It’s 8 a.m. at Allegacy Stadium. My teammates and I arrive for the day, arms full of bags, uniforms, pom-poms and snacks for later, in anticipation of Wake Forest to take on Georgia Tech in football.
Even during my second year on the cheerleading team, I find myself exhilarated by the game day environment.
For the first hours of the day, we touched up hair and makeup, ensuring the whole team was “game day ready.” We spent time on the field with the band, reviewed pre-game choreography, went over sideline routines and warmed up with stretches. Although we had already cheered at several games this season, the anticipation of seeing the stadium come alive in just a few short hours was a unique thrill.
“Preparing for game day is a lot of making sure everyone has what they need—snacks, bows, uniforms, gear, pep talks and hair spray,” Annie Forbes, head of the Wake Forest spirit program, said. “It’s a lot of physical prep work while also reviewing material and making sure the team feels ready. Most schools have managers to handle these things, but we take pride in doing it ourselves. It builds ownership.”
By 9:15 a.m., my teammates and I line up along the Deacon Walk at the entrance to the stadium, welcoming the football team into the stadium for our first appearance of the day. Fans’ energy encourages me to cheer loudly and smile big, especially as the Demon Deacon starts riding in on his motorcycle with the football team. The joy of fans and seeing children watch in awe reminds me that being a cheerleader is a special opportunity to make people’s days better. Deacon Walk is one of my favorite parts of game day because it sets the tone for everything that follows.
“The Deacon Walk is almost like the kickoff of the day as it’s the preview of the show,” Forbes said. “For us, it’s a rare chance to be fully in the mix with the community. Some of those moments become core memories for fans.”
The Georgia Tech game had even more excitement than usual. The ACC Network broadcast a special game day segment, featuring the new Head Coach for the 2025 football season, Jake Dickert. The cheer team, along with the dance team and Spirit of the Old Gold and Black (SOTOGB) were all featured in the broadcast as the background behind the reporters.
From there, we headed to the Gold Lot for a tailgate pep rally. I perform sideline dances and the fight song with my teammates, greeting family in town for Family Weekend, taking photos and eating a quick pre-game meal.
“Pep rallies and fan-facing events are priorities this season because they connect us directly to the community,” Forbes said. “We’re rebranding the program, and these personal experiences with fans help them invest in our spirit long-term. By being more accessible, we bring the excitement to them.”
At exactly 11:38 a.m., it is time for the pregame routine, waiting for our cue to run onto the field and get in position. Walking onto the field with the band playing behind us, I always feel a rush of adrenaline during game time. Our pregame routine is designed to fire up the crowd, ending with the fight song and by the time we finished, I could feel the stadium buzzing with energy for the football team to run out of the tunnel.
“I love getting to cheer for all the fans in the stadium,” junior cheerleader Logan Sullivan said. “From leading the ‘WAKE! FOREST!’ chant at kickoff to cheering at the hill, it is such a privilege to be a part of creating an electric game day atmosphere!”
Once the game begins, we split into our three groups— Bowtie, Tophat and Cain, an homage to the Demon Deacon. I spent the first quarter in front of the student section where I could feel the back-and-forth with the crowd and hear every cheer ripple through the stands. I spent the following quarters at various locations by the hill, where many families gather on the grass with their children. I love the families who come to the game and feed off their energy.
“Rotating sections throughout the game is intentional,” Forbes said. “It keeps the entire stadium engaged and makes sure every fan feels connected to the action, not just the student section.”
Halftime was extra special this week with Junior Spirit Day, which is an initiative through the Wake Forest Spirit Program that allows children to learn a short routine and perform it at a Wake Forest sporting event to showcase their best cheer and dance skills. Watching the “Mini Deacs” perform the dance they had been practicing made me smile as much as they did. Their nervous excitement was contagious and I found myself cheering harder to encourage them.
When the final whistle blew, my teammates and I gathered our signs, megaphones and flags. We circled up for a quick closing meeting with Head Cheer Coach Loveday-Donovan and assisting coaches, ending with our usual “Go Deacs!”
Although gamedays can be tiring, I wouldn’t trade the gameday experience for anything. It’s about more than just cheering, but representing Wake Forest, building tradition, connecting with fans and fueling the spirit that carries through every corner of the stadium. Each game reminds me why I continue to push myself, jump higher and cheer louder. In those moments, I am part of something bigger than myself.
“What makes Wake Forest cheerleaders unique is your ability to see the vision in the program, to advocate for yourselves, and to carry on a tradition not just for today, but for those who come after you,” Forbes said.
