Courtside Chant: How do Cheer Squads fuel school spirit

AS ARENAS fills with crowds dressed in green, yellow, blue, and other school colors, it marks the return of sports conferences. Collegiate sporting events are loved by many, as their athletes carry the name of the schools they represent.

Unlike professional leagues, which often attract niche audiences, collegiate leagues like the UAAP and NCAA offer something more: school spirit. The pride of being one with the community as they collectively chant their iconic cheers creates an electrifying atmosphere uniting them.

The Heart of the Crowd

The pep and cheer squads are leading the charge in fostering school spirit, bringing their spunky energy to the sidelines. With bright smiles, rhythmic drum beats, and intoxicating cheers, these squads will surely get their colorful and lively energy from start to finish.

Cheer squads are the backbone of school spirit, and becoming part of the squad requires dedication and hard work. Have you ever wondered who the voices are behind the iconic DLSU Chant? Gabriel Jose Paredes from DLSU has been a Yell Commander for the Animo Squad for two years; before collegiate cheer, he was also a member of the DLSU IS pep squad in senior high school.

Leading the pack for UST are the Yellow Jackets, their official pep squad, and drumline, who are always ready to play the ever-so-famous UST cheers. Adriane Sudla, who has been a part of the UST Yellow Jackets (USTYJ) since 2019, shared that he had no prior experience in cheering or drumming; everything he learned about cheering came from the UST Yellow Jackets. He explained that previous experience is not required, which encouraged him to become part of this esteemed organization.

Taking the leap

Being a pep squad member was not something Gabby initially thought he would do, “Before college, I did not see myself as a cheerleader. Although I am passionate about watching and cheering during sporting events—especially during my grade school and high school years cheering for the Green Archers, I always thought I would only be a part of the audience or the green crowd. However, being a cheerleader and committing to it was an unexpected but pleasant surprise and one that I do not regret.” He shared that a big part of his commitment to the craft is rooted in his unwavering support for La Salle.

Adriane’s journey to becoming a USTYJ took time and perseverance, “In my junior high school years, I never envisioned myself cheering for UST. It only became a thought when I went to UST in senior high school, where I first learned about the UST Yellow Jackets. I was so curious about their group, and it made me want to join them then, but my classmates told me I couldn’t because they only accepted college students. Therefore, I told myself that the moment I stepped into college, I would not pass the opportunity to be part of USTYJ.” 

Both Gabby and Adriane shared that their respective squads always strive to show up and cheer for their student-athletes regardless of the sport. 

Gabby explained that the Animo Squad does its best to connect the audiences to the team by cheering their hardest, loudest, and proudest at every match. “The Animo Squad expresses support for DLSU athletes by first showing up and cheering for them during their respective sporting events. We make sure to cheer for them, whether through victories or losses. We strive to keep energies high from both the audience and the athletes themselves. As fellow athletes, we also befriend and get to know some of the other athletes. We find that this helps us cheer for them better as we know the athlete we are cheering for. The Animo Sqquad also performs routines during events such as Animo Rallies, Year End Thanksgiving Celebrations, and the like.” he explains.

Adriane echoed a similar sentiment, emphasizing the importance of preparing beforehand,  “The USTYJ expresses support for the athletes through attending and cheering for all of their games. Even if there are multiple sports/events in a single day, we will ensure enough USTYJ members attend and support the athletes. Whether drumming or chanting, the USTYJ will be here to cheer and support our athletes until the end.”

Redefining school spirit

To be the promoters of cheer, the two athletes weighed in on what school spirit means to them. They both shared that school spirit is about taking pride in their school and the community they represent.

Gabby believes that school spirit for Lasallians is about embodying the Animo, “To have school spirit or the Animo means sharing a common identity among Lasallians and representing our Alma Mater through pride and excellence. The Animo Squad embodies the school spirit by being the prime example and leader of having pride to be a part of the green and white…Whether we win or lose, we show that we are proud of our university. Our uniforms themselves carry the name of the school and our namesake highlights the school spirit or the Animo.”

Adriane highlighted that UST’s school spirit is rooted in the university’s core values and collective pride. “For me, school spirit is all about the pride of the school. It is something a group of people is doing collectively for their alma mater, such as wearing the same colored shirt during UAAP games or proudly chanting their university cheers. The USTYJ embodies it by constantly applying the Thomasian Core Values in everything we do, from cheering to drumming.” he shares.

Balancing Books and Cheers

Although often showing bright smiles and energy, being a cheerleader is not a walk in the park. As student-athletes, they are firm that academics come first. 

Gabby, who stepped into responsibility as a co-captain of the squad, admitted that juggling tasks can be quite daunting. “One of the biggest challenges that I had to overcome as a member and co-captain of the squad was balancing academics, the cheer dance competition, creating and assisting with halftime performances, and keeping responsibilities as a co-captain.” While challenging, he acknowledges that these responsibilities come with the role he has embraced.

Adriane shared a similar experience, noting that the commitment to supporting every match can make academics hard to manage, “The biggest challenge I have faced and will be facing until I am a pep squad member is balancing my life as a student-athlete. The UAAP holds numerous sports and events throughout the year. Because the USTYJ is committed to attending and supporting every athlete in every event, sometimes it is hard to make some time for my academics.” he adds.

Both believe it is all about finding balance to ensure that they present their best and most disciplined selves each game. 

Looking Beyond

Now that the UAAP is back in full swing, there is much to look forward to in each match. Beyond the mainstream sports, Gabby, Adriane, and their squads are all fired up to promote school spirit across all events.

Gabby shared that he and the Animo Squad are excited for their upcoming competitions and performances, “What I am looking forward to the most would be the different sporting events to come. The UAAP is not just basketball or volleyball. There are a lot of sports and athletes that the Animo Squad can support and cheer for. I am also looking forward to future Cheerdance Competitions by training myself and improving for competitions.” he shares.

Adriane and the USTYJ remain steadfast in showing up and giving their best energy to lead the sea of yellow in the upcoming matches. “Now that the UAAP is back, our group is looking forward to giving our best to uplift and boost the pride and morale of all our athletes in every game with the hopes for UST to win most, if not all, of the remaining games for the rest of the school year.” he exclaims.

As collegiate fans continue to rally behind their respective schools, it’s essential to recognize the unsung heroes—the cheerleaders—who tirelessly devote themselves to igniting school spirit in every game.

With reports from Samantha Vidal