Branch Named Nebraska Head Cheerleading/Dance Team Coach

Former University of Nebraska cheerleader Vera Branch has been hired as the Husker Head Cheerleading/Dance Team Coach. Branch brings an extensive background in cheering and in coaching spirit squads to Nebraska.

"We wanted to fill this position with a coach that not only understood the tremendous impact that the Nebraska spirit squads have on game day atmosphere, but who also recognized the important safety considerations that we had previously implemented," NU Associate Athletic Director Paul Miles said. "Vera is an experienced cheer instructor and choreographer who has demonstrated those qualities. We’re very excited to have her on staff."

Branch’s previous experience includes a five-year stint at Nebraska All-Star Tigers Cheer Gym in Omaha, where she served as an assistant coach from September of 1998 to March of 2003. While working with the Nebraska All-Star Tigers, Branch’s responsibilities included organizing and implementing practices for over 80 youth girls and serving as a team chaperone for local and national competitions. Branch also worked in Alabama for the National Cheerleading Association’s southeast region staff from 1996-1999. At the NCA, Branch supplied cheerleading and dance teams with choreography, worked to promote safety in stunting and organized private summer camps.

Branch was previously employed as the assistant director of the Belmont Recreation Center in Lincoln and for the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department in the division of Health Promotion and Outreach.

A native of Oxford, Ala., Branch graduated from the University of Nebraska in December of 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. While attending the University of Nebraska, Branch was a member of the NU Spirit Squad and served as head cheerleader in 2001.