FLORENCE – The Francis Marion University cheerleading program is rapidly becoming a point of interest to high school cheerleaders and college students who are not just serious about cheering at the college level but who also want to volunteer in the community.

But those lacking in work ethic need not apply according to new Head Coach Cheri Richardson. With practices throughout the week and volunteering for worthy causes on their days off, Richardson is injecting new energy into FMU cheerleading.

"A lot of my time goes into brainstorming ways to build the program here at FMU. Volunteer work seemed to be a natural progression," Richardson said. "I have a lot of ideas of things we need, things I have to do, and how we can bring in more talented cheerleaders every year."

As a graduate of FMU and a student in the school’s M.B.A. program, Richardson has a head start in building a program that fits into the FMU athletics philosophy and the Florence community.

Richardson immediately set a standard of work ethic by scheduling additional practices for the squad to prepare them for a live television broadcast to take place less than one month after tryouts. In addition, she has compiled a list of agencies the cheerleaders will assist on a volunteer basis this year.

“My objective is for the Francis Marion cheerleaders to be leaders who cheer,” Richardson said.

She said this approach should help FMU cheerleading earn the sought-after respect that so often eludes the sport. Richardson also said that a cheerleader's necessity for conditioning and detailed preparation is often missed by the average sports fan.

"This year my goal is to build on the seriousness of the program," she said.

The members of the cheerleading squad for the 2007-08 school year are: