Tia Benyshek became head coach of the Washburn Cheerleading Team in 2019. She has been coaching collegiate cheer and dance programs for 20 years and has been instrumental in building the Washburn Spirit program into what it is becoming today. As the Campus Spirit Coordinator, she oversees the Campus Spirit Program which includes the Cheer Team, Mr. Ichabod and the Dancing Blues.
The Cheerleading Team is a unique program consisting of 30 men and women who represent Washburn University as athletic student ambassadors both on campus and within our community. The team performs at all home football and men’s and women’s basketball games, NCAA tournaments and a multitude of community events. The team’s primary focus is to be ambassadors for the University and spread school spirit wherever they go. During the 2023-2024 academic year, the team fundraised their way to their first ever collegiate National Competition held by the Universal Cheerleaders Association in Orlando, Florida at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World.
The Cheerleading team is seeking financial assistance for the opportunity to continue attending the most prestigious college gameday cheerleading competition in the country. To attend the competition, the team raises an average of $40,000 to cover all expenses, including registration, accommodations, transportation, meals, choreography, music, uniforms and spirit raising props such as megaphones, flags, signs, poms, etc. We take a lot of pride in competing at UCA College Nationals. Everything we use for competition can be effectively used to enhance our fan experience during Washburn gamedays. The lessons learned from competing at the National level have proved invaluable and have aided in our recruiting efforts to allow more opportunities for these hard-working student-athletes who have a true heart for Washburn University.
Message from Coach Tia: “On behalf of our entire team, thank you for supporting our goals and providing opportunities that wouldn’t be possible without you. Your help provides these unique athletes with resources and opportunities to grow and helps shape their future in ways that go way beyond the athletic arenas. It is a privilege to coach such dedicated and talented cheerleaders who represent our university with pride and excellence.”
Donations to this project will support the Washburn University Cheerleading Fund.
Forever Washburn Campaign Pillar: Teaching and Program Excellence
