March 26, 2004
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue cheerleading squad will perform its Nationals routine on Tuesday, March 30, at 8 p.m. in Mackey Arena. The performance will be identical to the routine the squad will take to the National Cheerleading Association National Championships in Daytona, Fla.
The live performance in West Lafayette is free of charge, and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following its performance at Mackey Arena, the cheerleading squad will take its show on the road, competing in the National Cheerleading Association National Championships preliminary round on April 1. The finals are scheduled for April 2. Purdue is one of 13 Division I-A schools competing for the national championship.
The top five teams' performances in the finals will be telecast by CBS on April 17 at a time to be announced. Check local listings for broadcast time and channel.
Last year's squad finished sixth at the nationals, hosted annually in Daytona, missing the nationally broadcast finals by fractions of a point. In spring of 2002, Purdue placed second in the finals of the national championships, and its performance was aired on CBS.
The Purdue cheerleading squad is coached by former Boilermaker cheerleader Sue Bayley. Bayley has coached the team since 2001. A four-year member of the cheer squad and a 1991 graduate, Bayley has led the Boilermakers to consecutive top-six finishes (2002-03) in the National Cheerleading Association National Championships.