2008 Woodie Awards
Cheering the rams along
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: Sports
There's a new addition to the athletics family this year and if you have recently attended a home basketball game, you may already know about the latest secret of Suffolk University.
For the first time in four years, according to Director of Athletics Jim Nelson, Suffolk University has a cheerleading team supporting the Rams from the baseline during home basketball games at Regan Gymnasium.
The squad is made up of 14 females, who all have high school cheering experience and who put the team together under their own will and determination.
According to freshman and current member Sarah Kantany, the idea for a cheerleading team originated last year amongst a few of the girls.
This simple idea turned into reality earlier this semester when the girls held an open meeting for those who sought to take part in cheering at the college level.
"We've all cheered before, everyone one of us," said Kantany.
"We wanted to continue to do cheering," she said.
"I think all of us show that we love it, because why would we waste our time."
Establishing a team from the ground up is an accomplishment in itself, but it hasn't been all calm waters and smooth sailing for the newly established squad. Aside from the fact that they do not have a coach, the ladies have faced tough financial obstacles that have hindered the group's progress.
The team was unable to receive a set budget this year due to rules of Suffolk University's financial process, that were out of anyone's control. Coach Nelson explained that when the girls approached him, budgets for the 2004-2005 year had already been submitted. These were processed back in the spring of 2004.
This forced the squad to take matters into their own hands once again. "We had to buy our uniforms, our sneakers, our ribbons, our socks, our body suits, every thing ourselves," stated Kantany. "It's really expensive and we couldn't even buy really nice ones because we couldn't really afford it."