New Coach in Action- The TJ Cheer squad has a new addition.
New to TJ, Cheer Coach Patrice Brown brings spirit to Thomas Jefferson High School. Photo by Clayton Bridges.
“She motivates us to be the best cheerleaders we can be,” said Senior Naomi Moore. Becoming the new coach at TJ, Patrice Brown has taken the slate and wiped it clean.
As a former cheerleader for William C. Hinkley High School, Brown grew up in Aurora, Colorado. “I started cheering when I was six, but stopped for a while to pursue other sports. I then returned to cheering my junior year of high school and haven’t stopped since.” Brown has also been part of many clubs, camps and organizations throughout the years. “I attended NCA and UCA Cheer Camps during the summers of 2007 and 2010 and was also a member of the Cheer Phi Leader Organization, “ said Brown. Being a part of these clubs and organizations afforded her the skills to take her squad to the National Cheerleading Association Nationals in 2008-2011. But high school was just the beginning of Brown’s cheerleading career.
“I don’t think I fell in love with cheering until I cheered in college,” Brown said. As captain of her college cheer squad at Grambling State University in the fall of 2010 she took on the responsibility of teaching cheers and routines, overseeing training and practices, and keeping her squad together as one. “As soon as I graduated from college I knew I wasn’t done with the cheer world yet.” Becoming the new coach at TJ, Brown has taken the slate and wiped it clean by improving the cheer squad and taking it to higher heights.
Brown says, “As much as I would like to cheer again, I think I get more satisfaction coaching and being able to share the knowledge I have about the sport I love! This is my first year coaching and it’s definitely a learning experience; so far I absolutely love it.”
“Coach Brown has shown her cheerleaders that they can do anything they set their minds to. With lots of hard work she will take us to the top,” says Senior Cheerleader Geneva Gaines. Under the coaching styles of Brown, the cheer squad spends a lot of time conditioning to stay in good shape, whether its running, sit-ups, crunches, push-ups or even lumber jacks. Stunting is also a part of the girls’ daily routine, including basket tosses, liberties and extensions; girls are flying all over the place.
All in all, Brown has become a great addition to the TJ staff and is making a difference in the Spartan community.
