Cheer!
Three Teams on a Quest for College Cheerleading's Ultimate Prize
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Chapter 1
The Yale of College Cheerleading
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Brad Patterson leans back in his chair. On the blue mat in front of him, more than 150 cheerleaders form an ocean of bodies as they practice. Brad crosses his arms over his chest, his baby face out of place on his bulky body. In his purple SFA polo shirt with sunglasses tucked into the open buttons, he appears laidback. But 足he's taking careful mental notes. 足It's the day before tryouts for the Stephen F. Austin cheerleading squad. As head coach, by the end of tomorrow, Brad will have to whittle the 150 people on the mat down to just thirty.
Stephen F. Austin State University is the Yale of college cheerleading. 足They've won their division, Cheer I at NCA Nationals, eight times. Just three weeks ago, they clinched a fourth set of championship rings in a row. In fact, the squad has won every year since 足it's been under 足Brad's direction.
SFA is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, a city that calls itself "The Oldest ... read full excerpt from: Cheer!: Inside the Secret World of College Cheerleaders ebook
