Mississippi State University Cheerleaders
The Mississippi State University cheering squad is a part of the varsity's
Spirit Groups program. It is comprised of
the co-ed, all-girl, pom-pom squads and the university mascot. There are eight to twelve couples in the co-ed squad.
They cheer at all the football games and in the men's basket ball games played at home. The all-girl squad is
comprised of 20 cheerleaders who cheer at all the home football, women's basketball and
volleyball games. The
members from the two squads are eligible for the Nationals Team to participate in national level cheering
competitions. The pom squad consists of 16 girls who perform during football games played at home and all home men's
and some women's basketball games along with several fund-raising events. The MSU cheerleaders attend regular
practice sessions set by their head coach, Melissa Nichols. The Mississippi State University has six Bully mascots
in their Spirit Groups program.
The MSU cheerleaders have participated and won several national level cheer competitions. The all girl squad won the
one first place in the sideline and cheer competition at UCA/UDA
College Spirit camp in 2007 and in 2011 came in
third place. In 2011 the co-ed squad won the second place in the cheer and sideline competitions at the UCA/UDA
College Spirit camps. 2011-2012 began their preparation for the season this past July. In 2010 the coed team had its
best finish ever, placing 6th at the UCA/UDA
College Nationals. The pom squad participated in UDA College Nationals
in Orlando, Florida in 2010, and finished 19th, a first for the MSU in this category. They are looking forward to
participating in the competitions next year and improve their rankings.
Most noted cheerleaders from the co-ed squad are Heather Pitman and Rudy Rumbarger. While from the all-girl squad
there is Sarah Hough, Lauren Enstrom, Natalie Buchanan and Whitely Rodenbaugh.
Apart from the usual side line and half time cheering as well as competitive events, the MSU cheerleaders take part
in alumni events and other social and public events.