” 5-4-3-2 give a cheer for SMU, M-U-S-T-A-N-G-S. Go Stangs go,” Briana Darensburg shouts from the sidelines of Ford Stadium, along with 34 other SMU cheerleaders who cheer for the Mustangs.

Darensburg is one of the 14 members to join the SMU Spirit Team’s new Blue Cheer Team this year. The Spirit Team now includes two separate cheer teams thanks to new coach Brandy McCollum.

McCullom, a Texas native, recently returned to her home state after four years of helping her husband coach cheerleading at Oklahoma State, McCollum’s alma mater.

It has been four weeks since McCollum has been on the Hilltop and already she says she feels great. She is responsible for coaching both the Red and Blue teams at SMU.

” I’m very picky about how they perform, the way they look and the things they do. I expect a lot, and so far its going ok,” McColllum says about her role at SMU.

McCullom must be doing something right; she has already received a lot of positive feedback.

“The new coach is very organized, it’s awesome,” says junior accounting major and Red team member Morgan McVicker. 

“She likes things a certain way, which is great because its makes us push hard, and if we mess up we fix it. We are starting to look more like a collegiate team.”

The Spirit Team means business, and with the addition of a new team this year there is added competition. 

The teams are organized based on talent. The new Blue team allows people with a passion for cheering to show their spirit at the sidelines of home football games, as well as at some home volleyball matches and basketball games. 

While the blue team only practices two days a week, the red team practices at least three times a week for a total of six hours or more. 

“We all lead by example,” says junior Red team member Ryan Ross. “When people see our positive attitudes its raises their moral and spirit. We are here to support the athletes, and to provide extra entertainment. It gives us an opportunity to show off our athleticism skills as well.”

Of the 18 women and three men on the small coed Red team, all can successfully land a round off handspring back tuck at the least and each member has a good knowledge of overall cheer leading.  

In addition to cheering all Mustang home football and basketball games, the team also travels to some away games, and competes in the National Cheerleaders Association Championship every spring.

SMU is the birthplace of modern cheer leading. Former SMU alumni cheerleader Lawrence Herkimer, who originated the pom-pom, spirit stick and the Herkie jump, founded the NCA.

Last year the SMU cheer leading team placed third at NCA, adding to their two second place wins in 2008 and 2009. 

This April, the Red team will compete in the NCA Daytona Beach International Championship. 

Until then, the spirited team will continue to practice and decorate the SMU sidelines, cheering on the Mustangs full heartedly.

With football season just kicking off, the cheer squads are ready to show off their skills.

And how does the team handle the fall Texas heat?

“We make sure to stay hydrated. It’s important to drink water whenever we get a break,” says Darensburg.

 Despite temperatures in the nineties last weekend, the SMU cheerleaders appeared flawless with big grins on their faces, cheering proudly and loudly adding volume to the fans in the bleachers.

Look for the Spirit Team at SMU’s next football game this Saturday as the Mustangs take on the Washington State Cougars, and the cheerleaders take on the sidelines.