You’ve seen them on the sidelines of Fifth Third Stadium, probably while you were distracted by a touchdown or grabbing a hot dog. But honestly, if you think the Kennesaw State University cheerleaders are just there to look spirited during a timeout, you’re missing the actual story. This isn't just about pompoms and high-pitched chants. We are talking about a Division I powerhouse that has quietly—well, maybe not so quietly if you're within earshot of the megaphone—become one of the most competitive programs in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
They work. Hard.
While the football team transitioned to the FBS and the basketball program had that wild "Madness" run a couple of years back, the KSU cheer squad has been the consistent backbone of the school's athletic identity. They are athletes in the truest sense. If you don't believe me, go try to hold a 120-pound human being above your head with one hand while smiling for a jumbotron camera. It’s brutal. It’s technical. And for the Owls, it’s a way of life that demands year-round commitment.
The Reality of Life as a Kennesaw State University Cheerleader
Being part of this squad isn't some casual extracurricular activity you sign up for to pad a resume. It is a full-time job that happens to pay in school spirit and occasional scholarship money. The program is generally split into two distinct groups: the Co-ed squad and the All-Girl squad.
The Co-ed team is where you see the massive "toss" stunts. Think guys throwing flyers fifteen feet into the air and catching them like it’s nothing. The All-Girl squad focuses more on intricate pyramid building and synchronized tumbling that looks like a choreographed car crash—if the cars were made of muscle and grace.
Training usually starts way before the first leaf falls in Georgia. While most students are still at the beach in July, these athletes are in the gym. They are hitting the weight room. They are drilling "Full-Ups" and "Double Downs" until their joints ache. KSU cheer isn't just about game day; it's about the road to Daytona. That's where the NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) Collegiate National Championship happens. For a Kennesaw State cheerleader, Daytona is the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the Olympics rolled into one sandy, high-pressure weekend.
What it Takes to Make the Cut
Don't just show up with a "Go Owls" attitude and expect a uniform. The tryout process is intense. Coaches like Charlie Arant have historically looked for a specific "total package." You need the skills, obviously. We're talking standing back tucks, round-off back handspring fulls, and elite stunting ability.
But there’s a nuance to it.
You have to be an ambassador. Kennesaw State is a massive school—over 45,000 students. The cheerleaders are often the "face" of the university at community events, donor dinners, and charity galas. If you can't hold a conversation with a billionaire donor and then go do a backflip ten minutes later, you probably won't last long here. The mental toughness required is often overlooked. You’re performing in front of thousands of people, and if you drop a stunt, you can’t hide. You have to reset, smile, and keep going.
The National Stage: More Than Just Sidelines
Let’s talk about the hardware. The Kennesaw State University cheerleaders have a trophy case that would make most SEC schools jealous. They compete in the Advanced Large Coed and All-Girl divisions at the NCA Nationals.
Why does this matter?
Because the scoring at these events is objective and unforgiving. Judges look at "difficulty," "execution," and "showmanship." KSU has consistently placed in the top tier of their divisions for years. This isn't "bring it on" movie magic; it’s a high-stakes athletic competition where a single pointed toe or a slightly wobbly landing can be the difference between a national title and fifth place.
The program's success has created a sort of "KSU Pipeline." Local high school cheerleaders in Cobb County and across Georgia see the Owls as a destination program. It’s no longer the "safety school" for athletes who didn't get into UGA or Georgia Tech. It’s a primary target.
The Impact of the Move to FBS
When Kennesaw State football moved up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and joined Conference USA, the pressure on the spirit squads skyrocketed. Everything got bigger. The crowds got louder. The travel got more demanding.
Suddenly, the cheerleaders weren't just traveling to local regional games; they were representing the university on a national stage against storied programs. This transition required a massive increase in stunting difficulty to keep up with the "big dogs" of college football.
Honestly, they handled it better than almost anyone expected. The visual of the KSU cheerleaders leading the team onto the field through a cloud of smoke and 10,000 screaming fans is now an iconic part of the North Georgia sports landscape.
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Debunking the Myths
People love to talk down about cheerleading. They call it a "support activity."
Actually, it’s one of the most dangerous sports in the country. Data from the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research consistently shows that high-level stunting leads to significant injury risks. The KSU athletes deal with concussions, torn ACLs, and broken wrists just like the football players do.
There's also this weird idea that they aren't "real" students.
Wrong. Most KSU cheerleaders are balancing 15 credit hours, 20 hours of practice a week, and mandatory appearances. Many are nursing majors, engineers, and business students. They have to maintain a specific GPA to remain eligible. It's a grind that most people would quit after three days.
And let’s be real: they don't get the same NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals that the star quarterbacks get. Most of them are doing this for the love of the sport and the chance to represent the black and gold.
The Secret Sauce: Scrappy Culture
If you spend any time around the KSU spirit program, you’ll notice a "scrappy" vibe. They know they aren't the oldest or most famous program in the South. They use that. They train with a chip on their shoulder.
They call themselves "The Nest" for a reason. It's a tight-knit family. When a flyer falls, the bases don't get mad; they analyze what went wrong and fix it. That culture of accountability is exactly why they've been able to compete with schools that have five times their budget.
How to Support or Join the Squad
If you're a high school athlete looking at KSU, or just a fan who wants to see them crush it at Nationals, here’s the deal.
Follow the official social media channels. They post "Skill Check" videos that are actually insane. They also host clinics for younger cheerleaders. These "stunt clinics" are the best way to get recruited. The coaches get to see how you take feedback, not just how high you can jump.
For the casual fan, just show up early. The pre-game "Owl Walk" is where you see the energy in person. It’s infectious.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring KSU Cheerleaders
- Focus on your "Full": If you want to be on the competition mat at KSU, a standing tuck is the bare minimum. Work on your running tumbling passes, specifically aiming for a round-off back handspring full-twisting layout.
- Hit the Weight Room: Strength is the foundation of safety in cheer. Bases need explosive leg power; flyers need core stability that would make a gymnast blush.
- Attend the Clinics: Don't be a stranger. The coaches remember faces. If you show up to three clinics and show progress at each one, you’re already ahead of 90% of the applicants.
- Clean Up Your Socials: As ambassadors for Kennesaw State, the squad is held to a high standard. Make sure your online presence reflects someone a university wants representing their brand.
- Watch the NCA Finals: Go to YouTube and watch KSU’s previous routines at Daytona. Study the pacing, the transitions, and the "cleanliness" of their motions. That is the standard you are chasing.
The Kennesaw State University cheerleaders have built something special in the heart of Kennesaw. They are the pulse of the university, the muscle on the sidelines, and the athletes who literally fly so the rest of the school can soar. Next time you're at a game, keep your eyes on the track during the third-quarter break. You'll see exactly what I'm talking about.