About

Cheerleading at Eastern Tsuga College has a storied history marked by rivalry, a long-standing ban, and a recent revival. The current cheerleading club, re-established after a more than three-decade-long hiatus, is a freshman-only organization focused on becoming competitive and fostering school pride.

 

History

Cheerleading at Eastern Tsuga dates back to the mid-20th century, but it was disbanded in the 1980s following an incident with rival Strawbridge College. Although the details of the incident are unclear, the aftermath was significant enough for the administration to impose a ban on all cheerleading activities for more than a decade. The sport’s absence left a noticeable gap in school spirit, and multiple efforts were made to revive the cheerleading program over the years. However, these attempts were largely unsuccessful, with most dissolving after the students leading the charge graduated.

Cheerleading finally returned in the 2024 fall semester, spearheaded by four freshman cheerleaders: Haley Wegner, McKenzie Walsh, Whitney Cavendish, and Becky Morin. Haley and McKenzie were former cheerleaders at Cordish High School, while Whitney and Becky hailed from East Willingham High School, the latter having narrowly defeated Cordish High in the 2023 conference finals. This high school rivalry initially caused tension between Haley, the former Cordish Cheer Captain, and Whitney, the East Willingham Cheer Captain, who frequently reminded Haley of her team’s victory.

Despite this, McKenzie and Becky, who had become fast friends as summer camp counselors, brought the group together to revive cheerleading at Eastern Tsuga. With some diplomatic ego-stroking, Whitney and Haley agreed to set aside their rivalry and serve as co-captains. As founders of the new cheerleading club, the group established bylaws, including a freshman-only membership requirement, ensuring their control for four years of college.

The squad began by creating a ranked list of potential members, based on personal preferences and a desire to avoid competition for leadership. Recruitment was capped to maintain exclusivity, and the four women agreed that after the first year, the squad would vote on a permanent captain. The cheerleading club’s return marks a fresh start for Eastern Tsuga’s athletic spirit, though its future remains tightly controlled by its ambitious founders.

 

Notable Cheerleaders

• Haley Wegner (Co-Captain)
• Whitney Cavendish (Co-Captain)
• McKenzie Walsh
• Becky Morin