(New Orleans, LA) On Friday, February 10th, Concordia University Ann Arbor Head Cheer Coach Kate Edge was given the Title IX Pioneer Award by the hosting Xavier University of Louisiana. The other two award winners recognized during the Battle in the Big Easy event were Dr. Angel Bettis, XULA Board of Trustees Member and Kerri Lee Alexander, Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs.
Edge was recognized for the work she has done in the NAIA to bring Cheer and Dance to Championship Sport status. The NAIA is the only collegiate governing body to recognize competitive cheer and dance as varsity sports. Edge has served on the NAIA Cheer Executive Coaches Board for 10 years, and continues to do so.
Xavier's Head Cheer Coach and Social Justice and Inclusion Officer, Glenn Caston was honored to recognize Edge at the event. "It was indeed our pleasure to celebrate and acknowledge Kate Edge. She continues to shape and help close equity gaps in the realm of collegiate athletics by using her voice as a platform to position cheer and dance athletes in the same manner as other athletes. The immutable fact is that cheerleaders and dancers have not always been valued or recognized as the athletes they are. However, Kate and the other founding NAIA Executive Committee members have been instrumental in refuting any doubt that cheerleaders and dancers deserve a seat at the table when it comes to sports conversation. Her unwavering commitment and dedication to this cause is one of many reasons she has been crowned a Title IX Pioneer!"
"I am equally honored and humbled by this award," said Edge. "I just do the work to make sure cheer and dance athletes are looked at and treated with equal support, as any other athlete, within their institutions and the NAIA. I have had amazing people to work alongside and we all champion these young men and women to receive the recognition their athleticism deserve. I am proud of the work everyone has done and continues to do, and proud to be a coach with the NAIA."
