Release by Director of Athletic Communications Luke Tracy 

RINDGE, NH (Spring 2024) – The Franklin Pierce University department of athletics is pleased to officially launch the school's first department backed Spirit Squad in fall of 2024.

The program will showcase competitive Cheer and Dance teams at events ranging from the sidelines of home sporting events to center stage at the NCA/NDA level.

For years, cheerleaders and dancers have passed through Franklin Pierce University and competed on club teams. With the launch of the Franklin Pierce Spirit Squad, these student-athletes will officially be elevated.

Massachusetts native Jill Markley will lead the Raven Spirit Squad as the program's first official head coach. Markley kicked off her career in 2002 and over the last 22 years has coached at the youth, scholastic, collegiate and all-star level. "I've spent half my life trying to get kids to college," Markley said as she nears her first season in Rindge and now, she's at the helm ahead of the programs inaugural season. Her resume is chalk full of titles at the league, regional, state and national level and most recently, Markley was named the 2023 Coach of the Year for the City of Gardner, Massachusetts. Through the years of success, Markley said it's not just trophies that matter to her, "my biggest win loss record lies in how my kids handle adversity. I hope that is something they get out of the program."

Further information about the Spirit Squad's inaugural season will be released as it comes available.