Early efforts to spread the news about this enthusiastic new group have met with unprecedented enthusiasm from fans. More than 100 family charter memberships were issued in the first two months, and the rate of membership growth is increasing steadily as news of the new Club’s existence spreads. Already a growing calendar of social functions, fund-raising, and leadership activities have been planned for implementation, and the 1998 - 1999 cheerleading season is sure to be a landmark, fun-filled year for UGA Cheerleaders, cheerleading alumni and Club members.
SOME UP-COMING EVENTS ON THE CLUB CALENDAR INCLUDE:
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PARTY (PICTURE DAY 1998 - AUGUST
29): ‘Cheers’ members will not want to miss this Picture Day
Saturday Night event! It is be a joint production of ‘CHEERS’ and
the Georgia Bulldog Motor Coach Club (GBMCC). Festivities will begin
at 7 p.m. in the UGA Stegeman Coliseum Parking Lot with a light, catered
food offering sponsored by “Cheers” followed by a fifties vintage parking
lot dance orchestrated by GBMCC in the tradition of a high school sock
hop. The dress code for the event is “asphalt casual.” Roughly
defined, that translates to casual clothing, comfortable shoes, an available
lawn chair, and a mind set for having great fun. The event is for
CHEERS and GBMCC members and guests, the GEORGIA CHEERLEADERS, their staff
and their families and guests. It has three purposes: 1) to introduce
the 1998 CHEERLEADING SQUAD, 2) to begin the membership bonding process,
and 3) to start a fun new tradition. The CHEERS membership
shouldn’t confuse this one with the traditional booster club back-to-school
party paradigm. The purpose is serious, but the format is fun.
Music for the event will be provided by the “WOOF MAN” and his fantastic
little red “BULLDOG MUSIC MACHINE” on wheels. Otherwise known as
Mr. N. J. Tippens from Canton, GA, the “WOOF MAN” is GBMCC’s resident disc
jockey / hard core Bulldog fan combination, and he is known for the ability
to transform game day parking lots scenes into memorable dance events wherever
the Bulldogs may go. Come on out and join the fun CHEERS members!
The CHEERLEADERS are anxious to get to know you better and start creating
some of that famous Bulldog-style excitement.
ALL-SEC CHEERLEADER MIXER EVENT (CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, FEBRUARY 25-28, 1999): This is to be a CHEERS sponsored courtesy invitational event for all twelve SEC Cheerleading squads. The CHEERS membership and UGA CHEERLEADERS and their staff, will host the counterpart SEC cheerleading squads in a joint gathering at the site of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament in Chattanooga, TN, during February. This event is still in the planning stages. Coach Braswell and the CHEERS planning committee for this event are hard at work on the logistical details of making this SEC leadership function a reality. The purpose is to treat all the SEC cheerleaders to some fun and camaraderie while promoting good will and sportsmanship across the conference. Stay tuned for more details as the season unfolds.
CHEERLEADING AWARDS BANQUET (APRIL, 1999): This year, for the first time, the annual cheerleading awards banquet will be sponsored in part by CHEERS, and the function will be open to the full membership. Details of the event have not yet been developed fully pending consensus agreement between the membership and Cheerleading Staff, and the outcomes of CHEERS fund-raising activities. The expected outcome is a traditional indoor banquet format with some goodies, and exciting new rewards sponsored by CHEERS.
OTHER EVENTS FOR THE COMING SEASON: Stay tuned for more news as CHEERS completes its inaugural year event calendar. Many more good ideas are under consideration.
SUPPORT PROJECT: In addition to sponsoring fun social functions for the Cheerleaders and membership, and sponsoring the awards banquet, CHEERS has highlighted a major support project for the Cheerleaders this year. The squad does not currently have shower and locker facilities for use after workouts and before going to classes. The goal is to raise funds necessary in renovating an available area in Stegeman Coliseum for this purpose. The envisioned facility is a three section design with a central team briefing area flanked on either side by gender-specific shower and locker accommodations. The CHEERS leadership is actively seeking financial support needed in achieving this goal. Interested parties should contact CHEERS at 706-546-5839 (Club President, evenings), or 706-542-1172 (Coach Braswell, working hours) for details on progress and how to help.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: The new CHEERS booster club is open to anyone interested in honoring and supporting the UGA CHEERLEADERS. The Club dues year is keyed to the Fall sports season and runs from August through September. Annual dues are $25.00 and there is no initiation fee. New members who join before July 31, 1999, will be awarded charter membership status. The CHEERS group is also accepting additional contributions for an aggressive calendar of support functions. These may be included with membership applications and dues checks if applicants so desire.
HOW TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP: Interested fans may become members by mailing the application form below, along with a check in the amount of $25.00 made out to “UGA Cheers Booster Club” to: UGA Cheers Booster Club, % Marilou Braswell, Head Coach, Stegeman Coliseum, 100 Smith Street, Athens, GA 30602.