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The Hofstra Cheerleading program is currently comprised of one nationally recognized co-ed squad. The squad promotes school spirit for the University's athletic teams, such as the men's and women's basketball teams. Cheer performances are also requested at University festivals and Admission events.
The season kicks off the beginning of August with an intense summer training session for a 7-day period. During this session, the squad attends a College Summer Camp hosted by UCA. In years past, Hofstra has taken 1st place in the Cheer & Chant Competition!
Each member is required to maintain an overall 2.0 or greater GPA. Becoming a member is a full school-year commitment, starting in August and ending in May. Fall semester practices are 3-4 times per week, and spring semester practices are 2 times per week. The Competition Team is required to be available for two practices per day over the intersession. Practice times are given to the squad well in advance so that they may plan their class schedules accordingly.
Limited scholarships are available, and are offered to our veterans who demonstrate overall commitment and dedication to the program. The University provides the squad with summer-training practice clothes, other Cheer apparel, uniforms, camp costs, transportation, hotel accommodations, and the College National Competition trip!
The Small Co-ed team is highly competitive and competes nationally once per year at UCA's College Championship in Orlando, FL. Pride Cheerleaders have won 10 UCA Small Co-ed National Championship titles: 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016! The Game Day Competitive team also took home first place in 2019, and 2021. The program has won two UCA Partner Stunt Championships in 2013 and 2015. Hofstra has won the University World Cup in 2012, 2013 (Partner Stunt), 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2024. Two international titles were earned representing the USA at Pan-American Championship in Colombia and the European Open Championship in Paris, France.
Cheerleading Coaches
Christine Farina
Head Cheerleading Coach
Hofstra, 1999
B.B.A. in Finance from Hofstra University, Head Coach of the 10-Time Small Coed National Champion, 6x World University Champion, 2011 European Open Champion, 2017 Pan-American Champion, 2x STUNT Quarterfinalist, 2019 Open Game Day All Girl National Champion Hofstra University Cheerleading Team. Former NCA head instructor and author of The Guide to Cheerleading, sold on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles. Associate producer for "The Cheering Life" on MSG Varsity. VARSITY sales representative for the NY area, judge for local, regional, and national competitions, choreographer/consultant for high school and college cheer teams. STUNT Official for NYC PSAL STUNT.
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Matt Jones
Assistant Cheerleading Coach
Hofstra, 2008
B.B.A. in Finance, Hofstra University, Assistant Coach of the 10-Time Small Coed National Champion, 6x World University Champion, 2011 European Open Champion, 2017 Pan-American Champion, 2x STUNT Quarterfinalist, 2019 Open Game Day All Girl National Champion, 2021 Small Coed Game Day National Champions- Hofstra University Cheerleading Team. Sales Representative for BSN Sports for New York. Former Hofstra Cheerleader, 2-time National Championship team member, 2006 American Cheerleader Magazine's All American team. Former NBA Fan Patrol team member, former USAG certified Level 10 Gymnastics Coach.
National Championships
2023
2nd Place Small Coed Game Day at UCA Nationals
4th Place All Girl Partner Stunt
2022
2nd Place Small Coed D1 at UCA Nationals
3rd Place Small Coed Game Day at UCA Nationals
2021
1st Place Small Coed Game Day - Virtual UCA
2020
2nd Place All Girl Game Day at UCA Nationals
4th Place Small Coed D1 at UCA Nationals
2019
Open All Girl Game Day National Champions
2016
1st place at UCA College Nationals
2015
1st place at UCA College Nationals, Gold at the World University Cheer Competition, 1st place in the All Girl Stunt Competition (Kaitlyn Sexton, Samantha Weinstein, Jenn Levy, Danielle Gresalfi), qualified for STUNT Nationals in Oklahoma!
2013
1st place at UCA College Nationals, 1st place in the All Girl Stunt Competition (Arianna Scanlon, Monique Hutton, Brittany Brown-Webster, and Kaitlyn Sexton)
2012
Hofstra Cheer Small Coed was chosen as the Top 3 Inspiring National Routines
2012
1st place at UCA College Nationals, Gold at the World University Cheer Competition
2011
1st place at UCA College Nationals, International Champions at the European Open in Paris, Gold at the World University Cheer Competition
2010
1st place at UCA College Nationals
2009
1st place at UCA College Nationals
2007
1st place at UCA College Nationals
2006
1st place at UCA College Nationals
2003
1st place at UCA College Nationals
Head Cheerleading Coach
Christine Nowierski-Farina
Hofstra Fitness Center
235 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549