How UC Cheer builds Bearcat pride from generation to generation

The lights beam on Fifth Third Arena, the student section roars with energy and the Bearcat hypes the crowd with adrenaline and enthusiasm. While most fans come for the game, it’s University of Cincinnati’s (UC) Cheer Team that brings the arena’s energy to life.

The Cheer Team’s efforts often go unrecognized, but their presence plays a consistent role in the game day experience.

From historic game day chants to intricate pyramids, UC Cheer emphasizes teamwork and athleticism through their routines. Beyond their cheers and performances, the team fosters a vibrant atmosphere for both players and fans.

UC alum and former Bearcats cheerleader, Tabby Fagan, has been leading UC’s Cheerleading Team since 1994 and is widely recognized in her sport. Under her leadership, the team has won multiple national championships, gained national attention and showcased UC on some of the biggest stages. 

“I think myself, along with my coaches, bring a little consistency,” Fagan said. With experience ranging from cheering UC men’s basketball in the Final Four to being a lifelong Bearcat fan, UC’s Cheer Coaching Staff helps establish a team built on tradition and spirit.

“Our coaching staff plays such a great role in preparing us for big moments,” UC Cheerleader Jordan Chaitoff said.

Chaitoff, a sophomore from Solon, Ohio, originally chose UC for its Education Program and the perfect balance of a big school with a home-like campus feel.

Despite having an athletic background and being known for his spirit, he initially thought college would be the first time since he was two years old that he wouldn’t be playing a sport.

This changed when a friend encouraged him to check out UC’s Cheer Team. After displaying his talent and dedication, he earned a spot halfway through the 2023-24 UC Football season and has been an active member since.

While Chaitoff found his way to UC Cheer unexpectedly, for others like Karlee Shay, cheerleading has always been a passion. As a graduate student studying Sports Administration, Shay brings her experience and enthusiasm to the team.

Shay, originally from Cincinnati, has been cheering since a young age, heavily influenced by her parents who were also cheerleaders. “My mom cheered here at UC, so I've always wanted to follow her lead,” Shay said. As a second-year graduate student, Shay’s love for sports continues to grow.

UC Cheerleading is best known for their work on game days, but their year-round commitment extends beyond the playing field and court. “We try to add value in a lot of different ways to different parts of campus,” Fagan said.

One of the many events UC’s Cheer Team is a part of is Bearcats Bound Orientation (BBO) which takes place during the summer and is designed for freshmen, displaying what UC is all about through tours, academic sessions and connecting with staff and resources.

Coach Fagan pushes her team into, “digging their roots deep and being a Bearcat,” by staying actively involved and engaged across various parts of campus.

While UC Cheerleaders bring energy and spirit to every game and campus event, their dedication comes with its own set of challenges. From balancing academics to managing tough schedules, the team constantly pushes through obstacles.

Additionally, the cheerleading team faces a unique challenge due to not being recognized as an NCAA-sanctioned sport. Cheerleading operates in a different category, which can impact funding and resources. Despite these challenges, the team focuses on their strengths and opportunities.

For Chaitoff, embracing the full Bearcat experience goes beyond cheerleading. “I think it's not just wearing a T-shirt or rooting for the football team on a Saturday,” Chaitoff said.

Whether it's attending a UC College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) show, going to the dining hall or simply engaging with a student, he believes in spreading positivity everywhere he goes.

Shay, who attended and cheered at the University of Hawaii for undergraduate, has been able to compare the two, "Cheering in Hawaii has its own unique vibe because of the island setting, but I really love the community events here at UC. We get to do so much beyond game day—like going to the American Heart Association events and other random community engagements. It’s fun because people don’t always see that side of the cheer team,” Shay said.

Community engagement is an integral part of UC’s Cheer Team commitment, and they try to spread as much positivity in the Greater Cincinnati area as they can.

Chaitoff’s love, passion and dedication for UC was solidified during one unforgettable moment. “My favorite game was my first-ever UC Men's Basketball game last year against Texas Christian University (TCU),” Chaitoff said. “They were ranked, and everyone stormed the court. It was just such a full-circle moment of, ‘Wow, I really made it.’”

As spring commencement approaches, Shay reflects on her time at UC and shares her favorite cheer memory. “My little sister's actually also on the cheer team, so just cheering my first football game with her, because she's a freshman and I'm graduating,” Shay said.

For Shay, watching her younger sister, Kellee Shay, grow and develop has been a special experience, making their shared moments with UC Cheer even more meaningful.

UC Cheer is more than flips and chants, they contribute to campus culture and the Cincinnati community. From cheering game days to engaging in community events, the impact of UC Cheer will go on long after the buzzer sounds.