EXHIBITS

Where the Sagebrush Grows: A History of USU Homecoming Traditions: Cheerleaders and Songleaders

Cheerleaders and Songleaders

In the 1930s, cheerleaders were young men elected by the student body to be in charge of school spirit and student section cheering at sporting events. There were usually two positions available: the cheerleader or yell-leader (who would do tricks and other crazy antics on the field or court to get the attention of the crowd) and the songleader (who would lead and sometimes write spirited chants or songs for the students to sing).[1] The tradition of entire cheerleading squads did not begin until the late 1940s. By the mid-1950s, USU had welcomed a separate cheerleading squad composed almost entirely of women.[2]

This page from the 1931 Buzzer shows the yell leader and the song leader who had been elected by the student body in 1930. Their names were Asa Spackman and John Anderson.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, University Archives, Record Group 25.5/7, 1931.)

Sherry Peck, Max Adams, and Bonnie Mae Hill were elected cheer-leaders in 1945. [click image to enlarge]

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, University Archives, Record Group 25.5/8)

Cheerleaders cheer at a Homecoming Game in 1965.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Photographic Services collection, P0376, box 40, Sleeve 8254c)

A cheer team of young girls marched in the Homecoming Parade of 1950.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 7, Image 2043d)

The 1962 Cheerleading Squad at a Homecoming Game.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Photographic Services collection, P0376, Box 40, Sleeve 8254b, Image 24)

The cheerleaders from 1964 cheer at the Homecoming Game.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Homecoming photograph collection, P0387, Box 1, Folder 11, Image 7.)

A group photo of cheerleaders, c. 1965.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Utah State University Student Activities Photographs collection, P0312, Box 1, Image 104.)

A group photo of cheerleaders from the late 60s.

(Utah State University Special Collections & Archives, Utah State University Student Activity Photographs collection, P0312, Box 1, Image 103.)

[1] Utah State University, “Buzzer 1931” (1931). USU Buzzer Yearbook. 22. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/buzzer/22.

[2] Utah State University Photographic Services Collection, 1943–1984. USU_P0376. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library Special Collections & Archives. Logan, Utah.