A true team sport: How K-State cheerleaders bring passion, professionalism and purple pride to the field
By Ashley Pauls
K-State Alumni Association
K-State cheerleader Jentree McGivney will always treasure the very first time she
walked through the tunnel at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and out onto the football
field.
She remembers feeling like she was in a movie, only it wasn’t a fictional story —
it was real life: the culmination of years of training, dedication and dreaming.
“Just hearing the roar from the crowd was such an insane experience,” said McGivney,
who is a junior from Abilene, Kansas. “Everything hit me in that moment that all my
hard work paid off, and I was, in fact, a K-State cheerleader. It was such a surreal
moment where everything about it was perfect.”
Every K-State sports fan knows that it just wouldn’t be game day without the cheer
team on the sidelines. While the display of purple pride may look effortless, it takes
a lot of practice to put together routines and stunts. Yet for the cheerleaders, the
effort is always worth it.
“Cheering on the ’Cats is something I’m beyond proud to do,” said Landon Reeves, a
junior from Osage City, Kansas. “The cohesiveness of this team is beyond words, and
I’m so grateful for everything we’ve done. Genuinely that’s what I’ll always remember
after college.”
Getting ready for game day
Leading the charge every game day is Mary Spilski, who is entering her third season
as K-State’s head cheer and mascot coach. During her time at K-State, she’s already
witnessed several major moments for the ’Cats, including the Aer Lingus College Football
Classic in Ireland in 2025, and the return of Collin Klein '11, '19 to K-State to
serve as the new head football coach for the 2026 season.
For the cheer team, prepping for football season starts early. During the summertime,
Spilski plans a couple work weekends for the team to gather together, learn material
and practice stunting. Close to the start of the fall semester, the team has a camp
week. Uniforms and gear are handed out on a Sunday night, and then Monday through
Friday the team is hard at work practicing, during days that last from 9 a.m. to 9
p.m. They also work with the K-State Marching Band and attend multiple events: a “Meet
the ’Cats” fall athletics kickoff for the public, a pep rally in Aggieville and New
Student Convocation.
And that’s all before the first home football game of the season.
“We really throw everybody in there headfirst when they first get here and go straight
for it,” Spilski said. “During the normal season, we practice two to three nights
a week and for three hours each. They spend two mornings a week with our strength
and conditioning coach.”
On football home game days, the team checks in at the stadium five hours before kickoff
— making for an early morning on days where games start at 11 a.m. There’s the team
warm-up, greeting the football players, tailgate appearances, and then joining the
band to hype up the crowd.
“Our football game days are typically nine hours, but they’re our favorite, so we
don't complain,” Spilski said.
Members of the cheer team also appear at K-State basketball and volleyball games.
Even during the off season, the team stays busy.
“The cheer team does a lot of appearances, so along with Willie, all summer long we
have high school and middle school camps around the state. We're out in the community
trying to build that spirit and spread the love a little bit with our fans and with
members of the community.”
McGivney says that interacting with fans — and watching the way kids’ faces light
up — is one of her favorite parts of being on the cheer team.
“They have the biggest smiles, genuine love for the ’Cats, and such contagious joy,”
she said. “I love game days because they remind me that being a K-State cheerleader
is about creating memories not just with each other, but also with the incredible
community KSU has, and inspiring the next generation of Wildcats. It’s so heartwarming
to know that a simple high-five, a picture, or an interaction can really make a child’s
day.”
Teamwork makes the dream work
Spilski said that cheerleading has evolved over the years. What started as a pep club
with cheers and pom poms is now a full-fledged sport.
“They are athletes,” Spilski said. “They are strong. They are physical. They are talented.
They do skills that are extremely dangerous, and we take their safety very seriously.
We are taking a risk every time we're building high pyramids and throwing basket tosses.
They gain those skills: how to be a better athlete, how to be a good competitor, how
to engage the crowd in a way that leaves a lasting impression.”
Spilski emphasizes that cheerleading is all about authentic teamwork, and she teaches
her students that each person on the team has a vital role to play.
“It really does require everybody's participation at every practice,” Spilski said.
“We can't miss because if we're out one person, then it affects an entire stunt group,
which affects an entire pyramid, which affects the entire team. It really does rely
on everybody's cooperation and skill to be able to pull off performances. They learn
that teamwork. They learn how to be a family.”
“Honestly the most enjoyable aspect of being a part of the team is the family and
community we’ve created,” Reeves said. “Game days and competitions are so exciting,
but it’s really about the people. My teammates, our coaches and the connection we
have is truly the most enjoyable and unforgettable part of all of this.”
A lifelong impact
When it comes time to graduate, K-State cheerleaders may have to say goodbye to their
experiences on the sidelines. However, they will carry lifelong lessons and friendships
with them forever.
“It’s taught me so much about resilience,” Reeves said of his time as a cheerleader.
“You can’t control everything, but you can control your effort, your attitude and
your preparation for it all. Which is honestly a lesson I’ll use in any scenario after
graduation.”
“Patience, kindness and hard work can get you far in life,” McGivney said of the lessons
she’s learned from cheerleading. “Never give up on a dream; you have to persevere
when times get tough. No dream is too big if you are willing to work for it.”
Spilski that many cheerleaders remain best friends after graduating and stay in touch
over the years.
“We are actually trying to start a more of an alumni base,” she said. “We've been
trying to reach out to alumni and get something together this year for Homecoming.”
And former cheerleaders are always invited back home to campus to support the current
team on game days.
“We love seeing them at football games, yelling from the stands,” Spilski said of
alumni. “All of our graduated seniors, it's always fun to see everybody come back
and get to actually be a fan because they've always had a job. It's fun to see them
be able to sit back and watch the game.”
>>>Learn more about how you can connect with and support the K-State cheer team.