We were all pretty fascinated with the routines (and drama!) in Bring It On, and millions of fans secretly wished they could have been part of the squad. Cheerleading has had a special place in American culture since the 1950s, often an elite social clique in our high school experience.
For better, or for worse — we all noticed them!
Plenty To Cheer About
While your high school team seemed like it was full of cheer and fun, the college level has been transformed into a serious athletic endeavor in recent decades!
Around 98% of female cheerleaders are trained gymnasts, and it certainly shows in the high velocity moves broadcast on ESPN every year. Let’s take a look at the most competitive university-level teams in every state today.
Ready? Tuck, tumble, go!
South Carolina — Clemson University
The Clemson University cheerleading team provides world-class sparkles and smiles, and it’s not hard to see why the athletics have been so successful! With these girls cheering you on, it might seem like it would be easy to fumble the ball — but the Tigers have used this energy for the best.
As it turns out, there is also a coed team. The school is really never short of a chant! Training is pretty serious outside of class, with gym duty three mornings a week and practice three nights a week. Both groups have the option to compete nationally every year, and it sounds like they certainly have the preparation!
Alabama — University of Alabama
Sweet home Alabama, things are pretty serious at the flagship university down there. As one of the best cheer programs in the nation, The Crimson Tide has seen many impressive wins. In fact, both the coed and all-girl teams took first place in the Division 1A league this year!
They actually have a lot to cheer about, since their football team is also a 15-time national champion titleholder. These guys and gals seem to be very effective motivators! But really, who could resist their spunk in those sparkly little crimson costumes?
Texas — Navarro College
Navarro College may be a school you haven’t heard of if you are outside the region, but cheer fans might be quite familiar with this small cheer champion institution. Although it is a two-year school, Navarro has one of the best cheerleading programs in the nation!
The team competes at the NCA College Nationals, and they have won first place six years in a row! Navarro seems to understand the need for work-study balance, and they offer 20 scholarships every semester to help cover housing. Interestingly, the gender ratio of the team is 18-12, with more men!
A bit unusual, but it looks like they found a winning formula for their niche.
Missouri — The University of Missouri
The University of Missouri has both coed and all-girl teams in their cheerleading program. As Mizzou ambassadors, these peppy acrobats support football, volleyball, and basketball.
And they don’t just perform at home — cheerleaders travel to away games and national tournaments to show their Missouri skills to the world!
In the last 20 years, the Mizzou squad has placed nationally in the top ten 19 times. Anyone competing at the NCA Collegiate Nationals this year better watch out for this top team! The Tigers never show up to lose.
Kansas — University of Kansas
Dorothy had quite a whirlwind in the whimsical world of The Wizard of Oz, but she probably never pictured cheerleading taking over her home sweet home. The University of Kansas is now a fierce competitor at the UCA College Nationals each year, placing fourth in the most recent event.
Their tornado of flips and twirls has really impressed judges on the national stage!
All cheerleaders receive scholarships, giving them peace of mind to focus on motivating football and basketball teams throughout the year. Not a bad deal!
Kentucky — University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is home to a highly successful program in the NCA National league. Three teams at the school have won national titles: all-girl, small coed, and coed. They have won multiple times, in fact!
The cheerleaders perform at games for one of the most elite college basketball teams in the country, with season statistics like 31-6 and 35-5 in the NCAA games. The Cardinals and their cheer squad are clearly a winning duo!
Colorado — The University of Colorado
The University of Colorado has an all-girls team as well as a coed group, and the squads attend all kinds of sporting events. Football, basketball, and volleyball get cheerful rallies each and every game from their fellow student-athletes.
When the players are away from home, the cheer team tags along to make sure they are never without a chant. And in their spare time, they perform nationally in the USA and NCA National competitions. Go, go Buffs!
Oklahoma — Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is consistently ranked as a top cheer school, and they maintain three different teams to compete at nationals every year. Small coed, large coed, and all-girl typically have a strong showing!
So what does it take to be part of the fun? Tryouts require demonstration of many mastered skills. If you’re proficient in standing back tucks, standing full tucks, back handspring back tucks, and round off handspring tucks — consider applying. But honestly, few of us have what it takes! Hats off to you, OSU cheer.
Louisiana — Louisiana State University
LSU is known as a major football school in the region, drawing loyal student and community fans to every game in the season. Along the way, crowds enjoy high-energy cheerleading performances from 41 of their hometown girls sporting purple and gold.
But are the girls stuck on the football field? No way! Their spirit responsibilities extend to indoor and beach volleyball, basketball, and even gymnastics. Fun fact: American Cheerleader Magazine recently featured an LSU star cheerleader on their cover.
Maybe that’s because the team keeps placing in the top ten nationally, year after year!
Michigan — Davenport University
Michigan is home to some heavy-hitting football and basketball teams in the big divisions, but their D III category has an incredible cheer squad worth talking about. The all-girl group at Davenport University is actually the reigning national stunt champs in the NCA!
When they are not busy flipping on ESPN, the girls show their passion at pep rallies, school events, and men and women’s basketball games on home turf. Scholarships are available based on skill level, and we suspect quite a few girls qualify on this competitive team!
Hawaii — The University of Hawaii
Most of think of Hawaii as a paradise fit for a honeymoon, and we all hope to visit someday. We assume that beautiful girls dance the luau in grass shirts, but what is really going there these days?
Actually, cheerleading seems to be taking off on the island! The University of Hawaii Cheer team competes nationally at the Universal Cheerleaders Association Championship, held in a different location every year.
An exciting excuse to visit the mainland perhaps, but the team takes things pretty seriously. The UH team has placed in the top ten 15 times in 20 years!
Nevada — The University of Nevada Las Vegas
UNLV is probably already an exciting place to attend college. Just a short ride away from the dazzling lights and shows in Las Vegas, the cheer team has a lot to draw inspiration from when they’re not rehearsing. Has this magic rubbed off on them?
Indeed, it has! The UNLV cheerleaders claimed the national champion title in 2019, their first win at the Division lA all-girl level. The team works hard rehearsing and training from August to March, and it looks like Rebel Starzz Cheer belongs on your list next time you’re checking out professional acrobats in Las Vegas!
Iowa — Iowa State University
Iowa State University hosts an impressive Spirit Squad, and they do a lot more than traditional pompom action on the field. Their trio includes the cheerleading squad, the mascot squad, and a dance team. Now that’s a lineup!
School spirit is kept high at sporting events for all Cyclone fans, and their pride only increases each time the girls and guys win another national cheer title. In 2018, they placed in the top ten in five different categories at the NCA/NDA College Nationals!
Ohio — The Ohio State University
Ohio State actually has two teams. The official team has standard duties, but an extra club has made a name for itself over the course of more than two decades. Incredibly, 24 seasons have been funded by fellow students and donations from community members. So what is all the fuss about?
Training strictly for competitions, the girls tumble and jump with dazzling stunts during every practice. Each year, they compete at the NCA Collegiate Cheerleading Competition. Last year, they placed third! Not bad for a self-funded club team, is it?
North Carolina — UNC-Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina has actually been in the cheerleading business since 1914, regularly performing at athletic events for the Tar Heels. Beyond local spirit duties, the girls frequently attend national cheerleading contests with junior varsity and varsity teams. So how have they ranked over the years?
The UNC cheerleaders took titles in 1975 and 1975, placing fifth and third in the competitions. In 1978, they saw a top victory when they won the CBS National Collegiate Cheerleading Championship. And in 1994 and 1997, they won the UCA Division I-A and NCA Division I-A national titles. Not bad, ladies!
Florida — University of Central Florida
Ah, sunny Florida. Home to alligators, weird news stories, and many large universities. And as it turns out, a very impressive cheer squad!
The University of Central Florida is located just a short drive away from Disneyworld, and students there are always in good spirits. Maybe that’s why their cheerleading team ranks consistently in the top three competitors in the Division 1A contests!
The school offers scholarships to its squad members to make sure they can focus on their skills and their studies, a challenging balance — literally and figuratively — for those serious about this growing sport. Great idea, UCF!
Pennsylvania — Penn State
Penn State has two teams that compete nationally, and both have done quite well! The all-girl lineup holds one national title in partner stunts at the championship, and the coed team placed 11th recently in a difficult division. Very impressive, but is there anything else we should know?
Admirably, the Penn State squads love to put on charity events, and they have had results worth cheering about — Producing more than $5,000 for pediatric cancer, for example.
The team also loves to get the energy going at the 48-hour campus dance marathon, which has raised more than $30 million for the Penn State Children's Hospital. Now that’s school spirit!
New Mexico — New Mexico State University
The New Mexico State University cheerleading team has done very well, indeed. In 2019, these student-athletes placed fourth at the 2019 National Cheerleaders Association competition. Not too shabby, Aggies!
Under the direction of the same coach for 11 years, the program has developed from a fun campus activity to a serious competitive endeavor. In between community service to lift their spirits, the girls actively cheer 60 days a year and attend cheer camp during the summer. And don’t forget weight training!
There’s a lot more hard work behind those chants and cheers than people think!
Maryland — The University of Maryland
The University of Maryland hosts a cheer program for a range of sports events throughout the year with 55,000 fans. Students in football, basketball, and even Olympic sports are supported by these winning performances at each and every game. But how hard is it to make the squad, really?
Auditions are pretty rigorous, and don’t even think about applying if you’re not a level 5 flyer! The coach will also expect you to demonstrate two full handsprings, a standing toe-touch back tuck, and a running pass! If you happen to already be a level 9 or 10 gymnasts, that will help your cause quite a bit. Do you make the cut?
California — University Of Southern California
California dreamgirls make up this team of peppy cheerleaders, and they have a few tricks up their sleeves! While a traditional cheer routine is lots of fun, these girls add elements of song, dance, and stuntwork at every game. It’s quite a show, and there are dozens of new acts performed at games throughout the year.
The team has been performing since 1967, but the modern lineup has created an Instagram account so fans can follow them anytime as they train and plan. Check them out @uscsonggirls if you’re curious. We know you are!
Wisconsin — The University of Wisconsin
On, Wisconsin! The cheerleaders for this midwestern flagship school have plenty of catchy cheers and songs to motivate the team. Which team, you ask? Actually, the University of Wisconsin has nationally competitive football and basketball programs, which means the spirit squad has plenty to do!
Cold Wisconsin winters are no joke, but these ladies bring their pep to the outdoors to support their football stars, come rain or snow. Chilly fact: A football game commitment is six hours! This is serious cheer in the middle of January. We raise our pompoms to you, Badger gals!
New York — Hofstra University
There’s certainly a lot going on in New York, and cheerleading is no exception. In particular, Hofstra University is quite impressive. The squad has won first place nine times in the UCA College National Championship!
This Small Coed Division I team performs at festivals as well as athletic events throughout the year. During the summer, they attend cheer camp. And it seems that their accolades keep piling up during the offseason as well — at camp, the team won the top spot in the Cheer & Chant Competition!
They were also recognized as ‘Best Overall’ and received the ‘Most Collegiate’ titles during their jam-packed UCA summer break. Keep up the good work, ladies!
Georgia — Columbus State University
Georgia is home to a number of impressive institutions, but one school has really developed their cheer program in recent years. Columbus State University has won an impressive 11 Division II titles in the last 20 years, and in multiple categories!
CSU has coed two teams, a large and small division. Talent for the Cougar cheer squad draws from all around the state, and Columbus itself is the third-largest urban area in Georgia. While the actual mountain cat is no longer a regular in this region, these Cougar student-athletes are definitely a majestic sight to be seen!
Tennessee — The University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee hosts a very recognizable cheer team since they seem to show up at hundreds of appearances! Football, basketball, and volleyball are just the beginning. They also bring their smiles to other campus events, as well as corporate, and community outings.
The UT cheer team is more than your average student commitment!
Nationally, the team attends the UCA championship every year to compete at the Division 1A Co-Ed level. How have they done? It looks like their constantly packed schedule prepares them well for the big day, making finals 22 times in the past 24 years! Hard work pays off, especially in cheer.
Indiana — Indiana University
Indiana University at Bloomington is the flagship institution in this midwestern state, and their basketball team has really made a name for itself. At each game, an all-girl squad cheers them on to victory. How lovely!
As it turns out, these girls have won plenty of titles themselves. They snagged the number one spot in the Division 1A league at UCA College Nationals. Big names like San Diego State and Florida State were left in their wake at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Pretty serious business!
Massachusetts — UMass Lowell
Navarro College may be a school you haven’t heard of if you are outside the region, but cheer fans might be quite familiar with this small cheer champion institution. Although it is a two-year school, Navarro has one of the best cheerleading programs in the nation!
The team competes at the NCA College Nationals, and they have won first place six years in a row! Navarro seems to understand the need for work-study balance, and they offer 20 scholarships every semester to help cover housing. Interestingly, the gender ratio of the team is 18-12, with more men!
A bit unusual, but it looks like they found a winning formula for their niche.
Delaware — Wilmington University
Wilmington is home to a very impressive lineup of cheerleaders grouped into two teams. The all-girl and coed squads have consistently placed nationally in the DII championships!
They have actually been winners eight times in a row, a real honor for a small state like Delaware. The Wilmington Wildcats regularly enjoy stunts at their games, which students are happy to commute to for Friday night fun. As it turns out, the school is largely commuter!
Many programs combine online work with in-person classes, so showing up really requires a draw. National champion cheer routines are definitely worth the drive!
Arkansas — University of Central Arkansas
Arkansas seems like a quiet state, but there’s a lot going on cheer-wise. The University of Central Arkansas has two coed teams that have been national title winners in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Not bad, UCA!
In their free time, the cheer squads spend a lot of quality time in the community. The students volunteer at the local children’s hospital and put on regular philanthropic events. An attitude of serving others is promoted by the coaches all year, belying the stereotypes of mean cheerleaders! Nice work, everyone.
Oregon — University of Oregon
The Oregon Ducks have a loyal cheerleading team ready to provide spirited chants at football, basketball, and volleyball games on and off-campus. 42 team members are divided between 14 dancers and 14 stunt duos, and they love entertaining the crowd!
