We Got Spirit, How About You?

By Isabelle Guthrie | Published March 3, 2023

The Kean Blue Diamonds, the name that rang through the minds, heart, and soul of three then-freshmen female students and many alike is currently an untold mystery. 

The Kean Blue Diamonds was a newly recognized student group that had high hopes of becoming a cheerleading team. They were faced with defeat shortly after as they were informed they could not be a cheer team nor could they refer to themselves as such. They had to settle for being a spirit squad.

That was not their end goal and the group slowly separated. There has not been talk about establishing a new team and the Kean Blue Diamonds are no more. After checking Cougar Link, Kean Blue Diamond’s advisor is no longer advising the group and did not wish to comment. Their roster has only one member. 

The students who created the club were Rayvin Jordan, Alyzae Coleman, and Taniyah Dubose. Jordan would be the vice president and Dubose and Coleman would be co-presidents. 

Jordan is no longer a student at Kean and while Dubose was unavailable, Coleman had much to say on the matter.

Coleman, a sophomore majoring in criminal justice explained that the reason for their club being inactive was due to the decline of outside interest as they were informed that they couldn’t perform stunts, the initial goal of their organization. 

“The goal of the club was to bring some spirit back to football and basketball games, and in the future participate in cheer competitions. We all missed cheerleading from high school and middle school and intended to start an organization that could help others continue this,” Coleman said.

Coleman said many members and prospective members were discouraged because the Kean Blue Diamonds were only approved to do chants and cheer dances. 

Karla Rodriguez, a junior marketing major, believes that a cheerleading team should be at Kean especially since other universities have a cheerleading team.   

“Most importantly, I think having a cheerleading team will help boost school spirit and create a sense of community among students and fans, especially during games,” Rodriguez said. “Cheerleading can also promote physical activity and fitness which helps them as athletes.”

Cheerleading includes stunts, jumps, and tumbles all of which the ladies were told they are not permitted to perform.

With the Kean Blue Diamonds not being considered a cheerleading team, there are limitations regarding what they can do at events and athletic games hosted at Kean. Unfortunately, the most they can do is cheering on the bleachers as they are not permitted on the court or field during games, as reported in a 2021 article written by Davaughnia Wilson, The Tower’s current Editor-in-Chief.

“I do believe games and events would be more fun and appealing because cheerleading teams are known for their energetic and enthusiastic performances that aim to boost and motivate the crowd,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez also expressed her frustration with the Kean Blue Diamonds not being funded and how they were not given a chance to be a great cheerleading team.

“I can tell they really did want to be an authentic cheerleading team and did what they could to try to be one such as doing their own fundraisers to get funding,” Rodriguez said. “I do think they should’ve been given a chance to be a part of something they desired and would’ve enjoyed, maybe things will change and in the future, they will get that chance.”

In Wilson’s article, she mentioned that the Kean Blue Diamonds were not funded by the Athletic department or the university. 

Kelly Williams, Director of Athletics & Recreation, said that the athletics department does not have oversight of cheerleading, and that it is usually done under the club programs on campus.

“Most Division III cheerleading programs are run through the club department and they don’t fall under Athletics…although they may perform at athletic events,” Williams said. 

With the club being inactive, students are not so pleased and they want to see an actual cheerleading team at Kean.

Melisa Walcott, a junior and communications major, didn’t think it was fair that the club lost the opportunity to be a real cheerleading team. 

“It’s not fair at all. Almost like the school doesn’t take cheerleading seriously as it is a sport,” Walcott said.

Walcott also believes that cheerleading would hold an important place in games and events at Kean in terms of putting the audience in high spirits.

“Cheerleading at basketball games or anything like that brings more support and love to the team that’s playing and brings the audience out of boredom. Cheerleading events are the same thing,” Walcott said. “It’s all individuals who are willing to show their routines to everyone coming out, while having a great time working together doing it.”

Anthony Ravelle, a junior and global business major, said, “I think the entire idea behind them is a good idea, I see no issue with having them as an actual cheer team rather than being listed as a subcategory of what they really are.”

Ravelle stated that having a cheerleading team would be beneficial for Kean, as it would draw in more students to attend events and games and get the crowd full of excitement. 

“Yes I believe events and games will be more fun with a cheer team,” Ravelle said. “They get the crowd involved and bring an atmosphere that is unmatched.”

Yahnay Coursey, junior and communications major, agrees with the need for a cheerleading team at Kean as well. She believes that it will bring much encouragement to our team and get students involved, as well as come together and overall enjoy the event.

 “I believe games/events would be way more fun and create larger crowds to the game. It will give people a chance to get more involved after school,” Coursey said.  

She also expresses her frustration with the outcome of the Kean Blue Diamonds and said “They should be given a chance because Kean hasn’t had a team since 2008 and so many things have changed since then. Cheerleaders would also be able to express themselves, have fun, make friends while supporting their school at the same time,” Coursey said. 

The Kean Blue Diamonds wanted to have the chance to make their mark as Kean University’s cheerleading team. Students want to feel pumped up and ready to cheer on their team. With that, students can come together in cheering making it powerful and uplifting for the team. 

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