Today we’d like to introduce you to Cory Hines.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cory. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I’m currently going on my 5th as the head coach of Florida international university’s cheerleading program. Being a former cheerleader and assistant coach for the team the entire program was near to my heart. I entered into my first year with 12 cheerleaders, the program having been dropped from athletics due to budgeting and poor representation and basically had to rebuild a program that I loved.
It’s taken time, sacrifice, humility, hard training, comprise and definitely some patience, but we are now an integral part of the university’s athletics marketing department. In addition to being an asset to the university, we also began competing at the collegiate national championship held annually, and in the three years we’ve competed we have placed top three in a division with 15 other D1 schools.
At the current course, I hope to continue creating a stronger program that recognizes my kids as athletes and gives other young athletes something to aspire to.
Has it been a smooth road?
Being taken seriously by our administration and other student-athletes. Running a quality program on a modest budget. Convincing talent to stay local when there are scholarship opportunities elsewhere.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the FIU Cheerleading story.
We are at the core of “Spirit” for our University and athletics program. In addition to cheering football and both men’s and women’s basketball, we are requested on a weekly basis to act as ambassadors for the university at appearances both on campus and around our community.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I would love to see more recognition for the time and energy we spend supporting others and also doing what we love. While full scholarships may be far fetched I would love to see meal plans, student housing and additional perks for my kids.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.fiuspirit.com
- Email: fiuspiritprogram@gmail.com
- Instagram: Fiucheer
- Facebook: Fiucheer
- Twitter: Fiucheer
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