Fresno State School Spirit Unites

By Megan Morales
The Collegian Online

The Fresno state cheer squad, dance team and mascot will join forces next fall for one outstanding team of Bulldog pride.

While Fresno State has always shown passion, spirit and pride at sporting events through its dance and cheer teams and through its mascot, Timeout, this fall all three will collaborate with each other to create a unified Fresno State Spirit Squad.

Although the teams will be joining forces to create one large team of spirit, they will each still hold their individual role as a dancer, cheerleader and of course, Timeout will still be Timeout. The collaboration is an attempt to enhance the fan’s excitement and provide a more intense experience for the crowd.

Former Fresno State cheerleader Nichol Gagnon, will assume the position of Associate Head Coach of the cheer program and thinks the formation of a cohesive Spirit Squad is an idea that will benefit everyone involved.

“I feel that having these three teams as one will be a great addition to Fresno State,” Gagnon said. “We are all at Fresno State events to get the crowd pumped up, so it only makes sense to bring us together. With cheer, dance and Timeout as one, it will show our school spirit and our willingness to work together. We will also be able to showcase our amazing talent in a much larger aspect.”

Bringing the squads together as one is expected to present a better quality of entertainment at the athletic events, and ensure fans go home happy.

“I definitely think it will be beneficial to have these teams working together,” Gagnon said. “We will be able to put on better shows and impress the audience more. There will be more joint performances, which means there will be more to look at.”

In addition to the collaboration, a new scholarship, The Timeout Spirit Award, has been established and will be awarded to the students who portray Timeout.

The scholarship was developed by the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund of the Fresno State Alumni Association. Those receiving the annual $2,000 scholarship will be awarded for their performance as Timeout.

In a recent release from gobulldogs.com, founder of the Bulldog Pride Scholarship Fund Peter Robertson said he is thrilled about providing a scholarship that entails academic excellence as well as Fresno State pride.

Associate Athletics Director of External Relations Paul Ladwig said he sees great things for the future with the collaboration of teams.

“I am as excited as everyone else about this combination to enhance the spirit squad,” Ladwig said. “Having all the teams working together will only make our game day presentation better. With three quality coaches newly hired we will continue the excellence and professionalism of the Fresno State Cheer and Dance teams.”

As for becoming Timeout, Ladwig said there are two returning seniors who will receive the scholarship, and they are considering having a tryout for a third.

If applying for the position of the infamous mascot sounds like something you could see yourself doing, Ladwig said qualification requirements include, “energy, school spirit, ability to dance, work with others, love to entertain, love to be the show and great physical condition.”

With all excitement around the new plans, one can expect great things just as everyone involved does.

“This upcoming year will be awesome, we just had tryouts for the 2010-2011 team and we had so much talent that tried out,” Gagnon said. “We will be an amazing team!”