience in coaching and teaching dance. McNiff is entering her third season as member of the Oakland Raiderettes and was named 2009 Raiderette Co-Dancer of the Year.
"I'm really excited about the changes being made to the spirit program this year. I'm looking forward to working with the Athletic Department and a unified spirit squad. It should be a great year for Fresno State."
McNiff is also looking forward to working with long-time friend, cheer coach Pribble.
Fresno State Marching Band Director, Timothy Anderson, doesn't want people to think of Bulldog football games as just a 'football game,' but rather as an event.
"One of our goals with the Bulldog Marching Band is to create an 'event' at Bulldog games. A game includes the tail-gating, friends and family, students and alumni and the traditional cheers and fight songs, good times, and hopefully a victory. Pageantry elements such as bands, cheer squads, dance team and mascots are all part of what makes the college game an event."
 TimeOut | |
To ensure the tradition and prestige of mascot, TimeOut and the mascot program at Fresno State, the Bulldog Pride Fund, a scholarship within the Fresno State Alumni Association, has a new, annual scholarship of $2,000 to be awarded to the students who perform as TimeOut.
"We're thrilled to provide the TimeOut Spirit Award, an academic scholarship that demonstrates true Bulldog loyalty, pride and spirit," said Peter Robertson, Fresno State alumnus and founder of the Bulldog Pride Fund.
The scholarship will be given Oct. 15, 2010 to coincide with the Centennial Celebration and the Fresno State Alumni Association's Top Dog Alumni Awards Gala. For more information visit on Bulldog Pride Fund, please visit www.bulldogpride.org.
Paul Ladwig, Fresno State's Associate Athletics Director of External Relations, is just as excited as everyone else about this combination to enhance the spirit squad.
With three quality coaches newly hired they will continue the excellence and professionalism of the Fresno State Cheer and Dance teams.
"Integrating these teams with our sensational marching band to create the best fan experience along with developing new routines that will thrill the Bulldog fans is an enormous and rewarding responsibility. I know that our new coaches and Tim Anderson are looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that await them."
"We Are Your Team!" - The Bulldog Foundation has launched the "Drive to Five," a membership campaign with a goal to increase the number of Bulldog Foundation members from 2,800 to 5,000 by September of 2011. Please help us reach this goal by spreading the word to your family, friends, and other Bulldog fans in the community. Memberships start at only $100 and payment plans are available. Increasing the Bulldog Foundation membership to 5,000 members will provide new resources that will directly benefit Fresno State Athletics and all 450 student-athletes.
