Aug. 28, 2003
Competitive cheerleading will become University of Maryland's newest varsity sport during the 2003-04 academic year, making the Terrapins' program one of the few nationally granted varsity status.
Under the direction of former Maryland cheerleaders Lura Fleece and Jarnell Bonds, the Terrapins' all-female competitive cheer team will commence a 10-competition schedule in December and conclude with an appearance at the national championships in Daytona Beach in early April. The national championships are televised annually by CBS. The team will begin practice in mid-October.
In this inaugural year, the equivalent of four full scholarships will be available for a squad of approximately 25 student-athletes. An additional eight scholarships will be phased in over the course of the next two years, bringing to 12 the total number of scholarships awarded on an annual basis.
The competitive cheer team will be separate from the Terrapin's spirit squad, which will continue to cheer at football and basketball games and other events. The competitive cheer team will develop and practice routines that will include gymnastics and choreography.
About the Coaches
A pair of former Maryland cheerleaders, including the long-time director of the Terrapins' spirit squad, will guide the university's competitive cheerleading team in its inaugural season in 2003-04.
Lura Fleece has headed up the Terps' spirit squad, which provides cheerleading support at football and basketball games, for the past 12 seasons, leading the team to a national all-girl collegiate championship in 1999. She is a 1991 graduate of the university. Jarnell Bonds, a 2002 graduate of Maryland, cheered for four years at the collegiate level, helping the team to a national title in the all-girls division in 1999 and serving as the Terps' team captain in 2001. She served as a volunteer coach of the spirit squad the past two years.
Both Fleece and Bonds have extensive experience in competitive cheerleading as participants and coaches.
Fleece, a two-time NCA collegiate All-American, has managed state-wide after-school cheerleading programs, organized and coordinated cheer clinics and competitions, and choreographed routines for nationwide curriculum. Since 1999, she has been director of summer camps and competition coordinator for the Baltimore-based Spirit Unlimited Cheer and Dance Co.
Bonds has served as a summer camp instructor for youth and high school level cheerleaders on the East Coast and has been a competition manager for Spirit Unlimited.
Both previously spent time as members of the Baltimore Ravens cheerleading team.
