SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Cheerleaders have played an important role in the intercollegiate athletics gameday experience at Wittenberg University for decades. Starting in the 2026-27 school year and thanks to the support of alumni donors, cheerleading opportunities for Wittenberg students will be expanded and enhanced with the sponsorship of the University’s first-ever competitive cheer program.

According to Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler ’80, creating a competitive cheer program, while continuing to provide game-day cheerleading opportunities, is a winning formula for Wittenberg. The program will be led by Marley Hosier, a graduate of nearby Northwestern High School in Springfield and a member of the elite cheer squad at The Ohio State University from 2022-25.

“We are excited to expand our existing cheerleader program into a competitive varsity program” Agler said. “We could not have found a better individual than Marley Hosier to lead and build our program. Marley is a champion and is entrenched in the local, regional, and national cheerleading community.

“She has a great vision,” Agler added. “Part of Marley’s plan for the program is to host clinics and to share her knowledge and skills, which will be a great addition to the cheerleading events Wittenberg already hosts, including the OHSAA Sideline Cheer State Championships each December.”

Competitive cheerleading is not an NCAA-sanctioned sport, but college cheerleading programs have opportunities to participate in national competitions. Hosier was a member of two Ohio State teams that won Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) national championships in her collegiate career, and she participated in the game-day cheer squads as well, frequently performing before huge stadium crowds full of raucous Buckeye fans on the biggest stages, including major bowl games and the national championship game in January 2025.

Since joining the Wittenberg staff earlier this month, Hosier has jumped into recruiting aggressively. She hopes to build a program that will compete at a high level immediately while continuing to provide the best in game-day leadership for Wittenberg intercollegiate athletics events.

“I am truly honored to lead the expansion of our cheerleading program into a competitive varsity program,” Hosier said. “Cheerleading has been such an important part of my life, and I am passionate about building a program that not only develops strong athletes but also builds character, leadership, and community.”

Hosier says her goal is to compete at UCA College Nationals in the first year of the program, focusing on the small coed division, while also participating in the small gameday division. She brings advanced proficiency in coed stunting, all-girl stunting, college pyramids, college baskets, and elite tumbling, all of which will equip Wittenberg student-athletes with a well-rounded foundation in the sport.

Maintaining a consistent game-day presence at Wittenberg intercollegiate athletics events is also a priority for Hosier. The competitive opportunities and game-day opportunities will work together to create a meaningful experience for all student-athletes who get involved.

“Wittenberg already has a proud tradition of hosting the OHSAA Sideline Cheer State Championships, and I am excited to add to that legacy by offering clinics, sharing my knowledge, and creating new opportunities for athletes to grow,” Hosier said. “My vision is to foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and spirit that will make this program a source of pride for our athletes, our school, and the entire cheer community.”

As with other new athletics programs that have been introduced in recent weeks, including men’s and women’s bowling, men’s and women’s wrestling, and women’s flag football, Wittenberg’s new competitive cheer program has received financial support from alumni. Chuck ’79 and Shari Thompson ’81 said they see an investment in the cheerleading program as an investment in the University they love and the athletics experience they have always supported.

“Athletics has been as integral part of our family’s Wittenberg experience for over 50 years,” they said. “We are excited about the opportunity to support the formation of this competitive cheerleading program.”

Written By: Ryan Maurer