Tag: Cheerleading

Kennedy Dykes signs with Tennessee

Kennedy Dykes, daughter of Jimmy Dykes, signs with Tennessee.

Kennedy Dykes signed to be a cheerleader at Tennessee on Wednesday.

Dykes is the daughter of ESPN and SEC Network basketball analyst Jimmy Dykes.

“So proud of our daughter Kennedy for signing with the University of Tennessee cheer team,” Jimmy Dykes announced. “She’s headed to Rocky Top.”

Jimmy Dykes served as women’s basketball head coach at Arkansas from 2014-17, compiling a 43-49 (15-33 SEC) record. He guided the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament during his first season.

He also served as a men’s assistant coach in the Southeastern Conference at Arkansas (1984-85) and Kentucky (1987-89).

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell introduced as Tennessee Lady Vols’ basketball head coach

Bijan Robinson donates $25k to Austin Junior Jags, meets team

Bijan Robinson donated $25,000 to the Austin Junior Jags football and cheerleading program, which helps underserved Texan youth athletes.

Former University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson continues to give back to the Austin community after making his way to the Atlanta Falcons — and the NFL Player’s Association took note of his efforts.

With a donation of $25,000 to the Austin Junior Jags football and cheerleading program, Robinson was named the Week 2 NFLPA Community MVP, according to ESPN reporter Adam Schefter. He is the third rookie in league history to earn that award, Schefter said.

Robinson also met with the players, and you can feel their excitement as he surprised them — in the video posted to marketing organization Capture Sports & Entertainment, you can hear one of the kids repeating “Bijan Robinson” non-stop like a broken record. The young athletes jumped up to hug him and dap him up.

The Junior Jags consists of four football teams and 17 cheerleaders aged 5 to 12. It focuses on underserved Texan kids, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

The $25,000 donation will be used for new uniforms, cover the costs of field dues, and go toward the end-of-year celebration, according to the news outlet.

As part of awarding Robinson the Community MVP, the NFLPA will also donate $10,000 to a foundation of Robinson’s choice, the Statesman reported.

“Being involved in youth football is what helped me get to where I am today,” Robinson said in a statement to NBC Sports. “So I wanted to take some of the burden off these young athletes and their families heading into this year’s season.”

It certainly takes off some burden — and gives these kids a moment they’ll never forget.

Notre Dame cheerleading accomplishes program first

A program first – congrats to @NDCheerTeam!

Over the weekend, I received a text message from a former Notre Dame athlete asking why the managing editor of Fighting Irish Wire didn’t acknowledge a program first that occurred over the weekend for a Notre Dame team.

I had seen tweets about something so I knew what they were talking about but in complete transparency, I don’t know the first thing about that sport.  With that in mind, I turn the rest of this over to former Notre Dame cheerleader Becky (Shepkowski) Shaw.

She is most remembered for holding the “WE” sign in front of the student section during the BYU football game in 2003.

Watch: Notre Dame cheerleading video from 1991

Let’s go into the past of Notre Dame cheerleading.

So much goes into the fan experience whenever a game takes place at Notre Dame Stadium or Purcell Pavilion. You obviously have the game itself, but you also have the band and, of course, the cheerleaders. Whether they’re dancing with pom-poms, shouting cheers out through horns or simply doing Irish jigs, the cheerleaders have been an integral part of Notre Dame athletics for a long time.

It goes without saying that the select few who have been Notre Dame cheerleaders are just as tight-knit as the athletes. In fact, the cheerleaders have hosted reunions before. We know this because this video from 1991 exists:

The most interesting part about this by far is the use of “One Shining Moment” as the music. Sure, there are far worse songs that could have been used for this, but it would be very nice to know what the thought process was behind this decision. If you had a hand in making this video and are reading this post, please reach out.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

High School cheerleading dads bust out their moves in jumping competition

Cedar High Cheer held their first annual “Cheer Dad – Jump Off Competition,” featuring the team members’ own fathers!

Cedar High Cheer held their first annual “Cheer Dad – Jump Off Competition,” featuring the team members’ own fathers!

Cheerleader’s emotional reaction to making the squad

When the competition got tighter because of COVID-19, Kayla Kosmaski had her doubts about making the cheer team. She couldn’t hold back the tears when she saw the results.

When the competition got tighter because of COVID-19, Kayla Kosmaski had her doubts about making the cheer team. She couldn’t hold back the tears when she saw the results.

College Football Morning Announcements for May 20

Good morning and happy Wednesday. Miss recent college football headlines? Get caught up right here, right now!

Happy Wednesday and welcome to the midweek.  I know it’s been a few days since I’ve gotten one of these episodes of the podcast out – sometimes a leaky roof and flooded garage will cause things like that, though.

Subscribe to Nick Shepkowski’s CFB Morning Announcements on Apple Podcasts

In this edition of the College Football Morning Announcements:

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Notre Dame set to re-open for students but school president non-committal to football in the fall

A top linebacker makes his college choice as the rich get richer

An SEC dynasty just fired all of their coaches

And which teams are under the most pressure to win in 2020?