Responsible for assisting the spirit coordinator with teaching, coaching, advising and mentoring student-athletes on the team in accordance with governing body (if applicable) and university rules and regulations while: 1) creating an atmosphere where graduation is facilitated through participation in intercollegiate athletics, 2) teaching student-athletes to be productive citizens who contribute to society for life, and 3) winning championships. The primary responsibility of the position is teaching effectively in practice and competition, with an emphasis on providing additional individual instruction to student-athletes in how to perform their sport. Secondary to that primary responsibility, the position also assists the spirit coordinator with: 1) recruiting, 2) promoting an atmosphere of compliance and student-athlete academic performance, 3) scheduling and budget management, 4) fundraising, 5) program organization, 6) teaching life skills to student-athletes and, 7) engaging the university and local community by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities. The assistant cheerleading coach must have a philosophy that maintains a competitive program that values the educational and personal well-being of its student-athletes while emphasizing the university and athletics department mission, vision, core values and culture.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Game-Day Environment – Assist the spirit coordinator with coordinating the activities of the cheerleaders and mascot during athletics competitions to create an exciting game environment for fans. Assist with in-game promotions as necessary in conjunction with athletics department external affairs staff.
Student Fan Group – Assist the spirit coordinator with the coordination of the student fan group by coordinating membership recruitment and leadership; resource acquisition and expenditure; and pregame, in-game and postgame activities of the student fan group.
Practice and Competition – Assist the spirit coordinator with teaching student-athletes the techniques and tactics of the sport, demonstrating techniques of the sport, evaluating student-athlete and team performance, teaching and engaging student-athletes in appropriate strength and conditioning techniques, developing practice and competition plans.
Recruiting and Retention – Assist the spirit coordinator with efforts to recruit and retain prospective student-athletes who are: admissible to the university, good citizens who will represent the program well, motivated to graduate from Drury and excellent athletes in the sport.
Compliance – Promote an atmosphere of compliance for everyone who is directly and indirectly associated with the sport, comply with governing body and university rules and regulations.
Student-Athlete Academic Performance – Support student-athlete graduation by: monitoring student-athlete academic performance; implementing appropriate study hall, class checking and grade checking programs; partnering with faculty, tutors, mentors, advisors and other university staff to support the academic performance of student-athletes; and implementing appropriate practice and competition limitations as needed for student-athletes who are not performing adequately in the classroom.
Budget – Assist the spirit coordinator with managing the budget so the program functions within the operating budget allocated by the university and any money raised to supplement the operating budget.
Fundraising – Collaborate with athletics department and advancement staff for fundraising events and promotional activities, secure donations needed to supplement the sport operating budget as necessary.
Student-Athlete Development – Supplement the education student-athletes receive in the classroom by teaching them life skills that will help them be productive citizens for life, support student-athlete development programming conducted by the athletics department and university.
Job Summary:
Responsible for assisting the spirit coordinator with teaching, coaching, advising and mentoring student-athletes on the team in accordance with governing body (if applicable) and university rules and regulations while: 1) creating an atmosphere where graduation is facilitated through participation in intercollegiate athletics, 2) teaching student-athletes to be productive citizens who contribute to society for life, and 3) winning championships. The primary responsibility of the position is teaching effectively in practice and competition, with an emphasis on providing additional individual instruction to student-athletes in how to perform their sport. Secondary to that primary responsibility, the position also assists the spirit coordinator with: 1) recruiting, 2) promoting an atmosphere of compliance and student-athlete academic performance, 3) scheduling and budget management, 4) fundraising, 5) program organization, 6) teaching life skills to student-athletes and, 7) engaging the university and local community by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities. The assistant cheerleading coach must have a philosophy that maintains a competitive program that values the educational and personal well-being of its student-athletes while emphasizing the university and athletics department mission, vision, core values and culture.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Game-Day Environment – Assist the spirit coordinator with coordinating the activities of the cheerleaders and mascot during athletics competitions to create an exciting game environment for fans. Assist with in-game promotions as necessary in conjunction with athletics department external affairs staff.
Student Fan Group – Assist the spirit coordinator with the coordination of the student fan group by coordinating membership recruitment and leadership; resource acquisition and expenditure; and pregame, in-game and postgame activities of the student fan group.
Practice and Competition – Assist the spirit coordinator with teaching student-athletes the techniques and tactics of the sport, demonstrating techniques of the sport, evaluating student-athlete and team performance, teaching and engaging student-athletes in appropriate strength and conditioning techniques, developing practice and competition plans.
Recruiting and Retention – Assist the spirit coordinator with efforts to recruit and retain prospective student-athletes who are: admissible to the university, good citizens who will represent the program well, motivated to graduate from Drury and excellent athletes in the sport.
Compliance – Promote an atmosphere of compliance for everyone who is directly and indirectly associated with the sport, comply with governing body and university rules and regulations.
Student-Athlete Academic Performance – Support student-athlete graduation by: monitoring student-athlete academic performance; implementing appropriate study hall, class checking and grade checking programs; partnering with faculty, tutors, mentors, advisors and other university staff to support the academic performance of student-athletes; and implementing appropriate practice and competition limitations as needed for student-athletes who are not performing adequately in the classroom.
Budget – Assist the spirit coordinator with managing the budget so the program functions within the operating budget allocated by the university and any money raised to supplement the operating budget.
Fundraising – Collaborate with athletics department and advancement staff for fundraising events and promotional activities, secure donations needed to supplement the sport operating budget as necessary.
Student-Athlete Development – Supplement the education student-athletes receive in the classroom by teaching them life skills that will help them be productive citizens for life, support student-athlete development programming conducted by the athletics department and university.
Community Engagement – Promote a positive image of the programs and the university by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities; maintain positive relations with various media outlets, community groups, university departments and athletics department staff members.
Sports Camps – Assist the spirit coordinator with the organization and implementation of sports camps as desired by the spirit coordinator.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities:
An understanding of, and commitment to the fundamental role that intercollegiate athletics, when properly implemented, can play in the educational development of Drury student-athletes
Possession of a basic knowledge of cheerleading, a basic understanding of coaching strategies, and an ability to enhance student-athlete development
Ability to recruit qualified student-athletes to an academically competitive institution
Knowledge of and commitment to the applicable governing body rules
Ability to handle stressful situations in a professional manner
Ability to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program and monitor the activities of individuals directly and indirectly involved with the program
Ability to work successfully with other departments and constituency groups on campus and in the community
Ability to motivate and develop student-athletes academically and athletically
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Commitment to working with multicultural populations and an awareness of issues affecting women, minorities and international student-athletes
Ability to work evening and weekend hours
Ability to travel for work-related activities (e.g., competitions and recruiting)
Attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of the big picture
Strong organizational skills resulting in the ability to prioritize workload and meet short-term deadlines on a regular basis
Strong written and verbal communications skills
Ability to assist the spirit coordinator with managing competition scheduling and budgets, fundraising and teaching life skills to student-athletes
Proficiency with appropriate computer applications and general office equipment and software
Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree
One year of experience teaching and coaching cheerleading
Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Physical Requirements:
Regularly required to stand and talk or hear.
Frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
Occasionally required to sit.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.