Q&A with Rockledge HS head cheerleading coach Sarah Hardy
ROCKLEDGE, Fla. — A Q&A with Sarah Hardy who is the head varsity cheerleading coach at Rockledge High School.
How long have you been coaching?
Sarah Hardy: This will be my 7th year coaching cheerleading!
What is your background in this sport?
Hardy: I started cheering in elementary school at the Rockledge Youth Football & Cheerleading League, continued my cheerleading career at Rockledge High School and competed as an All-Star cheerleader throughout high school.
In what ways does the squad prepare for success during practices?
Hardy: I fully believe that the strength and conditioning program that we鈥檝e built (with the help of our awesome volunteer coach, Bo Smith) has transformed our program. Additionally, the fact that our athletes hold each other accountable and help uphold the high standards that our program has set. And I truly believe that enables us to accomplish so many new skills and to do incredible things with/for our community.
What are some of the most memorable moments for your squad?
Hardy: One of our most memorable moments came at the end of UCA Cheer Camp this summer. Our team really worked hard during the spring, the week before cheer camp and for four days straight at camp. Then they came together and pushed through so much to execute two really clean routines during the showcase, and it was so exciting to watch them work toward a common goal and really push for what they wanted. I was so excited to get a preview of what these athletes can do when they come together and use their talent, knowledge and skill as ONE.
How do you provide encouragement after a disappointing loss?
Hardy: The biggest thing I do is remind our athletes that our program operates using a CHAMPION MINDSET. Champions get down but are never defeated. Champions have bad days but are never 鈥渂ad鈥�. Champions refuse to give up, even when they鈥檙e down.
Describe your proudest coaching moment.
Hardy: I believe that I have a lot of exciting and pride-inducing coaching moments yet to come鈥ut getting competitive cheerleading officially added to Brevard Public Schools has to be one of the best so far. A group of us coaches, community members and admin worked really hard to get things moving and to give our athletes the opportunities that come from being a competitive high school cheerleader, and I鈥檓 so excited that we are finally putting things in motion. Also, hitting new extremely difficult stunts is always a favorite coaching moment. The athletes in our program are hitting difficult, challenging skills and it’s so exciting to watch their pride and determination shine through when things just 鈥渃lick鈥�.
What is the biggest life lesson you’ve learned from being a coach?
Hardy: I鈥檝e learned to keep pushing to do what is best for my athletes and my team and to recognize that even when someone or something says 鈥淣O鈥�, it might just mean 鈥渘ot right now鈥�. I鈥檝e also learned to never second-guess my gut instinct and that the needs of the team and our program must come before individual needs.
What legacy do you hope to leave as a coach?
Hardy: First, I hope that people will finally recognize that high school cheerleading IS a sport and that the participants are true ATHLETES. Secondly, I want my athletes to realize that they can do SO much more than they ever imagined; and that with dedication, selflessness, organization, persistence, honesty, and teamwork, incredible things can be accomplished. Also, I hope my athletes walk away from their experience in our program with LIFE skills that they can take with them wherever they may end up. Cheerleading is an incredible vehicle for teaching SO much about life and the world around us. Lastly, I want to continue the legacy of RAIDER PRIDE in our community. I always talk about what our school and community was like when I was a student at R.H.S., and I hope to get my athletes to understand the impact that having a strong community school can have on EVERYONE.
I am VERY grateful to have the support of so many people who help make our program a success.聽 From the R.H.S. administration, to the parents & families of our athletes and all of our community supporters we are so grateful to have so much encouragement and positive support on our side. They all enable us to do incredible things!
Also, I鈥檓 extremely thankful for my assistant coaches. They sacrifice so much time with their own loved ones and pour their love, time, passion & finances into our program just like I have. A huge shoutout to Justine and Kaylee for everything they do!
Finally, I just want to thank our athletes; I say every year that, because I don鈥檛 have any biological children, the cheerleaders are my kids 鈥� and it’s so true. A lot of these girls joined our program as freshmen, and it is SUCH a joy to watch them mature and grow up to become young adults. I love watching their love for our sport, school and community grow every day.
Our program has SO many exciting moments to look forward to in the next couple of months, and I am hopeful that our community will come together to support our athletes!
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