No Longhorn event or game day is complete without the rallying cry “Get your Horns up!” — most often led by members of the Texas Cheer and Pom teams, one of the cornerstones of UT traditions. With their high-flying acrobatics, tumbling and dance routines, they’ve been dazzling Longhorn Nation for decades.
Given UT’s best-in-class reputation, most everyone assumes that the Texas cheerleaders, pom squad and mascots have the best of everything. In reality, however, these talented student-athletes have been doing it all with no dedicated practice space or locker rooms, a lack of scholarship or financial support for their time, and an abundance of scrappiness. Considering all they do for the University, it’s time to give these legendary Longhorns our best in return — and cheer alumna Amy Porter, B.S. ’99, founding president of the Texas Exes Cheer and Pom Network, is leading the charge.
A High-Flying History
“When I was on the cheer squad,” Amy recalls, “there were 10 girls. Now there are close to 100 because that’s what it takes to cover everything they do.”
Over the years, the Texas Cheer and Pom program has grown to meet the increasing demands of the University and Texas Athletics. What was once a small spirit club under the Dean of Student Activities is now a team of almost 100 student-athletes performing at the highest level of cheer and dance. There’s the co-ed Orange Squad, which cheers for football and men’s basketball, and the all-girl White Squad for football, volleyball and women’s basketball. In addition, a 30-girl Pom Squad that started in the late ’80s performing at basketball now dons their signature chaps uniform for football games.
The overwhelming popularity of cheer (comprised of gymnastics, stunts and pyramids) and pom (elite level dancers) creates a huge demand for their time and talents. They are invited to perform and represent the University at an ever-growing list of sports — including volleyball, soccer and baseball — as well as Texas Exes celebrations and a multitude of University events. Appearance requests now stand at nearly 300 a year, including summer camps and spirit clinics on the weekends.
“Just the scope and scale of college sports, of the University, of what’s being required of this program has grown,” says Amy, whose daughter Morgan cheered at Texas from 2015-2019. “It’s incredible what they do now. They’re representing the University at a level no other program does, but the resources and funding have not expanded with the scale of the program.”
Head Coach Blair Taylor agrees. “Unlike other athletic endeavors, our cheer and pom students are always in season,” she says. “There is no ‘off time’ during their year, as we are performing for multiple sports as well as maintaining our own cheer and dance commitments. We are the biggest supporters of our sports and campus community. Our programs foster school pride, provide entertainment and create a connection from our fans to the rich Longhorn traditions.”
Texas Spirit’s Biggest Fans
There have recently been several meaningful steps taken to support squad members. They have been given priority access so they can register for classes without conflicting practice times. Professor Jan Todd in the Department of Kinesiology has given them access to practice space from 6 a.m. until the start of classes. The University Co-op has awarded a credit for course materials, and TANC (Texas Athletics Nutrition Center) has provided them with additional meals in the North End Zone, where other athletes eat.
While these steps represent amazing progress for the program, Amy and Blair are fighting to bring Texas Cheer and Pom closer to parity with the teams they cheer for as well as supporting the overall program that for decades has changed the lives of the students in it. With the help of UT supporters and fans, the full needs of the program may soon be met.
Amy and Blair are spearheading a campaign to raise funds for the ongoing support of Texas Cheer and Pom. The name of the campaign? Texas Fight, of course!
The campaign goal is $20 million — money needed to create The Fringe, a permanent practice and team facility dedicated to the Texas Spirit program. Space for The Fringe (named in homage to the cheer team’s iconic uniforms) has been secured. It will include a gym on the third floor of Bellmont Hall, one of the few gyms with the 30-foot ceiling required for the high-flying stunts known as “basket tosses.”
“The Fringe will provide a dedicated space that will instill a sense of pride, meaning and identity to a group of student-athletes who dedicate so much time to Texas Athletics and the University,” says Blair. “Having designated space will also streamline these student-athletes’ routines and make it easier for them to manage their time between their athletic and academic commitments since we aren’t moving between multiple facilities and transporting equipment between several places.”
The Fringe will cost an estimated $20 million to complete, and the first $10 million has already been raised. The Texas Fight campaign aims to raise the remaining $10 million to fund three areas:
- The Fringe, the new modern practice facility, with a team lounge, meeting space and academic center where team members can study, plus a new “Hook ’Em” space dedicated to the mascot team.
- An operating endowment to meet maintenance costs such as uniforms, other equipment and travel expenses.
- A scholarship endowment to provide financial support to team members.
The final point is especially poignant to Amy, who had to work three jobs while going through school. Nowadays, she notes, it is virtually impossible for cheerleaders to work, given the demands on their time. Her sacrifices and hard work made a difference in her life; now she is counting on Longhorn Nation to help her make a difference to future generations of the cheer and pom team.
“Cheer was truly an inflection point in my life,” says Amy, who in 2005 founded Affinipay, a successful financial tech firm. “I found people I connected with. My eyes were opened to what was possible. It was incredibly motivating, confidence building and leadership building. I probably wouldn’t have started a company without it. I wouldn’t have had the same grit if I hadn’t gone through the program and learned how to work hard.”
Support the hardworking students who support our teams. Make your gift to the Texas Fight campaign today.
