The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Cheerleaders Featured On Varsity.com
10/14/2008 | Athletics
Spirit Teams Cheer at Presidential Debates
By Andrea Tatum, Varsity.com
With Election Day just weeks away, the Democratic and Republican campaign trails are heating up, and the University of Mississippi, Belmont University, and Hofstra University are catching some of the fire.
As these universities agreed to host the three presidential debates, their cheerleaders and dancers prepared to be a part of history in the making.
Having television stations, newscasters, political analysts, and the two presidential candidates roll into their territory, the spirit teams knew they would be involved in everything from performances to pre-debate activities.
The first and perhaps the most controversial debate hit the University of Mississippi (aka Ole Miss) on September 26, and the big question was: would there be or wouldn't there be? Unpredictably, a debate did take place, and the Ole Miss cheerleading squad was ready for it.
Ole Miss Athletic Department's Spirit Coordinator, Amanda Hoppert, says the Ole Miss campus was transformed that day. "When I came to 'The Grove,' the center of our campus, on Friday morning, it was crazy how they had changed it for all the different media outlets and events that were going to take place. There were speakers, and tents, and banners everywhere," she says.
The CBS Early Show filmed outside of the school's union on Friday morning of the debate, and the cheerleaders were asked to be the highlight of the show.
At 6:45 a.m., the squad rallied in front of the crowd performing dances, stunts, and their ever-famous cheer, "Hotty Toddy." Amanda says it was an experience of a lifetime.
She explains, "There were people of all ages there wanting to get on TV, so people were pushing their way to the front. They got upset when the cheerleaders were moved to the front for the second half of the show."
Cheerleader, Mel Young, says, "I have been cheering at Ole Miss for two years now, and that experience was simply amazing. I made it back to my house in time to watch it air, and I was so excited!"
Click here for complete story.