Spirit team gears up for Fall
8/18/2016 4:19:00 PM | General, Spirit Program
As the Fresno State football team gears up for its first game of the 2016-17 season, the Bulldog spirit team is doing the same on the other side of Cedar Avenue.
FRESNO, CALIF.- As the Fresno State football team gears up for its first game of the 2016-17 season, the Bulldog spirit team is doing the same on the other side of Cedar Avenue.
The spirit team goes through a fall camp every year in August, just like the football team, to prepare for the upcoming seasons. For the spirit team, it entails six rigorous days of eight hour practices.
"So far it's been awesome," head spirit coach Emmeline Jennings said. "We have a very talented team this year."
The Fresno State spirit team is made up of a dance team and a coed cheer team, totaling 46 student-athletes cheering on the sidelines of Fresno State games. The spirit team can be seen at every football game, but they also attend every volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball home game to support their fellow Bulldogs.
Coach Jennings really wants to put emphasis on spreading the word about Fresno State through the spirit team everywhere they go.
Junior dance team member, Hayley McBride, explains that it's not just dancing at games that made her fall in love with the spirit program here at Fresno State, "being on the dance team allows me to be super involved on campus and it has made my Fresno State experience that much better. I get to represent a great school every time I wear my uniform. Not everyone is able to see how truly great Fresno State is, but being a part of this organization has given me the opportunity to see things from a different side."
Throughout the year the teams practice three times a week focusing on preparing new routines for all the home games while simultaneously perfecting one routine that they will take to the National Cheerleader Association Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. Along with the practices and the spring competition these student-athletes also must be full-time students.
Hayley and the rest of the spirit squad are looking forward to getting back on the field this fall and being able to interact with the Red Wave during the tailgates.
"When we see how excited the Red Wave is at games it really amps up our excitement," Hayley said.
Senior football player, Aaron Peck, wants the spirit squad to know how much of an impact they make not only on the atmosphere of the stadium and the Red Wave, but the student-athletes on the field or court too.
"Our spirit team is important because they do a great job of pumping up our crowd and we feed off of their energy during games," Peck says. "Their hard work is definitely appreciated from all of the players because they help us perform better at home."
Jennings expressed that she is most proud of her team this year because of their unity and the high standards that they hold themselves to, to proudly represent the Red Wave.
For more information about the Fresno State Spirit Program or to make a donation, please reach out to the Spirit Advisor, Allison Thurner athurner@csufresno.edu
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
The spirit team goes through a fall camp every year in August, just like the football team, to prepare for the upcoming seasons. For the spirit team, it entails six rigorous days of eight hour practices.
"So far it's been awesome," head spirit coach Emmeline Jennings said. "We have a very talented team this year."
The Fresno State spirit team is made up of a dance team and a coed cheer team, totaling 46 student-athletes cheering on the sidelines of Fresno State games. The spirit team can be seen at every football game, but they also attend every volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball home game to support their fellow Bulldogs.
Coach Jennings really wants to put emphasis on spreading the word about Fresno State through the spirit team everywhere they go.
Junior dance team member, Hayley McBride, explains that it's not just dancing at games that made her fall in love with the spirit program here at Fresno State, "being on the dance team allows me to be super involved on campus and it has made my Fresno State experience that much better. I get to represent a great school every time I wear my uniform. Not everyone is able to see how truly great Fresno State is, but being a part of this organization has given me the opportunity to see things from a different side."
Throughout the year the teams practice three times a week focusing on preparing new routines for all the home games while simultaneously perfecting one routine that they will take to the National Cheerleader Association Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida. Along with the practices and the spring competition these student-athletes also must be full-time students.
Hayley and the rest of the spirit squad are looking forward to getting back on the field this fall and being able to interact with the Red Wave during the tailgates.
"When we see how excited the Red Wave is at games it really amps up our excitement," Hayley said.
Senior football player, Aaron Peck, wants the spirit squad to know how much of an impact they make not only on the atmosphere of the stadium and the Red Wave, but the student-athletes on the field or court too.
"Our spirit team is important because they do a great job of pumping up our crowd and we feed off of their energy during games," Peck says. "Their hard work is definitely appreciated from all of the players because they help us perform better at home."
Jennings expressed that she is most proud of her team this year because of their unity and the high standards that they hold themselves to, to proudly represent the Red Wave.
For more information about the Fresno State Spirit Program or to make a donation, please reach out to the Spirit Advisor, Allison Thurner athurner@csufresno.edu
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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