Shania Thorpe was named head coach of the Averett University cheerleading program in May 2021. She also serves as the Averett dance head coach, a position she accepted in March 2021.
Thorpe joined the Averett family with a wealth of experience in dance and choreography. In addition to founding her own choreography business, she has worked as a choreographer and diversity consultant with Lynchburg Dance Connections since 2018. In addition, she has participated as a dancer or guest choreographer at multiple academies and showcases, as well as assisted with choreography in theatre performances. Â
Thorpe takes over a cheer program that in addition supporting the Cougars at home events, it also competes at events. Averett cheerleading won the 2018 and 2019 Christian Cheerleaders of America (CCA) grand national championships, took first place at the 2019 Clash of the Carolinas and netted the program’s highest scoring total in a second-place finish at the 2020 CCA competition.
A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Thorpe earned her bachelor's degree in strategic communication from Liberty University in December 2017. She is currently pursuing her master of business administration from Averett.
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