University of Kentucky cheerleading squad
The University of Kentucky cheerleading squad, representing the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, has won the Universal Cheerleaders Association National College Cheerleading Championship twenty-four times.[1]
UK's eight-year streak of championships was broken in 2003 when they finished runner-up to the University of Central Florida. They regained the title in January of 2004 and won their third straight in 2006. The University of Central Florida regained the championship in 2007 when UK finished in third place. But the next year, UK came home with their 16th title. The University of Alabama broke Kentucky's win streak in 2011. But the following year, UK came home with their 19th title. In 2013, the University of Memphis defeated UK. UK's most recent victory was in 2019, marking the squad's first three-peat since the 2008-2010 three-peat.
Hazing scandal
In 2020, the University of Kentucky cheerleading scandal involved the 24-time National Cheerleading Champions the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad. The scandal was the result of various reports of hazing, public nudity and use of alcoholic drinks. Head coach Jomo Thompson was fired along with assistant cheerleading coaches Spenser Clan, Ben Head and Kelsey LaCroix while longtime advisor T. Lynn Williamson retired.[2][3] In the aftermath, over 800 former Kentucky cheerleaders issued a statement in support of the coaches.[4]
See also
References
- Peck, Jared (January 20, 2019). "UK cheerleaders continue their dominance with a 24th national title". Lexington Herald-Leader.
- Hale, Jon (May 20, 2020). "What you need to know about Kentucky's cheerleading hazing investigation". The Courier-Journal.
- Childress, Rick; Chisenhall, Jeremy (May 18, 2020). "Kentucky fires Jomo Thompson, cheer team coaches after nudity, hazing investigation". Lexington Herald-Leader.
- "Kentucky cheerleading alumni back fired coaches". ESPN.com. May 22, 2020.