CSULB cheer goes national in more ways than one

Cheer • The Cal State Long Beach cheer team is made up of a competitive all-girls squad and a co-ed team that performs and cheers at all volleyball and basketball home games. Tracey Roman/ Online Forty-Niner

 

By Joanne Rallo
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

Cheerleading is a sport that has evolved over the years into a high impact, competitive, pulse raging event. 

The Cal State Long Beach cheer team is made up of a competitive all-girls squad and a co-ed team that performs and cheers at all volleyball and basketball home games. The cheer squads travel to select Big West opponent games, post-season play, such as the Big West Tournament in Anaheim, and any NCAA playoffs.

"I'm just really amazed of the talent of this team," said Katherine Covellone, one of three captains on the all-girl squad. "We have improved incredibly since last year and at every practice you can tell there's improvement."

The squad competes at regional and national competitions and has swept the USA College Nationals two years in a row. An upcoming event on Nov. 7 consists of the team showcasing their skills at the Orange County All Stars competition. Although the team will not compete, they will give a preview of a routine that will be performed at the National Cheer Competition next semester in Florida.

Eric Anderson is the head coach for both the all-girl team and the co-ed team.

"We are one of the top teams in the country," Anderson said. "This year's team is the most talented."

The CSULB cheerleaders attended and performed at the Discovery Channel Monster House's Kappa Sigma fraternity house renovation filming on Oct. 2.

The cheer team was also highlighted in last Thursday's Good Morning America show, where they performed a live routine in front of the nation.

The team also cheers at pep-rallies, fund raisers and promotional events.

The question is, does our school give this team the recognition that they deserve for their hard work and endless effort? Friends, family, faculty and staff can do many things to help support the cheerleading squad. Here are five things that you can do to help support the cheer team at games and competitions.

1. Sit in view of the cheerleaders and yell back with them during their cheers. People can also help pass the word when they are going to do specialty cheers like a Class Cheer or the Wave. At competitions, there is often a score given on how well the team can use signs and cheers to get the crowd to yell back. Don't be afraid to yell back.

2. Help fundraise for events. Cheerleading can be expensive when you consider the cost of uniforms, shoes, camp, competitions and travel. Cheerleaders should always fundraise for themselves, but it is nice to have a helping hand at car washes, bake sales and at games.

3. Critique routines and sidelines. Constructive criticism from a spectator's view is beneficial to the cheerleaders. Maybe the team needs to work on their voices or the timing of their cheers. A spectator sitting in the stands might notice something a coach would miss.

4. Hold up signs, poms or flags. Make signs that support the squad and wave them during the game or competition. It makes the cheerleaders feel great.

5. Spectator presence at games and competitions is the best support. Everyone shows up at games to support the volleyball team or the basketball team, but hardly anyone shows just to support the cheerleaders and cheer for them and their hard work. Whatever you do, large or small, will make a difference in the hearts of cheerleaders.