UCF’s 2003 National championship winning cheerleading team was the first team to be inducted in UCF’s Hall of Fame on April 19.
One word that would describe that season for this team’s head coach is teamwork.
“Ultimately, whenever you’re in a team sport you have to be willing to trust the people around you,” Head Coach Linda Gooch said. “Giving up wasn’t in this team’s vocabulary.”
The 2003 UCF cheerleading squad was one that honored teamwork. Gooch even admitted that this team wasn’t the best skill wise, but greatly commemorated them on their effort and hard work as a whole.
During their national competition’s performance, like any anxious coach, Gooch was holding her breath. But they had confidence in their performance, and the team was able to count on each other to give 100 percent during the one routine that mattered first. Once their rival, University of Kentucky, was called as second place, their dream became a reality.
“It was very exciting, and I was happy for them,” Gooch said. All their hard work has paid off. Even with one of their main bases, James Kersey, injured, they were able to bring the gold home.
One word that Kersey used to describe his season is “challenging”.
Kersey suffered 2 torn rotator cuffs, and still performed his hardest along side his teammates, and another injured main flyer, Jamie Woode, who suffered a broken leg that had not been fully recovered in time for their national’s competition.
This team showed true determination and dedication. UCF credits all the team members in their inspiration to work together and in becoming the real meaning of a championship team.
“For us it was definitely an honor,” Kersey said about being inducted in the Hall of Fame. He reflected on what his team accomplished that day, and what he sets as a goal for UCF cheerleading squads every year as a coach.
“We do go out there, and we do give one hundred percent” Kersey said. UCF can thank the cheerleading teams for creating an unbreakable school spirit.
