J.C. Smith Luv-A-Bulls qualify for national championships

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Cheerleading has come a long way since the "rah rah rah" days of the past. And cheerleaders like Johnson C. Smith University's very own "Luv-A-Bulls" are paving the way for other historically black institutions to take the national spotlight.

J.C. Smith Luv-A-Bulls

The Luv-A-Bulls posted their second consecutive first place finish in the Spirit Routine Competition at the Annual National Cheerleading Association (NCA) Camp held August 20th in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Luv-A-Bulls were also awarded the overall camp Spirit Award for the second year in a row. This award is voted on by the 25 squads in attendance and given to the team displaying the most spirit, energy and enthusiasm throughout the camp.

The victory qualified JCSU for their second trip to the NCA Championships, making them the only CIAA entry. The championship is the world's largest collegiate cheerleading competition and draws 3,000 cheerleaders from all over the U.S. to Daytona Beach, Florida. The event will be televised nationally by CBS broadcast network in Summer 2001.

The Luv-A-Bulls' cheerleading coach, Ayanna McClendon, is the ringleader of this outstanding team. A native of Charlotte, NC, McLendon's success in cheerleading began with her admirable performances as a varsity cheerleader at Barber-Scotia College in Concord, NC. After coaching at Independence High School for two years, she was given the task of transforming the squad at JCSU...and did she ever! Now entering her fifth year with the program, McClendon feels very positive as a result of the NCA camp.

Coach Ayanna McLendon,

"I have a very young team returning this year, so I used the NCA camp to prepare my cheerleaders for the season ahead and national competitions. NCA camp provides the team with new and innovative ideas and techniques that enhance our skills and performances. It's great being the first CIAA school to get a bid to the national championships. I hope that we can set a trend for the other schools in our conference"...

"Many people look at cheerleading as just jumping around and yelling for our team, but it's much more. It takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication to reach the level that we have achieved as the JCSU Luv-A-Bulls," said Luv-A-Bulls' captain Shannon Kemmer.

"Being a cheerleader is not an easy thing to do," suggests JCSU athletic director Dr. Catherine Wright. "Being a cheerleader means that you have to be physically fit and ready to perform with consistency. Our cheerleaders add to the whole idea of competition, sportsmanship, and they bolster the image of the University."

"I feel they serve as positive role models on and off the court," said sophomore biology major Rebecca Anderson. "These ladies bring a bit of sunshine to the Golden Bull campus. On the court they look and act professional, with every routine precise and accurate. I feel these ladies are doing a very good job at being Luv-A-Bulls."

In a time when school spirit on college campuses can be somewhat lackluster, one can definitely count on JCSU's Luv-A-Bulls to hype the crowd.

For more information log on to the Luv-A-Bulls' website at home.jcsu.edu/luvabulls.

Johnson C. Smith University is a member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). CIAA was founded in 1912 and is the second oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States. It is comprised of 12 historically black colleges and universities, and this season the CIAA celebrates its 55th anniversary. The CIAA is home to the largest event in NCAA Division II athletics, and is the third largest tournament in college basketball at any level.

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