HAMILTON – After thoughtful collaboration between cheer student leadership and the department of athletics, the cheer team will transition to a pom team to bridge the gap between cheerleading and the dance community that already exists at Colgate University. 

Led by Head Coach Taylor King, the pom team will preserve traditions, create new practices, and engage fans with a spirit inspired by the former Colgate cheer team. The team's mission is to enhance school spirit and elevate the fan experience at athletics events through fan engagement, dance, cheer, and pom routines. 

The pom team strives to bring talent, high energy, and Colgate spirit to the field and court to get fans excited about Colgate University and its sports teams. As the nature of the program has shifted from a focus on cheerleading to a blend of cheering and dance, all interested students who were members of the cheer team are required to audition for the pom team. 

The team's first performance will be at the football home opener on Sept. 16. Stay tuned for information about a Colgate Spirit Meet and Mingle prior to the homecoming football game on Oct. 14. Colgate Athletics, Coach Taylor, and pom captains Jenna and Lis are enthusiastic about the introduction of this new program as we value cheer, dance, and Colgate spirit. Any questions can be directed to Coach Taylor at tking@colgate.edu.

Taylor King, Pom Head Coach
Taylor, originally from Chapel Hill, N.C., is a dance artist, teacher, and choreographer with 10 years of professional experience. She is fluent in dance styles such as modern, jazz, tap, ballet, and hip-hop. She is looking forward to blending traditional cheerleading and dance team practices with her concert dance background in her work with the Colgate University Pom Team. Taylor is a graduate of East Carolina University with a bachelor of fine arts in dance performance and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a master of fine arts in choreography. This is her second year in Hamilton after joining the former Colgate University Cheer Team in February 2023 as a consultant.

Pom Team Auditions
Auditions for the 2023–2024 academic year will be held in 301 and 303 Huntington Gymnasium at 2 p.m. on Aug. 26. All Colgate students are welcome to audition at the start of the Fall semester. Individuals who have been recruited by Coach Taylor will be invited to audition at the start of the Spring semester in January. More details will be announced soon.