There’s lots of controversy surrounding whether cheerleading is a sport or not. Sahuaro’s Head Cheerleading Coach, Coach Kiki, responds to that by saying, “Come out and try some stunts!” Cheerleading can be very challenging and dangerous, but it is often overlooked as a sport. Coach Kiki has been a coach for the past 8 years, and coaching at Sahuaro for 4. Before Sahuaro, he coached at Tucson Youth Football & Spirit Federation.
Coach Kiki was born in California, lived in England until he was five, and has been in Tucson ever since. Coach shared that his favorite college cheer team is Navarro College Cheerleading. Navarro has one of the best college cheer teams, winning 17 National Championships since 2000, and even had a documentary called Cheer made. One of the reasons he decided to coach cheer is because his mom did it, but he also says that he enjoys teaching young kids and watching them grow. What he loves most about coaching cheer is watching his athletes grow and progress.
During the summer, Coach Kiki offers open practices, which is a great opportunity for future cheerleaders to learn some jumps, stunts, cheers, and dances to get ready for tryouts. Attending open practices is very helpful when preparing for cheer, especially if you’re new. He encourages all students who are interested in participating in cheer to come out and try their best, even if they have zero experience. Coach Kiki says that his piece of advice to students interested in coming out for cheer is, “Always come with a lot of spirit, confidence, and have a good will to learn.” He is not one to discourage anyone from trying new things.
Coach Kiki enjoys his job but encounters challenges at the start and end of each season. His main challenge is conducting tryouts and selecting the members of the cheer squad. However, he overcomes this obstacle by creating a system to assist him in making the final decision, based on scores and performance when it comes to the jumps, cheers, and dances.
Before the actual tryouts, Coach Kiki holds a tryout clinic where cheerleaders can learn and practice the dances they’ll need to perform. After that, potential cheerleaders are informed of all requirements for the tryout day. Coach Kiki does not hesitate when it comes to giving constructive criticism. He says that because students might be nervous or embarrassed when it comes to asking for feedback, he offers it willingly.
Coach Kiki’s idea of the perfect cheer team is one where everyone gets along. Something that he looks for in a cheerleader as an individual is someone ready to be a leader with a lot of energy – someone who can get people hyped up and excited. Right now, he is happy with his team. He loves Sahuaro cheer, and Sahuaro cheer loves him.
