Bound by Spirit, Driven by Heart: The Champions Behind Hokie Pride
At Lane Stadium, under the golden sweep of autumn skies, the roar of 66,000 voices lifts into the air—but before a single touchdown is scored or a whistle blown, the spark that ignites Hokie Nation comes from the Virginia Tech Cheer and Dance Teams. They are not merely performers in glittering uniforms. They are the pulse of the crowd, the soul of the sideline, and the quiet champions whose strength and unity make every game day unforgettable.
For head cheer coach Allison Harper, now in her twelfth season, building this spirit machine has meant more than choreographing tumbles and stunts. “We train like athletes because we are athletes,” she says, standing amid her squad’s early morning warmups in Cassell Coliseum. “We just don’t have a scoreboard.” Yet, if there were a scoreboard for spirit, determination, and impact, Virginia Tech Cheer and Dance would be undefeated national champions.
Every practice is a crucible. Seven a.m. starts, high-pressure lifts, and exhausting routines set to the heavy beats of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” — all mastered with precision. The Dance Team, led by senior captain Elena Morales, mirrors this intensity. “We’re not just here to dance; we tell the story of Virginia Tech pride,” Morales says. “It’s like carrying the hopes of every student, alumni, and fan on your back — with a smile.”
But behind the polished smiles and dazzling performances is a story of resilience. Last fall, just weeks before the Clemson game, the Cheer Team’s lead flyer, sophomore Jessi Lang, broke her wrist during a complex basket toss. Rather than withdrawing, Lang returned in a bright orange cast, working the sidelines as a motivator, choreographer, and spirit leader from the ground. Her voice led crowd chants as thousands rallied for a thrilling overtime victory, with Head Coach Brent Pry crediting the energy of “the loudest Hokie crowd all season” as a game-changer.
Both teams are integral to more than just football Saturdays. At basketball games in Cassell, wrestling matches in Rector Field House, and spring soccer showdowns, their presence is constant and passionate. The cheerleaders’ iconic “Let’s Go, Hokies!” echoes across sports. The Dance Team’s halftime performances, blending hip-hop and jazz precision, have gone viral on social media platforms, amassing millions of views and drawing national attention to Blacksburg.
The university recognizes their unsung role. This spring, Athletic Director Whit Babcock announced an unprecedented expansion of scholarship opportunities for spirit squad members — the first in school history — citing their “critical importance to the complete Virginia Tech athletic experience.”
But perhaps their most enduring victory comes not from national titles or ESPN highlights but from unity. At the annual “Spirit Champions Banquet,” team members speak of lifelong friendships, personal growth, and a rare bond forged from lifting each other—literally and figuratively. “You trust someone to catch you 20 feet in the air,” Morales smiles. “That changes you forever.”
Bound by spirit and driven by heart, the Virginia Tech Cheer and Dance Teams are more than performers. They are Hokie Nation’s secret weapon: tireless, fearless, and forever champions of unity.
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