THE FLATS – Shana Spann has been named head cheer coach and director of spirit operations as part of the Georgia Tech cheerleading and dance program, the Yellow Jackets announced on Wednesday. Spann comes to The Flats on the heels of a four-year stint as head coach of Presbyterian’s cheerleading team, leading the Blue Hose since 2018.
“I am excited to begin this new journey at Georgia Tech and ready to take on a new role as the director of spirit operations,” said Spann. “I also look forward to continuing to build upon all of the Georgia Tech’s renowned traditions and enhancing the gameday atmosphere.”
During her time with the Blue Hose, Spann led Presbyterian to its second NCA College Nationals appearance in program history in 2021. Her squad earned a fifth-place finish in the Intermediate All-Girl Division I Finals.
In 2020, Spann propelled the Blue Hose to a Silver Paid Bid to the 2020 NCA College Nationals after competing at the NCA’s Myrtle Beach camp in August of 2019. The team was unable to compete, however, when nationals were canceled in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2018-19, the program’s inaugural competitive season, Spann propelled her squad to an eighth-place finish in the Intermediate All-Girl Division I competition at the NCA and NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championships.
Prior to her time at Presbyterian, Spann served as a senior coach with The Rock Athletics from 2016-18. Directly succeeding graduation, she began her coaching career as an assistant at Shorter from 2014-16 while serving on the senior staff for the Universal Cheerleaders Association from 2014-15.
“We’re looking forward to Shana leading our spirit programs,” added Georgia Tech assistant athletic director of marketing and fan experience Donielle White. “Her previous experience at the head coach and UCA levels will be an asset to the continued success of our squads.”
Spann was a four-year cheerleader as a student, winning three national championships. Her first two came at Shorter, and she won her third title after transferring to the University of West Georgia. After earning her bachelor’s degree in business management at West Georgia, Spann earned her master’s in business management in her return to Shorter as an assistant coach.
Along with her coaching acumen, Spann brings to The Flats experience in marketing coordination, promotional planning, event coordination, program building and branding. Spann was a marketing coordinator on top of her coaching duties at Presbyterian from 2021 through the remainder of her time with the Blue Hose.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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