The true lives of Southeast cheerleaders

It's October, and football season is in full bloom. While most fans watch the crunching hits and superhero-like plays on the field, the cheerleaders are on the side lines, pumping up the team spirit.

Theirs is a secret life of training and work, with schedules full and little personal time. They sweat it out outside the spotlight and stoically stand by as they become the brunt of jokes.

Two Southeast Missouri State University Cheerleaders, Alli Sachs and Stephen Jolley wrote about their everyday experiences for OFF! Magazine in the week leading up to the Sept. 24 game with Jacksonville State. They chronicled their mundane schedules and personal struggles, showing thier lives aren't like the ditzy party hounds and homosexual guys seen in movies and on TV. Here are their diaries:

Alli

Sunday

I like to go home and see my family or call them on the phone to catch up on what I missed at home. I call my grandma frequently to keep in touch even though we don't have much to say. Somehow we talk for an hour.

I tell her about my week and it is always so busy that it takes an hour to tell it all. I usually get all my grocery shopping done on the weekends.

Monday

Monday is somewhat my day to relax. I know it sounds weird but I only have three classes and work-outs at 4 p.m. I am feeling calm today and I am just like any other student, I have class and homework everyday. I have a night class right after workouts so I feel rushed and tense at the end of the workouts. I have to make sure that all of the cheerleaders are there on time and are doing workouts that prepare us to cheer.

We focus on toning and arm strength. Once again I had a great work out that made me feel refreshed. I do have down time and cheerleading does not take up all of my time.

Tuesday

I teach eighth and ninth grade at Jackson Junior High and work in the resource room on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This is a part of the field experience for the Special Education Blocks. I go there in the morning and leave to go straight to practice at 4 p.m. It is really rushed but I seem to pull it off every time. I think that the most important thing a collegiate athlete needs to have to succeed is time management. I try to plan out my days ahead of time so I don't get overwhelmed.

At practice our main goal is to prepare for the games. Cheerleading requires a lot of trust and our squad works well together and we all bring creative ideas to the table. It really helps when your can rely on your teammates to help pull you through the rough times.

Today I realized how I appreciate everyone's opinion, and I think that it is important to listen to their concerns. I love being captain but this year has required more from me than in the past years, and I am thankful for this squad because I know I can ask them to help. Sometimes I feel like I have too much responsibility for the squad. All of the concerns from the cheerleaders come my way and it can be stressful to deal with all of it. I know that there are problems in schedules and personal lives, but sometimes it seems as if it all hits at once.

Wednesday

Today was really stressful at school. I am glad that all of my homework is turned in and finished. It feels like a brick is lifted off of my shoulders. I felt relieved when I went to work out. Working out for me is a stress reliever. When you are doing cardio, you can let your mind drift and think about the day or you run with a group and have some of the best conversations.

It makes me feel like a new person in the sense that I did something for myself. Working out is my time to relax. You will be amazed at what you can do if you push yourself.

I have been trying to learn how to cook this year so I try to make dinners that require more than a microwave. I am a vegetarian so the whole meat thing is out. I replace meat with other protein sources such as peanuts, soy nuts, dairy, beans, etc. It isn't hard; I just have to make sure that I am eating healthy.

I wanted to discuss the amount of talent it takes to be a cheerleader on this level. You can't just join to join. It is surprising how much body control you must have in order to be a flyer. All of the girls on the coed squad are flyers and the all-girl squad takes turns. We all fly at one point and it is necessary that we control our bodies and minds.

It is scary to try things for the first time and we need to tell our bodies exactly what we want them to do. One little mistake and people can get seriously hurt. Cheerleading/gymnastics are the number one most dangerous sports for females. There are a lot of injuries and the height of the pyramids makes injuries a lot worse that they would be on the ground.

For all of those who think that just anyone can cheer, you better think twice before trying to maneuver 15 feet in the air. It takes a lot of practice and dedication to prepare our bodies and minds for these stunts.

Thursday

Today I taught at Jackson again and I really am getting a handle on what I am going to face when I graduate. On my way to practice I was thinking of all that we have to do to get ready for the game. It is getting close and the stress is settling in.

When I got home from practice, I noticed people staring at me. They know I am a cheerleader but I don't know if they know what all that entails. I usually have a CD player, cheerleading bag, purse, keys and a bottle of water. To the average eye, it looks like I am going to fall over because it is a lot of stuff. I am not sure what is running through their minds. I wish I could know exactly what they are thinking.

Most of my friends think it is really neat that I am a Southeast cheerleader. The only thing they say is "aren't you scared they will drop you?" When you are on the top layer of a pyramid, it can be intimidating and scary. Your teammates earn your trust and as long as everybody does their jobs, you will be caught. I am not scared that I will be dropped because I trust the team.

I can really tell that there is improvement since the last game. The cheerleaders have really been working hard and working well together. It seems that we pushed ourselves a little harder today because we are all feeling the stress of Saturday's game and we want to be prepared so we look good and are safe. There is a lot to prepare but everyone helps and it works well.

I have a boyfriend named Louie and we have been together for a pretty long time. I see him everyday and most of the time we eat together. I use him as the Guinea pig on my cooking. It all seems to work itself out time wise, but I don't know how. We both have so much going on and it is amazing how we find as much time as we do to see each other. I do go out on the weekends and sometimes during the week just like a regular person. College is supposed to be the best time of your life so I guess I should live it up.

Friday

Finally! Friday is here!!! I have two classes to go to and then I am free for the rest of the day. This is when I get the most done. Most people have classes that end at 3 p.m. or so during the week and then they have the rest of the time to work, do homework, hangout with friends, etc.

I have to fit all of that in after 7 p.m. on Mondays though Thursdays, but today I start at noon. I don't have a job because it would interfere with my school work, but cheerleading is in the place of a job for me. I love to take a nap and get ready for the night's events.

When I am out on the weekends it sometimes comes up that I am a cheerleader. People have mixed reactions, and that's o.k. The stereotypes of a cheerleader do not fit my personality and I want people to know that the SEMO cheerleaders have more to offer than jumping up and down. The squad has a really great team G.P.A. Many members of both squads are scholar athletes and half of us are on the Dean's list. I can honestly say that both the coed and all girl squad are normal, respectable people just like the rest of you.

It really gets old when people think we are the cheerleaders from Saturday Night Live or something. I think that some people look at us and admire us, but there are some who think we are superficial and dumb.

Saturday

Today was the game and I was ready to go. We have all been working so hard and it's time to get the show on the road. I have to remember all of the cheer signs and equipment. There is so much that I had to do before the game I was just glad it was finally here.

As the team was running out my adrenaline was rushing because we make them a tunnel and run them out. I was tumbling along with others and it was really exciting. The band always helps us out to get the crowd pumped up and they did a great job.

It is my job to call the cheers and keep the cheerleaders upbeat. They do a good job on crowd involvement and stunting. I wish there were more students who attended the game because we could really use the extra voices. Cheerleaders need a go-and-get-it attitude. If you hold back you will get hurt or never achieve the skill.

The fans look at us for player motivation and crowd involvement. It is our job to get them on their feet. All of the pyramids, stunts, and basket tosses are just for show. We know our main purpose is to cheer. We normally incorporate signs telling the fans what we want them to do in order to pump up the team. Our cheers are simpler than high school cheers so the crowd can catch on and yell with us.

Not many people stare at the cheerleaders during the game but we intend to make them look this year.

It is really hard to recruit guys to cheer for us. The whole "guy cheerleaders are gay" comment comes out a lot and people question their sexuality. Guy cheerleaders have to have as much talent as girls but more strength. I wish there could be a way to change the perception on male cheerleaders. It is really upsetting how many comments are made about male cheerleaders and I think some guys don't realize how hard it is.

I think cheerleading is great for school involvement and it keeps you in shape. I have come out of this with many friends that I would have never known if it wasn't for cheerleading.

I think cheering has boosted my confidence and makes it easy to meet new people. I like supporting SEMO athletics and I am sure it helps them out with motivation. I really like knowing what is going on at SEMO and this is a great way to become part of the new Southeast. Hopefully SEMO will grow as a student body and be more involved. I am proud to say that I was here when Rowdy was born!

Stephen

Sunday

Today I woke up at my leisure, which was around noon. I didn't do too much; I sat around until 3 p.m., when I worked out. After that I ate dinner. Right now I do not have any specific diet, just pretty much eat what ever is convenient. I try to stay away from fried foods and soda.

I also belong to the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where I am the vice president. So, at 5:30 p.m. I had chapter for my fraternity, which lasted until 7:15 p.m. Then I just hung out with some friends and got to bed around 11:30 p.m. This was probably the least busy day I have had in quite some time.

Monday

I got up at 8 a.m. for class. I had class from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., after which I ate lunch. I then went to work from 12:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Enterprise Rent-a-Car. After work I had a couple hours to get some homework done and work out.

Lately I have not had nearly enough time in my schedule to fit in proper workouts so I usually only get one or two in a week. What I feel during workouts, practices and games is pressure. I feel pressure to be a good example for the team and pressure to show the community that we are still fun to watch.

Next, I had to go write a skit for the Alpha Chis. It is my fraternity's big philanthropy this weekend and the sororities perform skits for us as well as compete in events on Saturday. Our philanthropy is the Watermelon Bust. I got done with this at around 10 p.m., then I went to my off-campus house and went to bed.

I usually do not stay up too late. My daily life is pretty boring and busy. I rarely have any free time anymore and the little amount I do have I use it to not do anything. My days start early and end late.

Tuesday

I woke up at 10 a.m. to get ready for class. I had class form 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., after which I had lunch. For lunch I had a very unhealthy meal of nachos. Then I went back to class from 2 p.m. until 3:15 p.m.

Directly after class I had practice from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. We are in a kind of rebuilding process. All the guys that had been on the squad for at least a season or two have quit and I am the only one left that has experience (aside from Ray, who was on the team last year, only for half the season).

I have a lot on my shoulders. But all this does not even come close to making me quit. I don't know why, but from the first time I ever stepped foot at a cheerleading practice, my junior year of high school, I loved it. Even now with all that I have to do I still think it is the best thing I have ever done. Had I not cheered I would not be where I am today and that is the truth.

Cheerleading is why I went to SEMO and how I met Lambda Chi Alpha and it's the reason I have the friends that I have

Wednesday

Today I woke up at 8 a.m. and prepared for class. I attended class from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. After class I ate lunch which was a salad and some cereal. After lunch I went to work from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. When I was done with work I went to my RCIA class, which is the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. This lasted from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. As soon as I was done with that I had to coach the Alpha Chis skit until around 10:30 p.m.

I then came home did some homework and went to bed. My dinner consisted of chips and snacks at RCIA.

Thursday

Like Tuesday I was able to sleep in until 10 a.m., and then I got ready for class. I had a class at 11 a.m. and it ended at 12:15 p.m. I had a scheduled meeting with a representative from my fraternity's nationals to evaluate my performance as vice president; he also evaluated all members of the Zeta. The Zeta is all the people in charge. After this I went to class from 2 p.m. until 3:15 p.m.

As soon as class let out I had just enough time to get ready for cheer practice.

Anyway, as far as stresses go, I have many. Cheerleading in and of itself is a huge stress, especially during TV games. But nowadays the main stresses are: Are the guys ready? Is the team ready? Is everyone stretched? Do we have the right uniform? Is everyone here? Can we build all our pyramids? Is anyone hurt?

Friday

8 a.m., I woke up, took a shower and got ready for class. I attended class from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I arrived to work at 3 p.m. and was there until 6 p.m. After this I had dinner, which was exactly like lunch.

During the eveing, I had to get the sorority girls of Alpha Chi Omega ready for their skits. The sororities put on skits as part of our philanthropy. This lasted until 9:30 p.m. After this was over I relaxed with my friends and got to bed early for the game.

I face many challenges, ranging form stereotypes to job and class stress. The usual stereotype is that all male cheerleaders are gay. That's obvious. But the truth is that it has no bearing on whether or not you are a cheerleader.

In fact, I have only known a handful of gay cheerleaders. Almost all my cheerleading friends are straight; that's why they got into it in the first place. I think it's the prospect of touching good-looking girl's butts!

Saturday

I woke up at 9:45 a.m. for my fraternity's Philanthropy, the Watermelon Bust. It lasted from 11 a.m. until about 1 p.m. After that I got my first nap in a long while ... I slept until 3:30 p.m. Then I got ready for the football game against Jacksonville State.

We are supposed to get to the game by 4 p.m. to warm up and go through what we do each game so everyone is on the same page. As far as what it means to be a Southeast cheerleader I would have to say that it means -- and I know this sounds corny, but -- believing.

When I say believing I am talking about never letting people and bad games deter you from supporting your school. Never give up on SEMO and be proud. I don't know if this makes any sense but it's pretty much how I feel.