Vincennes University’s Cheer team is under new management.
Head Coach Jill Steele says lots of big things are in store for this year. The cheer team in recent months has experienced some trials and tribulations, not unlike most sports, she said.
“Life in general is a roller coaster of hard times and easy times, and this cheer season has been no
different,” she said. “ I have had four changes in captains and also had to remove a member for not embracing the ‘Team Spirit.’”
“We have added and lost members along the way and worked through illness and injuries, which is never easy” Steele continued. “But through all the turbulence I have been blessed to have a strong resilient team that pivots as needed.”
Steele has drawn from her own experiences as she looked to guide the cheer team through this season of change.
Steele grew up traveling the world as a military kid.
“I grew up traveling the world as a military brat,” she quipped. “Then when my dad retired we somehow ended up in
Vincennes.”
Raising three children of her own, she grew to love all that the small community offers.
Steele currently serves as the Director of Diverse Abilities and Accommodations here at the university, helping students find success in their academic journeys. Steele decided to take on the additional job as cheer coach, leaning on her experience in Student Affairs.
It just “made sense,” she said.
“Cheer is a sport that I love,” she went on.“ I was a cheerleader and my daughter also cheered throughout middle and high school.”
Steele has a passion for wanting to help others be better in what they do.
“I enjoy being around others who love the sport and challenging them to be better each day than they were the day before, both as cheerleaders
and humans,” she said.
With the 2024-25 regular basketball season coming to a close, Steele is hopeful about the cheer team’s future.
“I am excited to transform a small cheer team to a larger team,” she said. “As we continue to market ourselves and recruit new members, I am excited for the opportunities that will bring for the entire team.”
The team is hosting try-outs in April for the 2025 Fall season. Details are forthcoming.
Steele encourages anyone interested in possibly joining the cheer team to check out either of the two regular season basketball games on Saturday. The women play at 5 p.m., the men at 7 p.m. at the university’s P.E. Complex.
For more information, contact Steele via email at [email protected] or stop by her office located in the Shake LRC.
