To be nominated for Coach of the Month, a coach must stand out from the rest, be someone the squad looks up to, and work hard to make their squad the best it can be. Jennifer Hine from Rutgers University in New Jersey is someone who fits into these categories, making her a perfect fit for April’s Coach of the Month.

Jennifer got to know the in’s and out’s of the Rutgers program when she cheered there as a student. So by the time she received the head coach position at Rutgers University, she already knew the strengths and weaknesses of the program.

She is currently the coach for both the all girl and coed teams. Danny Youssef, a member of the coed team says, “Jennifer has done an amazing job at bringing two totally different teams, with different skills and personalities, together under one spirit program.”

Jennifer believes bonding is the key to a successful team. One of the first places the squad starts to bond is at UCA Summer Camp. Every year they attend the camp held at Scranton University in nearby Pennsylvania along with 40 other cheer and dance squads from around the country. At camp they work together as a team learning new skills and working on techniques to improve their crowd leading skills.

Besides bonding at UCA camp, Jennifer makes sure the teams bond when they are at away football and basketball games, by setting up dinner for the two teams to eat together.

Danny adds, “Not only is she a hilarious person to be around, she is a very understanding, caring and sophisticated woman who challenges her squads to step up through perseverance and sportsmanship. That’s why I am proud to nominate Jennifer Hine for April’s Coach of the Month.”

Congratulations, Jennifer!