EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Department of Athletics and Vice President for Athletics Dr. Anne Crutchfield are pleased to announce that Makayleigh Smith has been selected as Head Cheer & Dance Coach. Smith will lead both the sideline cheer and dance squads during game day as well as the intercollegiate competitive programs.

"We are excited to welcome Makayleigh to the Emory & Henry family. Her experience as a dance teacher as well as her time leading the team as an undergraduate at Appalachian State as an undergraduate will be valuable as we take our cheer & dance programs to the next level," said Crutchfield. "We already see the new energy that she has brought to campus in a short period of time."

Smith joins the E&H staff with more than a decade of cheer and dance experience, most recently at Studio One in Kingsport, Tennessee. There she led classes in jazz, pom-pom routines and turns & leaps. She also spent nearly 10 years as a teacher, manager and choreographer at Bluefield Dance Theatre in Bluefield, West Virginia.

"I am so excited to begin my journey at Emory & Henry as the Head Cheer & Dance Coach," commented Smith. "There is so much potential on both teams within this program to really grow and become competitive."

She has competed and been involved in both UDA and UCA programs. As a high school athlete, competitive cheerleading and dancing was a grounding and motivating force for her. Drawing from her own experience, she knows how much of a difference the sport can make in the lives of young athletes. She is now looking to inspire the spirit squad at Emory the same way she once was.

"My biggest goal is for the teams to increase pride in Emory & Henry and pump up the game day atmosphere," Smith added. "Our program will be a good representative of the College and be involved in the community through community service and outreach. It is important for us to give back to the community which has provided so much support to our student-athletes."

As an undergraduate at Appalachian State University, Smith was the captain/student-coach of the ASU Dance Team. She was in charge of choreography for all on-field routines and led fundraising efforts to provide resources for costumes and travel expenses. Smith also made the schedule for the team, collaborating with different departments to ensure attendance at games, parades and other university events.

Smith completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre & Dance Studies with a minor in business management from Appalachian State in 2018.

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