The College of the Holy Cross cheer team first took the stage nearly a century ago, and the team is composed of 15 students. In 2023, the team transitioned under the Office of Student Involvement, recognizing the group as a student club. Since then, the team has been honored for their livelihood and spirit as they cheer on our men’s football team and women and men’s basketball team. Throughout the school year, they also have a presence at many campus events, including Open House events, Accepted Students Day, Move-In Day, the Christmas Tree Lighting, and more. Their practices run year-round, beginning in August with cheer camp and culminating at the end of April. During the season, practices are held twice a week, for 2.5 hours, before games. Practices consist of conditioning, polishing routines, as well as stunting, improving technique, and skill development.Â
In early September, HerCampus Holy Cross senior editor Callie Gillan spoke with senior Julia Biamonte about her experiences on the cheer team. She highlighted how cheerleading reflects the Jesuit tradition as well as the team’s recent transition to the Office of Student Involvement. Julia has been a part of the Holy Cross Cheerleading team since her freshman year on the hill. A dancer since age two, she began cheerleading in her sophomore year of high school. During freshman year orientation, a quick conversation with her orientation leader encouraged her to learn more about the program. Julia anxiously tried out for the team. “I recall stretching everyday and practicing my jumps in hopes of making the team. I remember right before tryouts freaking out to my roommate and saying I wasn’t going, but I did,” Biamonte said. Upon joining the team, she easily recognized the welcoming and tight knit community that existed. During Julia’s junior year she was selected as team captain. Since then she’s “had so much fun building a strong, connected team through bonding traditions like the Big-Little system.” One of her favorite parts of being captain is “finding ways to bring everyone closer together, especially during camp over the summer where you can really see friendships form”Â
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Question: What does being a leader mean to you, and how has cheer helped you grow into that role?
Developing leadership skills has been one of the most rewarding aspects for Julia as part of the cheerleading team. In order to be a stellar cheerleader, Julia revealed the importance of a supportive environment, including high energy maintenance, collaboration, trust, and confidence. The phrase “leading with joy, which the office of student involvement helped develop, assists with bringing positivity to the games,” she reported. Julia emphasized being a source of purple pride. She reflected on the interactions she has had with alumni and young children who return to Fitton Field and are eager to meet the cheerleaders. “Joy is threaded throughout all that we do; it keeps us going, sustains us, connects us and reminds us why we lead,” she shared.
Question: How does cheer both support the mission of Student Involvement and reflect the values of the Jesuit tradition in your role?
Julia drew parallels between Holy Cross’ mission statement and the Jesuit mission. She reflected on the Jesuit virtue of “men and women working with and for each other.” Through cheer, Julia explained how the group is tasked with “leading cheers to support other groups” as well as “embodying the best version of themselves” as they are always in the spotlight. The group “works with and for others on and off the field.” “This year, we are working more closely with the band to create an even stronger game-day atmosphere, including performing our halftime show together. Through this partnership, we continue to carry on long-standing traditions that have been part of our school since 1843. The union of band and cheer helps preserve cherished elements, like our fight song, while strengthening the sense of community and school spirit,” she revealed. Additionally, student-led initiatives, like the creation of Spirit, have provided a leadership platform that encourages students to focus not just on technical skills, but also on training, teamwork, and broader aspects of cheer.
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Question: What does cheer represent for you?
For Julia, cheer has “been a source of community.” The group “works really hard to create a unit and that is why we have such tight relationships.” The program transition within the Office of Student involvement allowed “for rebuilding, truly embodying what the Holy Cross mission is as well as promoting inclusivity.”
Question: How has cheer impacted your life?Â
Throughout the interview, Julia expressed the new experiences she had been granted after joining the Holy Cross cheer team. For example, she was able to explore Worcester in a way she otherwise would not have. Last year, the team volunteered on Working for Worcester Day, an annual community wide project site clean up experience. Additionally, they marched in the annual Worcester St. Patrick’s Day parade. In 2024, her team traveled to Iowa City to support the Holy Cross women’s basketball team in their NCAA first-round matchup against the highly ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, led by national player of the year Caitlin Clark. She has been grateful to witness an organization on campus combine everything that Holy Cross has to offer. On November 21, 2025, Julia and the team cheered on the Crusaders football team as they faced the Georgetown Hoyas at Fenway Park for the first time in 70 years.Â
Question: How have you been working to promote the cheer team and build connections both on and off campus?
This year Julia has worked tirelessly to promote the cheer team and boost its visibility. She’s spent time rebuilding their Instagram page, including a wider variety of content as well as collaborating with the main Holy Cross Instagram for game-day takeovers. The team also has launched a new series, joining efforts with local Worcester businesses. Recently, the team created a video with Fresh Monkee smoothie shop. “We’re hoping this series gives prospective students a look into local businesses that our team loves—a little “guide to Worcester” from the Cheer team’s perspective.” The Cheer team has also started expanding their outreach along with the Admissions team at Holy Cross. Thus, if prospective students are interested in cheer, they will have the opportunity to shadow a student/cheer member.Â