The University of Idaho Vandal spirit squad has faced many challenges while trying to adjust to the uncertainty the pandemic brings. Vandal cheer and dance spent their season creating and adjusting the safety protocols so they could ensure they were getting the practice they needed.
Cheer and dance were unable to perform at any games last fall because Vandal Football’s season was postponed until this spring. The spirit squad continued to practice through the cancellation of the Vandal football’s fall season by following strict protocols and guidelines. These protocols included temperature checks before practice, regularly asking the team if they were showing symptoms and always wearing masks.
“I think my main concern of the season was just trying to keep everyone safe and healthy,” coach Katie Doman said. “Overall, we didn’t have any specific outbreaks within our team, we had a strict protocol, and I was terrified of the thought of someone getting sick. Our protocol ensured we were keeping everyone safe by social distancing, using hand sanitizer, wearing masks and temperature checks.”
Doman said the most difficult part of the season was having to think outside the box when it came to training. The squad did virtual practices, beginning with trial runs over the summer to determine whether the method would work.
“With this season being such a unique situation, this team is probably one of the closest teams I have coached,” Doman said. “The pandemic has channeled an outlet in everyone, which has brought the team closer together.”
To keep everyone in check throughout this difficult time, Doman said she focused on keeping her leadership stronger than ever by hosting meetings every other week during the fall semester. Those meetings were used to work through different scenarios and issues that came up throughout the season.
“Presenting my side on issues and presenting a side they might not see helped them to be more reasonable,” Doman said. “I also reminded them regularly that this a tough time and people are going through a lot of stuff.”
With the help of Doman, senior cheer captain Peyton Goodman was able to step into a leadership role and guide the team through a difficult time.
“Being a leader means you have to be there for people, and you have stepped into a role which people look up to you,” Goodman said. “I have this reminder in the back of my head that reminds me to be positive around the team. Being able to vent, even to your mom or coach, is how you can get through these frustrations caused by the pandemic, as well as not letting those attitudes affect your performance.”
The Vandal spirit squad was able to cheer on the team at the three of the Vandal Football home games in the spring season. Goodman said her junior and senior seasons both helped her grow as a person and a performer, though they helped in different ways and one was significantly more difficult to handle than the other.
“I am excited for the Vandal spirit squad to come back next season and be able to be more involved with the community,” Goodman said. “The community involvement I had in Moscow has made my cheer experience. Moscow supports all aspects of University of Idaho and the cheer team, pandemic or not.”
Morgan McDonough can be reached at [email protected]