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ThePantherPrints ¢* Sports

October 8, 1996

"Give mea U... " Cheerleading at UPEI

by Aldera Chisholm

UPEI students are of- ten accused of being apa- thetic and lacking school spirit. One student at UPEI is doing her part to change that attitude by forming a cheerleading team.

School spirit is most obviously reflected in our sports teams, and specifi- cally student attendance at those games. Carla Francheville, a new student to the univeristy, noticed that students at UPEI sports are “very serious at games, with not much spectator involve- ment.” She is starting a cheerleading team because she believes having cheer- leaders present at those games is necessary to help boost spirits. “Every team

needs moral support, and every team can play better

when they have their school backing them up” she noted. As well, Francheville be- lieves that having a cheerleading team present will help stir up the crowd, and increase spectator in- volvement.

Francheville brings ten years of gymnastic train- ing, and experience cheer- ing for McGill to the UPEI squad. The McGill team cheered for home and away games, as well as participat- ing in the opening of the French Juno Awards, and they were shown on TSN at Nationals in the Sky Dome and at the Vanier Cup. Dur- ing McGIll games, the cheer- leaders did cheers on the sidelines, and well as stunts

and dances on the floor dur- ing timeouts and half-times.

The UPEI cheering team will bea “power” team consisting of both men and women. Power cheering is defined as having very strong, precise, and bold movements. As well, most of the cheerer’s jobs are to stunt -- not to sing. Francheville stressed that cheering is a physically de- manding sport that involves

stunts such as midair flips.

and pyramids. A basic stunt group consists of four peo- ple: two bases, a top who is litted and thrown by the bases, and a spotter to en- sure the stunt goes well. The ideal team can have any- where up to twenty mem- bers. To be a cheerleader, Francheville says that strength, agility, and dance, gymnastics or cheerleading experience isan asset. How- ever, enthusiasm is a pre- requisite.

The cheerleading team has the full coopera- tion of the athletic depart- ment. Barb Mullaly, direc- tor of Athletics, said that the department was “very pleased to help the team along.” Mullaly did not feel that there would be any com- petition between this team and the Cage Crew. In fact, she saw a role for the two groups to work together in an attempt to help fans en- joy the game. The athletic department is also making moves to step up crowd at- tendance and enthusiasm by having contests and promo- tions for student groups

present at the games.

The team is piloting this year, they urge that students come out and help

that the team does not re- quire a large time commit- ment, with practices sched- uled on mornings and week-

doesn’t accept anybody else” she said; “the more the better!” Anyone interested should call Carla at 626-

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