Community

Marking 40 years of Mountaineer spirit: Cheerleaders from 7 decades to return for Homecoming

WVU Alumni Cheerleaders celebrate 40 years of Mountaineer spirit

MORGANTOWN – For four decades, the West Virginia University Alumni Cheerleader Association has helped keep the spirit of Mountaineer cheerleading alive long after its members left the sidelines as students.

The association is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, marking four decades of bringing former WVU cheerleaders together to celebrate their shared experiences, reconnect with the university and support the next generation of Mountaineer cheerleaders.

While the members may have graduated years ago, their connection to the program remains strong. Each fall, Homecoming provides an opportunity to return to Morgantown, reunite with former teammates and take part in traditions that have helped make WVU special.

This year, alumni from the 1960s, '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000s, 2010s and 2020s will be on the sidelines.

"It's so great to see everyone come together from all the generations of alumni we have from the cheer squad here," said Rebecca Tucker, founder of the association. "When I was a cheerleader at WVU, we had a group of women return to campus and cheer with us during a homecoming game that had been here in the '60s and '70s. Once I graduated, some of my friends and I decided we should try to organize something for those of us who were connected with the program."

Tucker stepped down from her administrative role with the association 15 years ago, but remains involved and says the next generation of alumni shows the promise needed to maintain what's been built over the years.

"I had served for 25 years and thought it would be time to let some of the younger members take over," Tucker said.

The association’s Homecoming activities have included participating in the annual parade on High Street, cheering alongside the current squad during the football game and attending a reception honoring members of the cheerleading program’s history.

For alumni, the weekend offers a chance to experience familiar traditions from a different perspective.

The association has also organized opportunities for members to attend WVU athletic events together throughout the year, including football games and other university sporting events. Those gatherings allow former cheerleaders to maintain friendships formed during their college years while remaining connected to the university.

The group operates as an interest organization through the WVU Alumni Association, giving former cheerleaders a way to stay involved with the school regardless of where life takes them after graduation.

But the association’s role extends beyond reunions and celebrations.

Its connection with WVU’s current cheerleading program helps bridge generations of Mountaineers, preserving the traditions and memories that have shaped the program over the years. The alumni’s presence during Homecoming gives current cheerleaders an opportunity to meet those who once stood in their place, sharing the responsibility of representing the university and rallying its fans.

The current squad plays an important role in WVU’s athletic atmosphere, leading cheers and performing at major sporting events. The work requires athleticism, preparation and teamwork, with cheerleaders helping create the energy that surrounds Mountaineer football and other university events.

For alumni, returning to the sidelines is a reminder of those experiences and the relationships that remain long after their final game as students.

The association’s 40th anniversary celebrates that lasting connection. One built around school pride, friendships and a shared commitment to West Virginia University.

As another Homecoming brings generations of Mountaineers back to Morgantown, the alumni cheerleaders will have another opportunity to celebrate the program’s past while supporting its future.

Four decades after the association began, its mission remains tied to the same familiar call heard across Mountaineer Field.