University of Minnesota Athletics
Hockey Cheer Team
9/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
University of Minnesota’s Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders A unique group of young women cheer, skate, and get fans fired up for the legendary Golden Gopher Hockey team
Plan on trying out for the 2011-12 Gopher Hockey Cheer Team? Click here for tryout information.
(To try out, you must also fill out a medical history report)
- Photo Album
The Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders, coached by Kristina Hefty, Liz Froseth, and Sam Owens, work together to combine choreographed figure skating skills, synchronized skating skills, dancing, and cheerleading both on the ice and in the stands. Furthermore, the team at the University of Minnesota is looked upon as an especially unique representative within the sport of hockey cheerleading because all of the girls on the team are talented figure skaters. The 2008-2009 squad is comprised of 14 young women who come from diverse backgrounds of figure skating, cheerleading, dance experience, and of course a love for hockey. Hockey cheerleading 3rd year member, Leah Pickett, said, “I came to the U, started going to hockey games and instantly discovered what an amazing experience Gopher Hockey games are. Hockey cheerleading is the most unique sport I've ever seen!” The time of these cheerleaders is dedicated to supporting the hockey team, going into the stands and getting fans involved, and creating routines for entertainment. Junior Bridget Mozina said, “I love that we get to be among the crowd at the hockey games. There are not very many cheerleaders who get the opportunity to really know their fans while cheering for a sport they love.” Also commenting on hockey cheerleading, freshman and first-year member Lucy Nevanen said, “I am so glad I decided to try out and that I made the team. I feel like I am really part of the University and I am looking forward to the excitement of the games.” Not many colleges have hockey cheerleaders, in fact, not many people have even heard of this sport. Sometimes when people travel from other parts of the country to see their team play against the Gophers, it is their first encounter with hockey cheerleaders. The Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders hope the sport will someday extend beyond the Universities in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota and will become a sport that is recognized all over the country.
The Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders are a multi-faceted group of women who go beyond cheering and performing at hockey games and strive to be involved in the community and connect to the fans they represent. In addition to being full time students, the hockey cheerleaders do many fundraising events to raise the money that helps to fuel their community outreach. This year, these young women have a variety of community service events scheduled. During the holiday season, the hockey cheerleaders will be organizing their annual clothing drive, a food drive, making visits to local Children’s Hospitals, nursing homes, and will be participating in Relay for Life and Polar Bear Plunge events.
As members of the Minnesota hockey and spirit squad families, the Gopher Hockey Cheerleaders choose to be a part of this because they love the sport of hockey, enjoy figure skating, cheerleading, performing, and take great pride in being a part of the University of Minnesota tradition.
2010-11 Hockey Cheer Team
Laura Alt | Stephanie Bancroft | Amanda Berglove |
Katrina Dryja | Kaleigh Hammann | Hope Hoffman |
Brittany Johnson | Lauren Johnson | Kirsten Kjorsvig |
Kelly Machmeier | Gretchen Rick | Brianna Roach |
| | | |
Rose Roberts | | |
