Some may think cheer and dance are one team at Loyola.

According to head cheer and dance coach Courtney Cadore, at Loyola, the difference is simple: they are two separate NAIA competitive sports.

Coach Cadore said both teams implemented a few changes this school year.

“We have new competitive cheer and dance choreographers who have experience with NAIA routines and two additional practices to our practice schedule,” Cadore said.

With her time as a collegiate cheerleader and current NFL cheerleader, Cadore had ten years of professional and collegiate cheerleading experience when she joined Loyola.

With her experience, she has made it a point to develop both of the teams in many different aspects of their sport.

In the fall, the cheer team attends home volleyball games in order to prepare for basketball season, which involves both cheer and dance teams.

The student-athletes are also required to participate in virtual team meetings, as well as workouts during school breaks, according to Cadore.

As a result, the teams have a more vigorous practice schedule. They have new choreographers for game day and competition routines and have begun recording practices and watching the film. They have also gained professional development and have made it a point to develop both the team’s cheer and dance routines.