Northwestern Cheerleading and Mascot Teams Earn Awards at 2023 Summer Camps
8/16/2023 8:53:00 AM | Spirit Squad
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern's cheerleading and mascot teams are entering the 2023 Fall Season with new energy after securing several awards for their performances over the summer.
The cheerleading team recently attended the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Summer Camp in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 24-27. After spending the first few days honing their skills in gymnastics, choreography and other sideline exercises, the 'Cats put everything they learned into practice. The team's performance on the final day of camp earned a second-place finish in the All-Girl Intermediate Division, Superior ribbons in both crowd and rally routines, a perfect score in crowd segment, and garnered the 2023 NCA College Spirit Stick.
Following the success of the cheerleading squad in Kentucky, student performers on Northwestern's Mascot Team participated in mascot training at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Spirit Camp in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, from Aug. 3-6.
Willie the Wildcat received UCA's Most Improved Mascot award and earned two UCA Superior blue ribbons for Home Skit Routine and Field Performance, which is the camp's highest honor. Northwestern also debuted its newest spirit addition, Purple Man, which was a fan favorite.
"Our main focus is to support our varsity teams and lead them (and) the crowd to promote school spirit," head coach Valerie Ruiz said. "But when we're at camp, the competition really helps elevate (our) level of performance."
The NCA camp attracted over 300 participants from 12 schools, including the University of Louisville, DePaul University and Marshall University. Surrounded by hundreds of other cheerleaders, the camp afforded Ruiz and her team a chance to compete against other programs, an opportunity which does not present itself during the football and basketball seasons. During the week, the 'Cats focused on team bonding, pyramid technique, advancing stunts, and routines to lead the NU faithful for both football and basketball game days, Ruiz said.
At the camp, Ruiz said her squad displayed strong technique and were highly spirited during all their performances, leading to an impressive showing.
UCA College Spirit Camp is one of the most prestigious collegiate mascot camps in the country, Ruiz said. Attendees at this year's camp included Willie the Wildcat, Aubie the Tiger from Auburn University, Bucky Badger from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue Pete from Purdue University and many others.
This year was the Northwestern mascot team's first appearance at the camp, which teaches student performers how to carry out non-verbal interactions with fans, develop a mascot's character and perform various skits and dancing routines.
On the final day of camp, each school's mascot team had a chance to showcase the skills and routines they learned in Wisconsin. During a two- or three-minute skit, mascots used props and music to "get the crowd interacting and responding," said Ruiz.
"It was amazing to see the team build on its scores throughout the event, earning our best score in the last round of competition," Ruiz said. "I am beyond proud of each member on the squad. This is a great way to kick off our season by earning these awards, but we are also looking forward to supporting all of the amazing athletes we have here at Northwestern University. This team has set high goals for the upcoming season, and I cannot wait to see the energy and school spirit they spread in and around campus."
The cheerleading team recently attended the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Summer Camp in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 24-27. After spending the first few days honing their skills in gymnastics, choreography and other sideline exercises, the 'Cats put everything they learned into practice. The team's performance on the final day of camp earned a second-place finish in the All-Girl Intermediate Division, Superior ribbons in both crowd and rally routines, a perfect score in crowd segment, and garnered the 2023 NCA College Spirit Stick.
Following the success of the cheerleading squad in Kentucky, student performers on Northwestern's Mascot Team participated in mascot training at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) College Spirit Camp in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, from Aug. 3-6.
Willie the Wildcat received UCA's Most Improved Mascot award and earned two UCA Superior blue ribbons for Home Skit Routine and Field Performance, which is the camp's highest honor. Northwestern also debuted its newest spirit addition, Purple Man, which was a fan favorite.
"Our main focus is to support our varsity teams and lead them (and) the crowd to promote school spirit," head coach Valerie Ruiz said. "But when we're at camp, the competition really helps elevate (our) level of performance."
The NCA camp attracted over 300 participants from 12 schools, including the University of Louisville, DePaul University and Marshall University. Surrounded by hundreds of other cheerleaders, the camp afforded Ruiz and her team a chance to compete against other programs, an opportunity which does not present itself during the football and basketball seasons. During the week, the 'Cats focused on team bonding, pyramid technique, advancing stunts, and routines to lead the NU faithful for both football and basketball game days, Ruiz said.
At the camp, Ruiz said her squad displayed strong technique and were highly spirited during all their performances, leading to an impressive showing.
UCA College Spirit Camp is one of the most prestigious collegiate mascot camps in the country, Ruiz said. Attendees at this year's camp included Willie the Wildcat, Aubie the Tiger from Auburn University, Bucky Badger from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Purdue Pete from Purdue University and many others.
This year was the Northwestern mascot team's first appearance at the camp, which teaches student performers how to carry out non-verbal interactions with fans, develop a mascot's character and perform various skits and dancing routines.
On the final day of camp, each school's mascot team had a chance to showcase the skills and routines they learned in Wisconsin. During a two- or three-minute skit, mascots used props and music to "get the crowd interacting and responding," said Ruiz.
"It was amazing to see the team build on its scores throughout the event, earning our best score in the last round of competition," Ruiz said. "I am beyond proud of each member on the squad. This is a great way to kick off our season by earning these awards, but we are also looking forward to supporting all of the amazing athletes we have here at Northwestern University. This team has set high goals for the upcoming season, and I cannot wait to see the energy and school spirit they spread in and around campus."
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