Administration
Spirit Behind the Bears Sugar Bears
Susan Brown is the Sugar Bears dance team coach and spirit squads coordinator. The Missouri State Sugar Bears have been ranked No. 1 in the nation by the Universal Dance Association for the past four years, and received a paid bid to the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 UDA College National Championships, held annually in Orlando, Fla. The Sugar Bears
2009-10 Missouri State Sugar Bears Front row: (from left) Lauren Kitson, Alison Hebron, Carolyn Kelch, Stephanie Mannell, Allison Taylor. Middle row: Elizabeth Kreher, Neely Jo Michaelis, Emily Tod, Susan Brown, Melissa vanKluyve, Sara Fuchs, Lauren Pohle. Back row: Ky Herr, Kayla Kimminau, Landyn Harris, Megan Abbate, Katie Staihr.
have placed in the top ten in the nation the past 10 years, including a fourth-place finish in Division 1 Dance and fifth-place showing in Division 1 Hip-Hop at the 2009 Nationals. The Sugar Bears also attend UDA College Camp each summer and have won both the home routine and fight song competitions, as well as the “Most Collegiate Dance Team” award.
Missouri State Cheer Squad The Missouri State Cheer Squad, coached by Nikki Love-Adkins, is a group of quality individuals filling the dual role of ambassadors and talented cheerleaders. In addition to cheering for all home football, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball games, the
squad competes each January at the UCA College Nationals, garnering top-five finishes the past four years, including an all-time best third-place Division 1 showing in 2009. Boomer’s Crew includes: Ashley Ross, Brandt Shields and Chase Thompson.
Missouri State Pride Bands
2009-10 Missouri State Cheerleaders Boston Alverson, Linsey Barker (captain), Candace Clay, Kelsey Drury, Kacie Evans, Doug Gaehle, Shon Garman, David Gladback, Kevin Gostling, Lindsey Guttin, Lindsay Kelley, Thoeun Khat (captain), Faith Lorhan, Danielle Minkler, Kelly Mozdren, Zac Nichols, Devin Pearson, Greg Penrod, Ashley Ross, Brandt Shields, Hilary Speis, Chase Thompson.
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The Pride Bands have served as one of Missouri State’s most visible ambassadors, both nationally and internationally. They have been selected for and featured in, the most prestigious parades, clinics and conventions across the nation. Their high level of musicianship, power-packed field shows, precisioned guard and awesome drumline are recognized throughout the band world and appearance requests pour in year round. Three of the 18 bands at Missouri State are the Pride Marching Band, Bear Mania Basketball Band, and the Lady Bear Mania Basketball Band. At Plaster Sports Complex, the bands have often been referred to as the team’s “12th man” or as the “secret weapon.” From the first downbeat to the final horn, fans are treated to an afternoon or evenng of unbridled enthusiasm, marching precision and entertainment. The band staff includes Director of Bands Jerry Hoover, Associate Director Dr. Belva
Prather, Color Guard Instructor John Sullivan, Band Coordinator Maxine Sullivan, Band Events Coordinator Amy Perkins. Junior staff includes Joe Padawan, Drew Morales, Shaun Johnson. Band graduate assistants are Catherine Maledy, Nick Kremer, Andrew Chybowski, Phil Forrester.
2009 Missouri State Bears Football
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