News
GVSU Head Cheer Coach Brandy Skantze Retires
May 07, 2024
Grand Valley State varsity head cheer coach Brandy Skantze announced
that she is retiring from the post after 19 years. Skantze cheered for
GVSU from 2000 – 2004, assisted the program for a year and then took
over as head coach in 2005.
"We are grateful for Brandy's dedication and
commitment to Laker Cheer and certainly to all of Laker
Athletics," said GVSU Director of Athletics, Keri Becker.
"Cheer is a vital piece of the game day experience at Grand
Valley State, and we truly appreciated the program that Brandy
built," added Becker.
What started as becoming the
coach of a sideline cheer squad 20 years ago, evolved into also
building and leading a competitive cheer program as well. The sideline
cheer programs provide amazing support for football, basketball, but
also cheered at other events such as soccer. The squad has traveled
near and far to provide sideline energy under Skantze's
leadership.
While the sideline cheer is the program that
falls under the supervision of athletics, the competitive cheer team
was something these same cheerleaders also loved to do, so Brandy
volunteered her time to coach this team to multiple
championships.
Most importantly, Brandy gave many hours in
support of providing an amazing experience for hundreds of
cheerleaders who wanted to be on the sidelines and compete.
- Cheered at GVSU from 2000-2004. I've been to every National Championship football game!
- Started as assistant coach, coaching the All Girl team during the 2004-2005 season. This was the first year we attended NCA Nationals.
- Took over as head coach for the 2005-2006 season with a Coed and All Girl team.
- Won at NCA in 2016. Large Coed Intermediate Division.
- Won at the College Classic in 2024. All Girl, Small Coed and Super Spirit Showdown divisions.
"Coaching at Grand Valley State has been the adventure of
a lifetime," said Skantze. "I've been able to have so many
amazing opportunities, including traveling all over the country for
games. I've met so many amazing people and have made connections all
over the cheer world. The thousands of athletes that I have coached
have made such an impact on my life, and I can only hope that Grand
Valley Cheer has done the same for them."