Texas Southern University made history Thursday, April 6, after becoming the first HBCU to achieve an NCA National Championship Title.
2023 Spirit Rally National Champions 🏆
Congratulations to @ texassoutherncheer (IG) on becoming the first HBCU team to win the national cheerleading championship!! #TSUProud #TexasSouthern #TSU #TSUCheer pic.twitter.com/BnykOZi15L— TSU Proud 🐾 (@TxsuProud) April 7, 2023
TSU competed in the NCA College Nationals competition, which took place in Daytona Beach, FL, from April 5-9. The Lady Tigers subjugated other teams with their raw score of 96.1 and event score of 95.5875.
Niagara University came in second with an 85.2 raw score and 84.625 event score. Texas A&M Commerce took third place with a 79.8 raw score and a 79.35 event score.
As winners, the Lady Tigers will get to wear their victory through letterman jackets and rings.
“When I first came to TSU, I told them team we’re going to nationals,” Shontrese Comeaux, head coach, said, according to FOX 26 Houston. “When we earned our gold bid at NCA Camp, I told the team, ‘it’s time to go to work.’ I knew this was the year and the team to get the job done. I’m so proud of them and where we’re going to take the cheer program next.”
Intercollegiate Athletics Vice President Dr. Kevin Granger stated TSU’s cheer squad made him proud.
“Words can’t express how proud I am for our cheer team’s national championship,” Granger said. “They’ve worked very hard for this moment over the past several months. To see the long hours they’ve dedicated come to fruition in the form of a national championship is amazing as I want to commend the coaching staff and team members for their efforts. This team has made history at Texas Southern and everyone apart of TSU nation is proud of their accomplishments.”
Other HBCUs that placed in the top 20 were Florida A&M University (FAMU) (third place in the Intermediate All Girl Division I), North Carolina A&T (second place in Intermediate All Girl Division I), Jackson State University (fourth place in Intermediate Small Coed Division I) and Tennessee State University (ninth place in Intermediate Small Coed Division I).
Bethune-Cookman University is an HBCU in Daytona, where the competition took place. Their cheer team took 16th place in Intermediate Small Coed Division I.
