Cheerleading Tradition
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| Cheer and Mascot Appearance Request | ||
| Cheer and Mascot Alumni Association |
The University of Missouri Cheerleaders are an important part of the spirit and atmosphere at Mizzou. They made their first appearance in the 1909-10 school year with an all-male squad called the "Yell Leaders". The white-clad squad was led by a head cheerleader who was sent with the football team on all trips, to gather Missouri support at away games. In the Fall of 1937, three women were added to the squad. The addition of Betty Jacque Smith, Betty Ann Onhemus, and Jean Jones gave new enthusiasm to fans. The girls' uniforms were all white - long pleated skirts, sweaters, ankle sox, and flat-heeled oxfords. The only color notes were the black and gold buttons on their white "beanies" and the huge black and gold "M's" on their sweaters. In 1954 a pep organization called the "Hellcats" formed to coordinate fundraisers to help finance the cheerleaders to away games. During the same year, the cheerleaders were organized under the Student Government Association. In the next several years the cheerleaders prospered, not only growing in size, but also growing in enthusiasm. In the early 1980's the cheerleaders were moved under the direction of the Athletic Department, where the 46 members now reside under the direction of Cynthia Metz.
Metz helped guide the 2019 all-girls squad to a third-place finish at the national competition in her first year. In addition, the large coed squad earned a seventh-place nod with the Truman the Tiger mascot crew placing second.
The University of Missouri cheer program is comprised of three squads, a small co-ed squad for football and men's basketball, a small co-ed squad for football and womens basketball and an all-girl squad for volleyball. Please see our Cheerleader Tryout Information section and our Cheerleader Application in the right sidebar for more details.
Cheerleader Appearance Requests
For information regarding Cheerleader Appearance Requests please download, fill out and return a request form 
, e-mail metzch@missouri.edu or call Cynthia Metz (Cheer Coach/Mascot Coordinator) at (573) 882-6802 (office).
