University of Guelph’s Homecoming Game Celebrates 35 Years of the First Co-ed Cheerleading Team

All eyes are fixated on the approaching Homecoming game organized by the University of Guelph. However, this game will be hosting another remarkable event as the first co-ed cheerleading team will be reuniting after 35 years.

Owing to a very humble start, with homemade uniforms and school spirit, the game will witness the cheers of a different Gryphon squad. Cheerleading has always been an all-women affair, but the university set aside the stereotypes and went beyond the boundaries exploring the idea of starting a co-ed cheer squad.  

Building from scratch marks a remarkable journey

Jamie Baxter while studying marketing and consumer studies in the year 1988 came across the information of the university’s athletics department setting up a co-ed cheer team. Although he had meager knowledge about cheerleading, his enthusiastic spirit stimulated him to sign up and assist in the establishment process.

Baxter along with fellow mate Lori Barbato were assigned co-leading roles as senior members. Since expertise ran low in the team, the guidance of an experienced co-ed cheer coach from a local team has been sought. The team itself built themselves up to embark on the cheerleading journey.  

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As reported by UG News, Baxter merrily recounted the nostalgic journey, “We didn’t even have uniforms for our first event, which was Homecoming; we had T-shirts. But we were scrappy. We eventually fundraised for uniforms and even got a new mascot through fundraising efforts.”

The diligent spirit led to remarkable growth

Initially, the team ran low on expertise and skills and their performance lacked the primary factor involved in modern cheerleading which is acrobatic spectacles. However, with their existing skills, they aimed at having fun and entertaining the crowd. This sparkling spirit grasped the attention of the crowd and the squad continued to improvise their stunts. 

In their attempt to escalate their moves, the co-ed cheerleading squad engaged themselves in a training session with college teams in the US after traveling to Boston. Their unstoppable enigma and pursuit to do better earned them a prestigious spot at Gryphon Football games. Mastering the innovative cheerleading tactics, they performed at the basketball games when Gryphon’s grabbed the OUA men’s basketball championship. 

Baxter’s experience at the co-ed cheerleading squad plays an important role in succeeding professionally as a cheer coach himself. In the meantime, all the members got busy in their personal lives and lost touch which thereby spikes the enthusiasm revolving around the upcoming event.

In collaboration with Alumni Affairs and Development, the University of Guelph has made an attempt to honor its first co-ed cheerleading squad by organizing a reunion. This event will manifest the amalgamation of cheerleading classics and the modern cheerleading teams sparking a new tradition.  

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