By: Manuel Polanco
Sitting by the lavish East Quad of Brooklyn College (BC), senior Maya Nicole ponders what comes next in her life.
A part of the Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge (SEEK) program at BC, Nicole majored in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy.
Her magnum opus at BC was her time spent as a BC cheerleader. “I did sideline cheerleading in high school, but that doesn’t come close to what cheering in college [is]. High school gave me my first taste of school spirit, and I knew this is something I wanted to keep doing,” shared Nicole.
Cheerleading is no sideline joke; the sport deals with high-intensity flips, tightly choreographed movements, and the ability to uplift the mood of any setting.
The BC cheerleaders are a staple of campus life, which is clearly evident if you have ever attended a BC sports game. The energy they give to both the attendees and players is unlike any other. Nicole was inspired to cheer by the cult-classic movie “Bring it On” starring Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union. This resulted in her looking up cheerleading videos online and watching a couple from cheerleading all-stars.
The BC cheer team has an amazing coaching staff, and Nicole credits them for inspiring her and striving to be better every day.
“We wouldn’t be here without them. If she didn’t believe us, we wouldn’t be here.”
Nicole joined the team during her freshman year of college, and like a caterpillar going through a metamorphosis, she shed her shyness and blossomed into a leader who not only inspired her fellow teammates but also gave back to the community.
“I was petrified at the thought of becoming cheer captain. I can’t lie. The responsibility was just something I felt like I couldn’t live up to at the time. My coaches and teammates, however, showed me I was in fact ready for that responsibility. It was a great honor to be cheer captain.”
Nicole recounts excitedly doing a heel click when she received the honor.
One of the highest honors for a BC cheerleader is participating in the UCA College Nationals, which is a tournament for collegiate cheerleaders across the country and documented on a live broadcast. Nationals take place in Florida, with teams unwinding at Disney World before going on the big stage.
Since joining the team, Nicole has participated in four national conventions and has taken home a medal each time.
She recounts the feelings she had before her first convention and how it didn’t hit until she landed in Florida.
“It felt like my inner child was achieving her goal, and I felt my love for cheer grow after competing,” said Nicole. “It was a little nerve-racking because these are live competitions, but doing it as a team was special. Seeing my teammates celebrate felt like it brought us together and encouraged me to keep going.”
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One of the most impactful things about the cheer team is that it is primarily made up of women of color, specifically Black women.
The BC cheer team works with Team Impact, a program that helps children with debilitating health conditions feel represented and included in sports. The cheer team has worked closely with young girls, helping them cheer and feel included in the Bulldog family.
“I feel like more teams should do it. It’s very heartwarming to see kids experience sports and feel included when they may not usually feel like it.” Nicole said.
After four years on the cheer team, Nicole has grown and experienced the ups and downs of life and grew stronger with each experience. When asked how she would want to be remembered for, she said her persistence. Whether it was healing from a cheer related injury or trying to better a cheer, giving up wasn’t on her agenda.
Her parting words for her remaining teammates are subtle but sweet: “ In times of turmoil, please remember you guys are not only a team but family. Lean on each other on days when you don’t feel 100%.”
For more information about the BC Cheer Team, check out their Instagram: @cunybrooklyncheerleading