University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Bowling Green State University Take Top Cheer Honors; The Ohio State University, University of Minnesota and University of Nevada – Las Vegas Earn Top Dance Honors
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., January 21, 2025 – Varsity Spirit – a division of Varsity Brands – announces the first place finishers at the 2025 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, and Bowling Green State University cheerleading teams, and The Ohio State University, University of Minnesota and University of Nevada – Las Vegas dance teams, among others, took home titles. The elite competition, produced by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and Universal Dance Association (UDA), took place on January 17-19, 2025 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Last week, college cheerleading and dance teams traveled from across the U.S. to compete at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in hopes of winning a national title. The event hosted over 300 teams across 46 states. Cheerleading teams are judged on their stunting and tumbling skills, crowd-leading ability, and overall performance, while the dance competition is judged on choreography, technique, execution, and overall effect. The College Game Day Live division offers entire spirit programs, including the cheer squad, dance team and band program, the chance to recreate their performances and traditions from the sidelines. Throughout the weekend, over 100,000 viewers from all around the world tuned in to Varsity TV to watch their favorite teams compete for a national title.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible athletes who competed at the 2025 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship,” said Bill Seely, President of Varsity Spirit. “The dedication, discipline, and passion displayed by every team were truly remarkable, and we are proud to have hosted the largest crowd in the event’s history to witness their extraordinary performances. Congratulations to all the athletes on their achievements and to this year’s champions for earning the top honors. Your commitment to excellence continues to inspire and elevate the spirit of cheer and dance.”
Division Champions Included:
Division I All Girl: University of West Georgia
Division IA All Girl: University of Mississippi
Division IA All Girl – Game Day – Cheer: University of Nevada- Las Vegas
Division I All Girl – Game Day – Cheer: Sacred Heart University
Division I Coed Cheer: University of West Georgia
Division IA Coed Cheer: University of Alabama
Division IA Game Day – Cheer Only: University of South Florida
Division IA – Game Day (Dance): University of Nevada- Las Vegas
Division IA – Hip Hop: University of Nevada- Las Vegas
Division IA – Jazz: Ohio State University
Division IA – Pom: University of Minnesota
Division IA Spirit Program Game Day (Cheer and Dance): Ohio State University
Division I Game Day – Cheer Only: Southeastern Louisiana University
Division I – Game Day (Dance): Hofstra University
Division I – Hip Hop: Utah Valley University
Division I – Jazz: Hofstra University
Division I – Pom: Cal State University Fullerton
Open All Girl: Northwest Community College
Open All Girl Game Day – Cheer: Pearl River Community College
Open Coed Cheer: Shelton State Community College
Open Coed Game Day – Cheer: Northwest Community College
Open – Game Day (Dance): St Cloud State University
Open – Hip Hop: Northwest Community College
Open – Jazz: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Open – Pom: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Open Small Coed Cheer: Iowa Western Community College
Open Small Coed Game Day – Cheer: Hinds Community College
Open Spirit Program Game Day (Cheer and Dance): Long Island University
Open Spirit Program Game Day LIVE: Grand Canyon University
Small Coed Division I: University of West Georgia
Small Coed Division IA: Bowling Green State University
Small Coed Division IA Game Day – Cheer: University of Minnesota
Small Coed Division I Game Day – Cheer: Butler University
Division IA Mascot: University of Cincinnati
Open Mascot: University of Delaware
Coed Partner Stunt: Weber State University
Girls 4 Group Stunt: University of West Georgia
Varsity Spirit live-streamed both championships on Varsity TV, a website dedicated to exclusive live coverage and video libraries of Varsity Spirit cheer and dance competitions. Videos of the routines are available for fans who were otherwise unable to attend, and full results listings are available on Varsity TV. The championships will air on ESPN2 and ESPNU beginning in the spring of 2025. Viewers can check their local listings for air times.
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, performing arts and yearbook. 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 employees have been dedicated to celebrating 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 success and create memorable experiences for young people, Varsity Brands partners with schools to elevate the student experience through sports and spirit. The company’s unique but interrelated businesses—BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit—promote youth participation and celebrate accomplishments. Varsity Brands provides customizable offerings to a wide range of institutions, including educational, religious, sports, and corporate organizations. Through its dedicated employees and independent representatives, Varsity Brands reaches its individual and institutional customers each year through competitions, camps, and product offerings.