Cheerleading Added to Columbia College Athletics

Inaugural Season to Begin in Fall 2024

COLUMBIA, S.C. - With the recent growth and development of Koala Athletics, Director of Athletics Glen Crawford is thrilled to announce the addition of Cheerleading to the College's robust and steadily growing athletic program to begin in the Fall of 2024. 

"Over the last several decades, cheerleading has quickly taken the world of athletics by storm, and Columbia College is excited to see the impact the sport can have on our campus," Crawford shared. "With our history of success and ever-evolving athletic program, we know that our student body will benefit from the added athletic opportunity as well as the boost to our school spirit!"

The first Columbia College Cheerleading squad appears in the 1975 Columbian (the Columbia College Annual Publication), declaring a mission of "bringing added spirit to basketball games."

Throughout its history, Columbia College has housed a number of "Spirit Squads" and "Cheer Teams," each with a unique name, all with the intention of fostering Columbia College spirit and campus life.

Current Columbia College Instructional Designer Holly Sawyers will serve as the inaugural Head Cheerleading Coach for the Koalas in the Fall. Holly brings with her a lifetime of cheerleading experience ranging from age 8 to professional cheer as an adult. Her expertise is sure to set the Columbia College Cheerleading Program up for a successful first season and exciting future.

"Of course, I'm excited to add to the talent of Columbia College Athletics as the friends I cheered with in college are still my best friends today," said Sawyers when asked what excited her most about this new opportunity for Columbia College. "To be a part of building a new community here on campus is a dream come true. Cheerleading will offer a new opportunity for Koalas to get involved in the surrounding community while supporting and adding to the culture along with our current athletic offerings." 

The recruitment process has already begun, so if you or someone you know is interested in being a part of this exciting time in Koala Athletics, please contact Holly Sawyers at 803.786.3585.

Coach Sawyers will also be hosting Virtual Tryouts through July 19 . Fall tryouts are tentatively planned to be held in August once school begins.

Please send tryout videos to Coach Sawyers at hsawyers@columbiasc.edu and fill out the registration form here