ESPN REPORT: Tech Competitive Cheer Makes History as #1 Cheerleading Program in College Football
Orlando, FL — In a groundbreaking moment that will be remembered for generations, the Tech Competitive Cheer team has been officially recognized as the #1 cheerleading program in college football after their commanding performance at the 2025 National Cheerleading Championships. Held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, the event marked a historic achievement not only for the team but for the evolution of collegiate cheerleading as a premier competitive sport.
The Tech Cheer squad, representing a university long known for academic and athletic excellence, delivered a near-flawless routine that blended athletic precision, powerful stunts, and synchronized energy. Their final score shattered previous records and stunned judges, spectators, and competitors alike. In a category long dominated by powerhouse programs, Tech’s rise to the top has been nothing short of meteoric.
Head Coach Tara Simmons, in her ninth season with Tech, could hardly contain her pride: “This moment has been years in the making. Our team trained through every challenge—injuries, schedule crunches, and the pressure of rising expectations. Today, they proved they are not only the best in the country but the best in the history of college cheer.”
What sets this victory apart is not just the title, but what it represents. Tech becomes the first university in its conference to secure the national title in cheerleading, disrupting a decade-long streak held by perennial favorites such as Alabama and Florida State. Their routine, titled “Legends Rise,” was a high-octane tribute to the history of college football and the role cheerleaders have played in rallying teams and igniting fans.
The program’s ascension has mirrored a broader shift in how cheerleading is perceived in collegiate athletics. Once seen largely as a sideline activity, competitive cheer has evolved into a demanding, high-performance discipline combining elements of gymnastics, dance, and acrobatics. With national television coverage, scholarship opportunities, and now historic wins like this, cheerleading is claiming its rightful place on the varsity sports stage.
Alumni and fans have responded with overwhelming pride, flooding social media with the team’s highlight reels and tributes. Tech’s university president issued a proclamation declaring April 30th “Tech Cheer Victory Day,” while the cheer team has been invited to perform at the upcoming College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Senior co-captain Alyssa Monroe, whose final tumbling pass received a standing ovation, summed up the moment: “We’ve always believed we were capable of greatness. Today, we didn’t just cheer for our team—we made history.”
With this win, Tech Competitive Cheer cements its legacy as not only the current leader but a new benchmark for excellence in college cheerleading. As the sport continues to grow in recognition and respect, their triumph will be remembered as a defining moment—when one team changed the game forever.
