If you attend any University of Denver basketball, hockey, soccer or lacrosse game you will more than likely observe ten students dressed in Crimson and Gold swing their pom poms and do a crazy plethora of flips and tricks. These ten individuals are members of the DU Cheerleading Club and are devoted representatives of the DU brand. 

“I think we have a completely different role within the community as we’re not focused on competing as much,” said DU Cheerleading President Maddie Knox. “We’re focused on promoting school spirit and representing the school in the best way possible.” 

The team in years past has gone through some structural changes. In 2004, they moved to the marketing department of DU to promote basketball and hockey. 

The team went through fluctuating participation and co-ed teams before being cut in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The team was brought back for the 2021-22 school year, yet again under the marketing department. For the 2022-23 school year, the team has transitioned to become a club sports program, which is a brand new territory for the team. 

“There are a lot of opportunities involving club sports since it is student-run. We have a lot more freedom and choices over what we want to do,” Knox explained. 

 After the pandemic, many of the team members did not return. Despite this loss, the team recruited eight new first-year members. One of those was freshman Jacqueline Roth, who said she has learned a lot about herself during her first year with the team. 

“Being a DU cheerleader has surpassed my expectations [more] than I thought [it] would,” Roth said. “I really feel like the team has become a family. I know everyone always says that, but it’s true.”

The team spends a lot of its time appearing alongside varsity athletic teams, getting the crowd involved in games and events. The team practices routines and skill work for their performances three times a week. 

Historically, the team has consisted of 12 to 16 members. This season, only one of the ten members of the DU Cheerleading team is a man, which is something Knox hopes to expand in the future. 

“You don’t need to have any experience. As long as you’re willing to try and put yourself out there a little bit, you’ll be able to do it and be successful,” Knox said. 

“The cheer team is an open and inclusive environment. There’s a variety of skill levels and experience on the team. Having male members on the team adds a new perspective and adds a new opportunity for skill building,” noted Roth. 

The DU Cheerleading team is more than just tumbling, stunting, and putting on performances at athletic events. The team orients a lot of its focus toward community service and helping the Denver community. 

In November, the team first participated in the annual Teddy Bear Toss that took place during DU’s men’s hockey game against Arizona State. The team helped collect all the stuffed animals off the ice and delivered them to the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver. 

A week later, the team held its annual toy drive in front of the Ritchie Center and collected unwrapped toys for kids ages 5 to 18 from holiday-spirited donors. 

“To see all of the families that came to drop off toys and how many teddy bears there were on the ice was amazing to think about how many kids we could reach in these ways,” said freshman member Haley Russell. 

The team rounded off their community involvement by leading a cheerleading clinic and delivering all of the toys to the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver. They conducted exercises and taught the kids how to be a cheerleader. Sophomore treasurer Natasha Morris had a special connection to the clinic the team put on for the kids. 

“I was about their age when I discovered what a cheerleader was, and ever since I always wanted to be one. I looked up to them because I admired their athleticism and spirit,” said Morris. “So in hindsight, going from wishing to be a cheerleader to being a collegiate cheerleader and performing for these kids felt surreal.”

The news made its way to a big Denver news station, CBS News Colorado, and the team was given coverage of the great community service they were a part of. Though, Knox said the recognition is not what the team valued most from the whole slate of community events. 

“It’s a great chance for our team to be showcased,” said Knox. “But I think our biggest takeaway is how much we can do for the Denver community and just making sure that everyone feels loved to the best of our ability.” 

If you are interested in being a part of the DU Cheerleading team, reach out to them on social media, @du_cheerleading, or reach out by email to cheerleading@du.edu.