A ‘Cheer’ful Wave

CHRIS SEGAL
Director of Strategic Planning

There is one NCAA Division 1 team performing without a head coach that still has the ability to get fans in Firestone Fieldhouse pumped and excited.

Despite the stresses of a grueling schedule, the lack of any scholarships, or even being allowed to register early with the other teams, this team prides itself on performing for and connecting with spectators that file in to watch the Waves play.

The 15 girls that comprise the Pepperdine cheerleading squad arrive at the gym camera-ready an hour before men’s basketball, women’s basketball and men’s volleyball games to lead fans — even when the teams themselves do not attract large crowds.

“It’s not like being a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader,” said Jenine Clements, co-captain of the Pepperdine cheerleading squad.

Clements, a senior and third-year member on the squad, stepped up to help guide the team that leads school spirit after the cheer coach stepped down in January.

Far from the stereotype of an image-obsessed cheer captain, Clements smiles while talking about earning the nickname “Enine” last August while talking to a group of women that were interested in trying out for the squad.

“This year the returnees made shirts with everyone’s name on the back, and each letter was individually ironed on,” Clements said. “Apparently before a meeting in Alumni Park the ‘J’ fell off. Since then I’ve had the nickname ‘Enine.’”

As a leader, Clements directs practices, communicates with the Athletic Department, and helps ensure the squad is keeping up with their classes and grades. 

Even after the hours of practice and cheering at games, the Pepperdine cheerleaders will not be seen flipping through the air on any ESPN cheer competitions. The team last competed in Las Vegas three years ago, but now they focus on providing motivation for Pepperdine fans and the athletes.

The members of this team practice two-and-a-half hours twice a week to create routines and dance steps that motivate Pepperdine crowds to get on their feet.

With one to three different games a week, the squad is allowed up to four opportunities to hit the court during timeouts and halftime, depending on what other events and games the Athletic Department has scheduled during the game.

Clements said the team does not consider itself underappreciated by the student body even though some students are unaware that Pepperdine even has a cheer squad on campus.

“Cheerleading is important because it is a good way to get crowds involved even when the team might not be doing so good,” co-cheer captain Lee D’Errico said.

Growing up on a Naval base in Japan, Clements spent her high school years traveling three to 12 hours on the weekends to  be able to cheer at games.

Pepperdine cheerleaders travel with teams but only during WCC playoffs. In the past three years, playoffs have allowed Clements to travel to Spokane, Wash., and Denver, Colo.

Clements has a positive attitude and is supportive as a leader and a friend, D’Errico said. Both captains believe that the women on the squad are not defined by any cheerleader stereotype. Clements describes the girls as fun, cute and intelligent.

Clements was first introduced to the Pepperdine cheerleading squad by a freshmen dormmate.

Following two years on the team she was appointed as one of the captains this summer by the former cheerleading coach.

“The most memorable experiences cheering at Pepperdine was the first WCC [playoff game] and when I made captain,” Clements said.

01-24-2008