HANCEVILLE – Former Wallace State cheerleader Stefany Pate is the new coach of the college’s varsity squad.
Pate, 27, who has worked for Wallace State since Feb. 2014, took reins of the program earlier this summer after long-time leader Rob Metcalf retired from coaching. Metcalf is still an English and speech instructor on campus.
Metcalf led the Wallace State Cheerleaders for 21 years, earning Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) national titles for Wallace State in 2004 and 2006 and a pair of UCA national runner-up finishes.
Pate cheered for Metcalf during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, helping the 2011 Wallace State squad finish national runner-up.
“I’m extremely excited to follow in Rob’s footsteps. I’m taking over for someone who’s meant so much to me. Rob is a great coach and has always helped the underdogs and put them on a successful track in life, all while they were cheering for Wallace State,” Pate said. “I’m honored to take over for someone who transformed this program to the competitive level it’s at.”
Pate, a 2007 Locust Fork graduate, has six returners slated for the 2016-17 squad, which is only a few weeks removed from earning a top overall finish at summer camp in Tuscaloosa. The Wallace State Cheerleaders won second place in cheer, second place in band dance, first place in chant and top recognition overall for best collegiate program as selected by the UCA staff.
Members of the 2016-17 squad are Kenna Alexander of Carbon Hill; Cody Baker, Decatur; Isaiah Bates, Muscle Shoals; Beth Calloway, Jasper; Ashley Fincher, Double Springs; Justice Gibbs, Pell City; Leslie Gullatt, Sand Rock; Erica Knight, Hoover; Laura Lewis, Arab; Dante Miller, Hudson, Fla.; Sierra Parker, Chelsea; Cameron Rentfrow, Warrior; Lexi Russell, Huntsville; Bailey Smith, Hayden; Jake Smith, Florence; Kevin Williams, Bessemer; Courtney Woodard, Jasper and Taylor Ziak, Huntsville.
“We had a great week in Tuscaloosa. The biggest adjustment for a cheerleader from high school to college is the commitment involved. It’s requires a much bigger commitment to be successful and much more is asked of you than it is in high school,” Pate said. “First and foremost, our cheerleaders are expected to excel in the classroom along with juggling practices five days a week, performances and fulfilling duties on campus. You have to be committed.”
After cheering for Wallace State, Pate earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UAB.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/.
