The Guilford College cheerleading squad recently won a whopping $8,000 to go towards uniforms for their team. The cheer team won the money by participating in a national Instagram giveaway by Rebel Athletics. Out of Rebel’s 222,000 followers, Guilford College Cheer managed to take home the prize.

“Our cheerleading team has been working incredibly hard since last semester to nail our cheers,” said cheerleader Victoria Pigford. “After all of our practicing and dedication, I was elated when I found out that our team had won new gear from Rebel Athletic Cheer!”

Rebel Athletics may sound familiar, and there’s a good reason why—the brand is one of the most popular cheerleading uniform companies in the US. 

According to dmagazine.com, Rebel brand clients include some of the world’s biggest and most well-known cheer squads, “such as Canada’s 1,200-member Cheer Sport Sharks.” Rebel is also the uniform manufacturer for “professional teams like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.”

Rebel makes uniforms for the cheerleaders of the University of Oklahoma Sooners, West Virginia University, Arizona Cardinals, Clemson University and even Florida State. Rebel Apparel products have also been featured in a few shows on Netflix, including mega-hit series “Cheer.”

Junior and first-time Guilford cheerleader Sophie Gray expressed her excitement about her team winning the $8,000 uniform budget. 

“Since it’s my first year cheering ever it was really exciting to be able to gain all of these fun new uniforms,” she said. “Even though there are some complications with COVID-19, I really hope we will be able to get together as a team soon and rep it!”

Guilford has been one of the only colleges in Greensboro without a cheerleading team for years. Now that the College finally has a cheer and dance squad up and running again, school spirit has increased. While students must try out to join the cheer team, Guilford also has a pep club open to all students who enjoy supporting athletes from the sidelines. 

The cheer team is setting a great example for Quaker Nation, not only with their dedication and determination to win the giveaway, but also with their admirable perseverance and hard work amongst all of the unknowns and challenges during the pandemic. Cheer team faculty manager Jalen Pearson commented on the positive qualities evident in the culture of the cheer team.

“From the moment I began working with this group of students, I could see their dedication, passion for hard work, and eagerness to promote high campus morale,” Pearson said. “Much like the rest of the world during these times, the cheer team has had to overcome obstacles and barriers in order to come together both virtually and in person to brainstorm, practice, and compete at the highest of their ability.”

Pearson hopes that the cheer team will remind Quakers that togetherness and perseverance pay off and lead to the greatest rewards. 

“While we may have to be apart as we all battle the pandemic, Guilford College Cheer is always here to remind us that we are in this together. This team is a special bunch and I am excited to see what the future holds.” 

If you are interested in joining the pep club, email cheer captain Lideah Shivley at [email protected] or [email protected] for more information. 

To stay up to date on Quaker Cheer, Sports, Guilford College news and events, and participate in interactive polls and surveys regarding the College, follow Guilford College Cheer’s Instagram page.