UCF and University of Alabama Take Top Cheer Honors; University of Tennessee, The Ohio State University and San Diego State University Earn Top Dance Honors at the 2020 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Varsity Spirit—the global leader in cheerleading, dance team and band apparel, camps and competitions, and a division of Varsity Brands, the market leader in team sports, school spirit and achievement recognition—is pleased to announce that UCF and the University of Alabama cheerleading teams, and the University of Tennessee, The Ohio State University and San Diego State University dance teams secured first place finishes at the 2020 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, respectively. The elite competition, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association and the Universal Dance Association, took place this weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort® in Florida. The event hosted 5,500 of the country's top college cheerleaders, dancers and mascots from 245 teams with representation from 44 states and six countries.

This past weekend, college cheerleading and dance teams had their moment in the spotlight at the competition. The event hosted 133 teams in the cheerleading divisions and 112 teams in the dance team divisions. Cheerleading teams are judged on their stunting and tumbling skills, crowd-leading abilities and overall performance, while the dance competition is judged on choreography, technique, execution and overall effect. The College Game Day divisions, which offer cheer and dance teams the chance to recreate their performances from the sidelines, are the newest divisions, and have greatly expanded since they debuted in 2017.

"Each year, teams from across the country come together at the UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship to showcase their skills and represent their universities. These athletes have spent hundreds of hours raising spirit on their campuses, leading their crowds at games and pep rallies, and supporting their schools' athletic teams," said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. "It's truly an honor to host this event, where we can recognize these young people for their hard work, dedication and talent."

Winners from Division 1A included:

Coed Cheer:  UCF
All Girl Cheer:  University of Alabama
Pom:  University of Tennessee
Jazz:  The Ohio State University
Hip Hop:  San Diego State University
Coed Cheer Game Day:  University of Tennessee
All Girl Cheer Game Day:  University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dance Game Day:  University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Mascot:  University of Colorado Boulder

Varsity Spirit live streamed the event all weekend on Varsity TV, and full routine videos are available for fans who were otherwise unable to attend. The competitions will also air on ESPNU and ESPN2 starting in February. Viewers can check their local listings for air times. Full results are available on Varsity TV.

About Varsity Spirit
Memphis-based Varsity Spirit, the driving force behind cheerleading's dynamic transformation into the high-energy, athletic activity it is today, is the leading global source for all things spirit, including cheerleading, dance team and performing arts. A division of Varsity Brands, Varsity Spirit is a leader in uniform innovation, as well as educational camps, clinics and competitions, impacting more than a million athletes each year. Focused on safety, entertainment and traditional school leadership, Varsity Spirit's 5,000+ employees have been dedicated to celebrating school spirit through its brands since 1974. For more information about Varsity Spirit or Varsity Brands, please visit varsity.com or varsitybrands.com.

About Varsity Brands
With a mission to inspire achievement and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands elevates the student experience, promotes participation and celebrates achievement through three unique but interrelated businesses:  BSN SPORTS, a Varsity Sport Brand; Varsity Spirit; and Herff Jones, A Varsity Achievement Brand.  Together, these assets promote personal, school and community pride through their customizable products and programs to elementary and middle schools, high schools, and colleges and universities, as well as church organizations, professional and collegiate sports teams and corporations.  Through its 8,600 dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year via catalog, telesales, e-commerce sites and direct sales channels.

MEDIA CONTACTS 
Sheila Noone
Varsity Spirit
[email protected]; 901-251-5959

Samantha Coulombe
Rubenstein Public Relations
[email protected]; 212-805-3081

SOURCE Varsity Spirit