Coach Hope Villines has transformed the Fresno City College cheerleading team from the stereotypical to athletes who sweat, bleed and dedicate everything to the sport.

“When I first got here, we had a lot to prove as a program,” Villines said.

Coach Villines took over the position as cheer coach in 2008 when the program was on its last leg. It had almost become extinct because of mismanagement. It took Villines two years to turn the program around.

The team has changed a lot over the years; interest in the team has gone up significantly and more people show up for tryouts.  The quality of the applicants is much higher in talent level and respect.

“It’s not about you; it’s about the team you’re cheering for, the sport you’re cheering for,” Villines tells her team constantly.

Every year, the season begins with a tryout in the spring, then training through the season in order to prepare for summer camp. The cheerleaders train as hard as any other sport team on campus.

“We work together, motivate each other and work as one instead as individuals,” said Freshman Audrinna Tavarez.

The team gets ready for football season in the fall, followed by the basketball season. Cheer takes place through a span of 11 months out of the year. This year’s team is a new group for Villines, her smallest group since she’s been at FCC.

Villines instills a work ethic into her athletes that go beyond the field. “I want them to perform at a college level on the field and succeed in the classroom,” said Villines. “My athletes must keep their grades high all year long.”

Since Villines took over, numerous cheerleaders have continued the sport in other arenas.  Two former students are currently at Fresno State and one at Sacramento State.

“As a coach it’s my job to get them ready for a four-year university,” said Villines.

Villines’ goal is to build a cheerleading scholarship program at the college.

She said, “We’ve built the respect here at FCC.”