Spirit Squads Adjust to Leading from the Stands

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee's Spirit Squads are displaying unity while leading from the stands in Neyland Stadium this fall.

With Southeastern Conference COVID-19 regulations in place to protect all student-athletes and staff members, the cheer and dance teams are electing to display gratefulness for the opportunity to cheer for the Vols this football season, even if it's not from the sidelines.

"The cheer team was extremely excited to be back in Neyland Stadium," head cheer coach Chelsea Bowlin said, "Even though it's in the stands and not on the field. It looks a lot different this year, but we're all grateful to be inside of Neyland cheering, leading the crowd and raising the spirit of the fans."

The SEC has navigated unique circumstances to allow for fall athletics this year, and the spirit teams are not taking that for granted.

"It's such a blessing to be able to be back in Neyland, because we were so uncertain of what was going to happen," sophomore dancer Gracie Fontaine said. "Even though it's different, the whole dance team was excited. It has been amazing to see how the freshmen have adjusted so quickly. They're talented, smart and have done a great job. It's so exciting to be back in Neyland, and we're feeling really blessed because a lot of other teams aren't getting to do that right now."

The reigning Division 1A Game Day National Champion cheer team has reinvented its routines on Saturdays this season. Finding new ways to interact with and galvanize the fans has been a main focus.

"When we're doing Rocky Top and the Vols spell-out, we're used to seeing the fans stand up and do it with us," Bowlin said. "Now, leading from the stands, we actually face the field and we don't see the fans as much as we're used to. We're learning how to turn our signs around and cheer to the field and to the players, as opposed to cheering to the 100,000 fans that are typically in the stadium."

Senior cheer member Anthony Oakley elaborated on that sentiment.

"I think the skills required of us from what we did on the field to what we do in the stands is very different," Oakley said. "On a regular gameday, we usually do pyramids, baskets and stunts. Now that we're in the stands, we're using more cheers and dances to engage the crowd."

For junior dancer Gentry Hopkins, the adjustments made by the reigning Division 1A Pom National Champions are helping to increase the spirit provided by the dance team.

"I think our biggest challenge has been changing where we're projecting," Hopkins said. "Usually, we're looking up at all of the fans, projecting and facing our signs toward them, while getting their follow. We've had to change that to where we are still getting crowd interaction from the space that we're in. We try to face to the side and interact with as many people as possible, using our signs, flags, poms and dances.

"I think as we come across as a united front—both cheer, dance and even the band—it makes it a lot more like the old times."
KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.10.24 - Tennessee vs. Alabama

KNOXVILLE, TN - 2020.10.24 - Tennessee vs. Alabama

Leading up to the football season, the Spirit Squads were led by confident coaching staffs who prepared them for the adjustments that would be made.

"Together as a spirit staff, we were really united in that our job isn't any different," head dance coach Kelley Tafazzoli said. "We're still there to engage with the fans and be a part of the spirit-raising by leading the crowd. It's just going to look really different. Even though the preparation was really unique and changed from day-to-day, they still knew that the core of what they were doing was still going to be the same."

With only about 22 percent of the normal stadium capacity for Tennessee football games in attendance this season, the dance team has been mindful of how to make its presence felt.

"We have to be 10 times bigger," senior dance Haley Mañalac said. "(We have to be) 10 times sharper and even more excited, to get Neyland loud. Usually, we can face the fans and see their reactions, but we can't really see that now. We have to be more on top of our game than ever."

The cheer team has embraced the "new normal" for this season, taking Bowlin's advice of making the best of the situation.

"The cameras definitely have a lot less to be showing, with there being a lower number of fans," senior cheerleader Lexi O'Haver said. "So, they come to us a lot more. We have to be on our 'A-game.' We get to see a lot more of the little kids coming up to us in the stands. It's been easier to make their day and spend more time with them."

With increased attention on the Spirit Squads, an increase in poise has been displayed as well.

"We have to try to project our energy into the camera when you have a mask on, since no can see your facial expressions," Fontaine said. "We use our bodies to get as much power out as we can. We know we have to make our moves 10 times bigger in a smaller space. We want the best look for the University of Tennessee dance team and for Tennessee in general. We want our school to look the best out of all the SEC schools.

"We want to represent the 'T' at the highest standard, because that's how it should be."

The move to the stands means standing out from thousands of orange-clad Vol fans has been a focal point for the Spirit Squads.

"Visually, we've had to get creative," Tafazzoli said. "How can we make ourselves stand out in the crowd? We traditionally wear orange, but in order for us to stand out, cheer has worn white and dance has worn black so that we stand out in a sea of orange. That's a great problem to have."

The cheer and dance teams have come together this fall, working hand in hand to provide the best gameday experience possible. The teams are united in their efforts to engage with Vol Nation on Saturdays and bring excellent effort while cheering on the Big Orange.

"With 100,000 people or 20,000 people, the experience is still going to be insane," Hopkins said. "You're in Neyland with the football team playing and the band playing. You're dancing with your friends. No matter how many fans there are, we're still trying to recreate that same experience."

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Gracie Fontaine

Gentry Hopkins

Lexi O'Haver

Anthony Oakley

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