Cheerleading has been part of PNW Cheer Coach Alexis Gardner’s life since she was 6.

“I started cheering for the Pop Warner program … then later participated in competitive cheer with Young Champions,” she said. “In school, I cheered for Griffith Middle School and Griffith High School. 

“Moving on to college, I cheered for Purdue Northwest and was a captain for the team all three years,” said Gardner. “In college, I taught cheerleading, gymnastics, tumbling and dance classes at the local YMCA in Hammond.”

She has been involved with PNW’s cheerleading for the last six years. 

“I cheered on the team all three years while attending the university and immediately moved on to the head coach position after graduation,” said Gardner. “The 2024-2025 season marks my third year as head coach for the program.” 

While the season technically began in August, it gets intense in November, with the start of basketball season. Cheerleaders do sideline and halftime performances at all men’s and women’s home games. 

But Gardner would like her team to be even busier.

“We would love to support the team on the road in the future,” she said.

The cheerleading team is also present at many campus events.

“We perform at the Fall Sports Festival to kick off the beginning of the semester and fall sports season,” said Gardner. “After this, you can catch the cheerleading team with our biggest performance of the year at Late Night Madness (on Oct. 19), preparing for basketball season.”

Support for the team has grown.  For the first time, the cheerleading squad this year will be able to raise funds for the program alongside PNW athletic teams working events at Notre Dame University in South Bend.

“This year, our team has had the opportunity to work with Notre Dame to fundraise by working football games,” said Gardner.  “PNW cheerleading participates in fundraising events with the other sports teams throughout the school year. We are very thankful to have the opportunity to work alongside the other sports teams while fundraising for the program.” 

The coach has plans for her team.

“PNW cheerleading has come a long way over the last three years,” she said. “Our program has been and continues to increase in both retention rates and number of athletes on the roster. … As cheerleading is gaining popularity and recognition within the university setting, I look forward to increasing skills and knowledge and building talent within the program.”

But most of all, Gardner wants to offer support for her athletes.

“My primary goal … is to establish a fun, competitive and enriching environment for student-athletes to flourish in their academic and athletic careers while serving the university during their time in undergraduate studies,” she said.