Do you ever wonder what a West Field Cheerleaders day looks like on football game day? Everyone sees the cheerleaders at school or at games, but they don’t see behind the scenes before or during game day. A cheerleader’s day in life may be different then what it seems.
A West Field Cheerleader has a busy schedule on a football game day. Tiyanna Doxey, senior, says, “I go to school, and then I get ready, which takes me like an hour to do my hair, do my makeup, and get my uniform on. Then I eat some food and then get all my stuff.” She also adds, “We have to be there an hour early to roll out the mats and get warmed up before the game starts.” This shows that the cheerleader’s have such a busy schedule. With a busy schedule it’s hard to get anything done, like school work. Most of their day consists of game day preparations and the game itself, showing their dedication and commitment to school spirit.
Before the cheerleaders set out for a football game, a cheerleader’s preparation begins internally. Doxey says the first thing she does to prepare for a game is get in a good mood. “I just have to be excited or in a good mood because if you’re in a bad mood, you don’t wanna cheer at all and the game is boring,” she said. Having a good mood makes the game fun and more exciting. Cheerleaders’ moods and enthusiasm can affect the crowd’s engagement and the players’ performance, showing the impact that the cheerleaders have on everyone at the game.
Many people want to know what the cheerleaders do during halftime. Doxey says “…during halftime we usually do a performance that we had to put together for the past two weeks. Which is like a minute and a half.” During halftime, most days the cheerleaders don’t get a break; They have to perform and entertain the crowd, demonstrating the dedication they have to keep the school spirit high throughout the entire football game.
What truly makes football game day special for West Field cheerleaders? Doxey believes that the best part about game day is the connection the cheerleaders have with the crowds. She says, “…when there is a big crowd and they cheer with you, It makes the game more fun and exciting.” When the crowd joins the cheerleaders in cheering, it not only makes the game more fun, but it gets the rest of the crowd riled up and excited, showing the cheerleaders role to the school spirit and energy at the games.
How do cheerleaders stay energized during the football games? Doxey says, “I would say I stay more energized and focused now because I am the captain. But, I mostly stay energized and focused by paying attention to the crowd and how much energy they give. It makes me give that amount of energy back.” Staying energized and focused during a game is crucial to perform their planned routines effectively. The cheerleaders exchange energy with the crowd which creates a whirlwind of excitement among the whole crowd.
A cheerleaders day may seem simple and easy on football game days, but that’s not all true. They have lots of preparation and work they have to do before the game. The cheerleaders dedicate their days to focus, prepare, perform, and provide lots of energy to entertain the crowd and help motivate the players to win the game. Other than the players, the cheerleaders also play a major role in the game by entertaining and hyping up the crowd.