June 25, 2024
Building upon the recent growth and development of Koala Athletics, Director of Athletics Glen Crawford is thrilled to announce the addition of Cheerleading to the College’s robust and steadily growing athletic program to begin Fall 2024.
Crawford shared, “Over the last several decades, cheerleading has quickly taken the world of athletics by storm, and Columbia College is excited to see the impact the sport can have on our campus. With our history of success and ever-evolving athletic program, we know that our student body will benefit from the added athletic opportunity as well as the boost to our school spirit!”
The first Columbia College Cheerleading squad appears in the 1975 Columbian (the Columbia College Annual Publication), declaring a mission of “bringing added spirit to basketball games.” Throughout its history, Columbia College has housed a number of “Spirit Squads” and “Cheer Teams,” each with a unique name, but all with the intention of facilitating and fostering Columbia College spirit and a thriving campus life.
Current Columbia College Instructional Designer Holly Sawyers will serve as the Head Cheerleading Coach for the Koalas in the Fall. Holly brings with her a lifetime of cheerleading experience ranging from Pop Warner at age 8 to professional cheer as an adult. Her expertise is sure to set the Columbia College Cheerleading Program up for a successful first season and prosperous future.
“The friends I cheered with in college are still my best friends. Of course, I’m excited to add to the talent of Columbia College Athletics, but to be a part of building a new community here on campus is a dream come true. Cheerleading will offer a new opportunity for Koalas to get involved in the surrounding community while supporting and adding to the culture surrounding our current athletic offerings,” said Sawyers when asked what excited her most about this new opportunity for Columbia College.
The recruitment process has already begun, so if you or someone you know is interested in being a part of this exciting time in Koala Athletics, please contact Holly Sawyers at 803.786.3585.
Coach Sawyers will also be hosting Virtual Tryouts from June 24 through July 3 as well as an in-person tryout on Sunday, July 7 in the Godbold Center for incoming freshmen and transfers. Fall tryouts are tentatively planned to be held in August once school begins.
Please send tryout videos to Coach Sawyers at hsawyers@columbiasc.edu.